I swear he gulped.
Chapter 14
Noah
I hung up with Gray and fell back on my bed, looking out the window of the townhouse to the London neighborhood beyond, missing the hell out of her, wanting to be with her and be the guy who filled that empty suit of armor. The guy who investigated the noises and chased the ghosts away. Lord of the castle. Lord of her heart. I felt isolated and alone now that the phone connection was broken. I couldn't even call my best friend and spill my woman problems—Gray was the friend I always called for advice.
She had to mention that egg. She had to tease me and flirt with me and torment me. I didn't think she even knew how much. She had to fan the flames of the slow burn that had lingered just beneath the surface so long it was part of who I was, constantly threatening to become an inferno. A single errant spark could set it off, something as simple as a flirty smile that caught me off guard. And once I finally, genuinely lost control…
I didn't want her to see how I really felt about her. I couldn't be that vulnerable before her. Or anyone. Not, at least, until I knew she felt at least partially the same. The intensity of my love and passion would scare her off. Maybe forever. She wasn't ready for it. I was playing the long game. I had time now. I hoped. But I'd paid the devil's price. And it was only a matter of time before I couldn't hide it anymore.
The way I burned for her was damned inconvenient. It took tight control and boundless energy to rein it in. So much subterfuge, pretending our newfound sexual passion was an unexpected benefit and not something I'd dreamed of for years.
Our wedding night had been heaven. And hell. I was an experienced lover, but I'd felt like a boy ready to come at the sight of a naked breast. That night had been the sexual performance of my life. Everything had rested on it. Even now, thinking about it made my pulse race. The look on Gray's face when she climaxed…
I thought of Gray every fucking minute of every fucking day. One touch, one night, would never be enough. I wasn't sure a lifetime would be. Potent and perfect. Utterly addictive. A drug I couldn't live without.
No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get her out of my mind. I couldn't concentrate.
What had I done? I'd tricked her. I'd ruthlessly used my situation to get her.
I consoled myself that I'd done it for many admirable reasons. But I'd done it for as many selfish ones. And I'd do it again, given the choice. I knew I would.
I wasn't so different from Hardly, really. I was an achiever, just like he'd been. When I wanted something, I worked hard for it. But in the end, I always got what I wanted, one way or another.
I'd bet everything on winning both the estate and Grace. Now, no matter what I had to do, or how I had to do it, I would get what I wanted. There was no way I was losing, no matter what Hardly threw in my path. And the old man was throwing plenty, including the lush and sensuous Lady Bret.
* * *
NEXT UP: A hauntingly beautiful castle, a vast fortune on the line, and threats to Grace’s life and her marriage with Noah.
Get CASTLED FOREVER. The conclusion to Grace and Noah’s story.
About the Author
Gina Robinson is the bestselling and award-winning author of the popular Switched at Marriage, Billionaire Duke, and Billionaire Matchmaker romantic comedy series, featuring a billionaire in a surprising marriage of convenience, a billionaire who inherits a British dukedom, and a billionaire who partners with a matchmaker, the Reckless and Rushed contemporary new adult romance series, and the Agent Ex series of humorous romantic suspense novels. Her books have delighted readers and received praise in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Romantic Times Book Reviews.
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Castled: Duke Society Series Page 12