The Duke's Love (27 page)

“You are a little minx.” They returned to Ana’s home and unloaded their items.

“So,
what will it be?” Jake asked behind her.

“I would hate to be tied up
,
”
s
he said leaning into his chest.

They both exited Ana's front door and walked the two blocks to his townhouse.

Jake led her up to his massive chambers and stripped her of her clothes. Ana stood in front of him
,
gloriously naked
,
while he caressed her lovingly and slowly
,
and
building her pleasure.

“I love you
,
”
he
said as he started to strip himself.

“Do you mean that, after all I’ve put us through?” She asked unwilling to believe him.

“I never stopped
,
sweetheart
,
”
he
told her as he moved to the bed and settled her on top of him. Ana snuggled on top of him without trying to move things further along. Jake leaned, grabbed the blanket, threw it over them, settled back down, and held her. They were entwined together when the door opened unannounced.

“Well, there is nothing like being caught in a compromising position
,
” Jake whispered dryly.
Jordan
waltzed in the room and stopped short when he saw the figures on the bed.

“You are now caught red
-
handed Jake. Hello
,
Ana, my dear. I will come back at a better time,”
Jordan
laughed at her horrified expression before she buried her face in
Jake’s
chest.

“You can see you are interrupting us
,
” Jake said in an amused tone.
Jordan
just
chuckled
,
as he
quietly
closed the door.

“Oh my god, tell me that did not just happen?” Ana said
,
embarrassed with her face still hidden. His muffled words she could not make out
,
but his hands were sliding up and down her back
,
arousing her and making her forget about being caught red
-
handed. Jake rolled her over so he was on top and
began making
love to her
. Their lovemaking lingered
long into the night, making her forget everything else.

After
she woke up
the
next day
, things
were
chaotic. Ana
woke up in Jake's bed, which presented a problem. At least it was still dusk outside. She moved with stealth, not wanting to wake Jake.
Quietly she
had thrown
on her clothes and
sneaked
out into the crisp dawning light. She walked home, careful not to
let anyone see her,
although no one
had appeared to be
out. She had to break into her own home and was appalled by how easy she
managed
it.

Several hours later, she was eating breakfast
,
when Samuels announced a
visitor. It was
the
Viscount
. Ana was delighted to see a friendly face. She flung herself on him with a huge hug.

“Greg
ory
! I have missed you. It has been too long. Where have you been?” She asked
,
as she stepped back to let him inside
the door
.

“I wanted to give you time, it seemed you needed it. I heard the good news and then I had to come see for myself
,
”
he explained
. His face was filled with concern.

“I love him
,
Greg
ory
, you know that. I am happy
,
”
she
said honestly. They made their way to the dining room and Ana offered
him
breakfast.

“Are you going to
attend
the soirée tonight?” Greg
ory
asked as he sat down beside her.

"I wouldn't miss it. It will be the first as an engaged woman." Ana thought about this, really it wouldn't be the
first
, but she
didn't voice that aloud.

They were deep in conversation
, so
neither
of them
heard Jake enter the room.

Jake was already in a foul mood when he woke up this morning alone
,
and now to find Ana with another man, intense jealousy kicked in. “What the hell is this?” He snapped. Ana jumped and Greg
ory
calmly stood up and offered his hand.

“Your
Grace
, it is nice to see again and
in
such fine spirits
,
” Gregory
said sarcastically.  Jake shook his hand and sat down across from the man, sizing him up.

“Greg
ory
was just telling me
,
he thinks he found a woman suitable to marry
,
”
s
he said
,
oblivious to the tension from the two men. Ana smiled at him
,
which eased his inner turmoil
.
He
didn’t know much about the
Viscount
, other than he was one of Ana’s close friends. He still was not happy about it.

“I am sorry for my attitude. I don’t like waking up alone.” He made a clear statement to Greg
ory
. Ana’s face turned dark red and she opened her mouth to scold him
,
when Greg
ory interrupted
.

“Ana, I must tell you that one must never do that to a man, it doesn’t do our egos well
,
”
h
e chided.

Jake revised his opinion of the man. He easily relaxed and joined in the conversation they were having of the lucky
woman Gregory was pursuing
. Morning passed before anyone realized how late it was. Greg
ory
excused himself saying he had to ready himself for tonight.

