Duke by Tressie Lockwood Page A

She grabbed the door handle, turned, and pulled. Duke moved up behind her and shut the door. The hair on her arms stood up, and the heat from his body warmed her. She couldn’t help the shiver and hoped he would miss it. Why would she be attracted to such a man when all her adult life she had been strong enough to deal with whatever came her way?
    Duke towered over her and laid a hand beside her head against the door. “If you convince me you aren’t attracted to me the way I am to you, then you can go.”
    “Bite me.”
    “Is that what you’re in to?”
    “It’s an old expression.”
    “I know.” The bastard shifted his hand as if he would stroke along her arm, but he didn’t. The proximity, his actions, and his nearness had the same effect as if he had touched her. She swallowed and shut her eyes. If she counted to ten, she might get out of this situation unscathed.
    “I don’t want you,” she lied.
    “Hmm, not convinced.”
    She looked at him. “You can’t hold me prisoner in here, Duke.”
    “If you felt I was keeping you prisoner, you would fight. I can see it in your eyes that you’re that type of woman. It’s not me who’s holding you here.”
    Her heart hammered. “You’re too full of yourself.”
    “Kiss me. I’ll believe it if you don’t feel anything.”
    “You’re insane.” She spun to face him and then realized her mistake too late. He moved in nearer, pinning her against the door. His body skimmed hers, but he separated them just as quickly, as if he hadn’t meant to go that far. The slight connection shattered her mind. Was she so lonely she would get excited over this man, who was clearly all wrong for her? She hadn’t had a lover in two years, so her common sense in that arena must be rusty.
    “I joke around a lot, Kiyah.” He whispered the words, bringing his face down until their mouths were inches apart. “But right now I’m dead serious. I want to fuck you.”
    She panted. “H-hell n-no.”
    “You don’t sound sure.”
    She raised her chin, but that only brought her lips closer to his. “I’m sure.”
    The claim was so weak as to be laughable. His eyes glittered with amusement. She realized what he intended a second before he brought his mouth down on hers. Self-preservation said to keep her lips stiff and closed. Desire overruled. She arched her back, brought her hands up to his chest, and greedily kissed him.
    The clothes she’d held fell to the floor when he pressed her to the door. He dipped his knees and ground tighter against her body. She bit off a cry of pleasure at feeling his hard-on. He must be huge, going from the impression, and her pussy grew wet in anticipation.
    No, Takiyah. Push him back before it’s too late. You’re not this type of woman.
    Instead of pushing him away, she stretched up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Taking the initiative, she stuck her tongue into his mouth and moaned. Duke encircled her waist and pulled her tight to his chest. When he lifted her off her feet, he stole her breath.
    “Mm,” he muttered against her mouth, “wrap your legs around my waist. You’re so damn hot, baby. I want to get inside you.”
    She gasped and pulled away. He let her down gently to her feet, and she turned her head while trying to pull herself together. Duke touched her chin and raised it. She brushed his hand away.
    “Let me in your bed tonight, Kiyah.”
    “Are you crazy?”
    “Is it crazy that we want each other and that we go after what we want?”
    “It is when you’re dating my friend.”
    “I’m not dating her, and if it will make you feel better, I’ll take her home now and let her know we won’t have a repeat of tonight.”
    She stared at him, angry that he was so cavalier about both her and Adele. In all the years they had been friends, she and Adele kept their friendship first, before men. They never crossed each other, although there had been plenty of men who Takiyah looked at but who didn’t give her a