With the
Viscount
gone, Jake wasted no time in kissing Ana. “Never leave in the middle of the night again. Do you understand me?” Jake
c
hided
. “You had no idea how much I have been worry
ing since I discovered you gone,” h
e
said
.

“Let’s say that you’re right, I’m wrong, you
win,
and I lose. Okay?” She interrupted.

“I’m not done
,
”
h
e said, losing his steam.

“I hear
making up after an argument
the best, but I’m rather impatient so let’s say we fought and get on with it
,
”
s
he said daringly.

“God
,
I love you
,
” Jake growled as he tried to take her there on the table, regardless of the servants roaming around.

She laughed as she dashed off. Jake
ran after
her like a hunter pursuing its prey. Jake
grabbed
her before she even made it to the door
and then he
wasted no time. He sat her on the edge of the dining room table, flipped up her
skirt,
and found the slit in the fabric between her legs. Ana was kissing his neck, clearly impatient. She was trying to undo the buttons of his trousers. He shoved her
fingers
aside and undid himself
.
He entered her in one hard thrust. They were both moaning and making noise. They made love fast and hard
,
and in no time at all
,
they both climaxed at the same time.

“Did I hurt you?” He asked, aware of how rough he was with her. Twice now, he could not control himself. He felt heat climb up his neck. She deserved better than this.

“Can we do it again?” She grinned.

"No, we have to stop this
,
you impish girl! I know you are new at this
,
but even I need to slow down
,
"
h
e teased.

They took a bath together to save time
, but
by the time they were ready for the soirée, they would arrive late. 

Katherine was pacing. They were late for their engagement ball. Although
,
it was a surprise,
and
they thought it was a soirée. She still did not believe they were late. “Where are they?” She asked
Jordan
as
he walked up
to
her.

“I have a good idea
,
but I don’t want to burn your sensitive ears.” He chuckled at her outraged expression.

“Of all nights, they have to pick this one to indulge their fancies
,
”
s
he cried.

“What are we indulging ourselves with?” Ana said
,
sneaking up on Katherine.

“Thank god!” She cried.

“Enjoy yourself?”
Jordan
teased.
As she stepped closer to Jake
,
Ana blushed.

“Of course we did
,
” Jake pulled her in to his side.

Katherine stepped up and got everyone’s attention. “Ladies and gentleman, May I have your attention.” She waited until the room became quiet. “As you all know, my son
has
decided to marry and I couldn’t be happier. Lady Worthington and I have decided to throw a surpri
se engagement party.  Everyone congratulate the Duke of Ashbury and Lady Ana Carmichael
.” Katherine stepped down and was proud of herself. Ana was glowing and she couldn’t miss Jake’s happiness showing on his face. Katherine watched as the guests of honor mingled with
the
guests, taking in the good-natured
ribbing
and taunts. Jake never left Ana’s side; it was clearly a love match. No one noticed when Jake and Ana slipped out via opposite doorways.

Jake met Ana around the side of the ballroom. The area of the house they chose was deserted. “What do you think of the ball
,
future Mrs. Jake Trent?
My beautiful Duchess.
” He lifted her up and spun her around. “Let’s get away
,
”
h
e said.

“Away? You mean go home?” She asked.

“Let’s run off to Greta Green
,
”
h
e said.

“Jake, you can’t be serious, you’re a
Duke
.” Ana was stunned.

Jake led her to an empty room and closed the door behind them. Ana’s smile froze as she saw someone was sitting in the
darkened room
. Jake moved Ana behind him. The figure stood up and they both sa
w at the same time that it Miss Fairchild
.

“Sarah, why are you here?” Ana asked shakily.

“Sarah
,
why are you
here?
Sarah
,
give it up
.
Sarah go to your room
.
” Sarah mocked. They saw she was wielding a gun. “Well if it isn’t the loving couple
,
”
s
he sneered.

“Put down the gun
,
Sarah
,
” Jake said slowly. Ana was
too frightened
to move. She
was watching every move
Sarah
made
.

“You know it is really sad this is my third attempt to get rid of you
,
Ana
,
”
s
he said.

“The third time?” Ana questioned.

“This is just great
,
” Sarah laughed. “The tea didn’t work and you don’t even remember
how
you
fell
down the stairs
,
”
s
he continued.