The Duke Takes a Wife Read online

  He couldn’t stand any more. Jasper pulled her roughly up his body and against his chest before taking her lips in a hunger-filled kiss. He needed to touch her and slipped his hand between their bodies to her pussy. She was slick and wet. Without hesitation he slid his two fingers deep inside her. Zeva arched and she cried out his name. He fucked her with his fingers, loving how she trembled as the first echoes of her orgasm began.

  “That’s what I want, I need you to come for me,” he growled.

  She was amazing and beautiful to watch as she took his digits deep. Her back was arched in enjoyment, lips parted as she panted and she offered him her breasts as she writhed above him.

  “You’re like liquid heat around my fingers, take it all luv, that’s it,” he coaxed her softly.

  His thumb circled the sensitive nub of flesh in between the soft folds of her pussy. He gorged himself on every nuance of her reactions. From the way her body rose and fell, to the way her thighs tensed when a new level of sensation peaked within her. With every movement he felt the wetness of her essence drip down and coat his fingers.

  “I’m going to come.” Her voice was breathless, urgent. “Jasper, oh Jasper.”

  The way she said his name and how her body shuddered drove him wild. He pressed his digits deeper inside her and pulled her close so he could kiss her and hungrily penetrate her mouth with his tongue. Her second release came with a scream and her body trembled. Jasper was beyond a frenzy to take her. The need to bury his cock inside consumed his being.

  She eagerly poised over his erect cock, and Jasper pulled her down on his waiting shaft. The feeling of her hot, slick pussy enclosing around his engorged cock and the muscles clenching around him, tore a guttural cry from his lips. The sheer pleasure of her body undulating above him almost sent Jasper into his own orgasm. He gritted his teeth, restrain and control of their pleasure was an effort to maintain. Slowly their pace increased until a sheen of dampness coated her skin when he ran his hands down the valley of her breasts to cup them. He feasted on the ebony globes, taking the dark areolas into his mouth, deep, until her urgent piston-like motion on his cock took the last of his control.

  She leaned over and kissed him fiercely. “Come with me, don’t let me go alone.”

  “Yes.” Jasper heard the raw sound in his own voice.

  He grabbed her hips and thrust upwards to meet her, and their breathing echoed and became a mirror of each other. His was harsh and primal, while hers were whimpers and soft cries while he pounded inside her. His groan mixed with her cries of bliss as they went over and into the sexual abyss of release. Jasper didn’t stop moving until he drove her to a second release.

  Zeva fell against his chest and his arms automatically wrapped around her, cocooning her in his loving embrace as he turned to his side so he could lay her on the bed. Jasper couldn’t seem to stop kissing or bring himself to release her from his arms, and Zeva didn’t seem to want to move. They fell asleep that way, with her pliant body next to him and her chocolate thigh thrown over his thigh.

  Chapter Six

  It was definitely a culture shock. Zeva looked around as they drove from the manor house into town. Blyth, Northumberland was near the coast, and from her research there was the River Blyth and some moors around the area that led to rocky bluffs that overlooked the sea. It used to be a town built on coal mining and sea trade, specifically salt, and used to be the main trading area for pulp to make newspapers from Scandinavia. The town was re-developed over the years to bring in more industry after the eighteen hundreds to increase the population and to increase investment into the town.

  As she looked around, it was like being transported back to early England with quaint two story shops and restaurants. Jasper had explained that many people lived in the apartments over their businesses. But scattered in there were one or two small apartment buildings as well. He had described the manor house where he lived as simple, and the night when she arrived she was too tired to comprehend the magnitude of her new home. It was a mansion made of stone, or a small castle, with at least ten bedrooms and just as many bathrooms, a formal dining room, family room, game room, indoor pool, solarium, and a kitchen that was bigger than her entire apartment.

  He didn’t keep a staff, and they were alone there so she could putter around and explore. There was also a library, with a window seat and a large stone fireplace. The master bedroom had a woman’s sitting room that was all her, with a full claw foot bathtub. Jasper had decked it out with flowers just for her, and in between her complete astonishment and slight fear of her new home the intimate action from her husband made her feel welcome. After sleeping in late, they got up together and made breakfast in the humongous kitchen, and he gave her a guided tour of the manor and his workshop.

  She saw pieces of his work in various stages of completion and ran her hand over some of the smooth wood etched with Celtic knot work. He is more than talented, she thought as she traced some of the intricate designs. After another round of mind blowing sex in the very large bed she would now share with him, they showered together and took one of the cars into town. The whole marriage thing seemed to be meant for them because they had the newlywed thing down to a science.

  “So you know you downplayed the manor and your work,” Zeva commented mildly as they drove slowly through the countryside.

  He glanced at her quickly before looked back at the road. “How so?”

  She poked him in the shoulder. “You live in a mansion, Duke Jasper McTavish, and your workshop is huge and you are completely an artist with amazing talent.” He grinned. “If you keep that up I may start blushing.”

  “Just stating the facts, darling,” she teased and watched him frown. “What’s wrong, what did I say?”

  “I dislike the word ‘darling’, it’s something my mother says all the time. I cannot stand the word,” he explained.

  “Duly noted,” she murmured and kept silent. It was just a bit hurtful that he would equate something she said in affection to his mother.

  He kept one hand on the steering wheel and reached over to take her hand on her lap with the other. “Hey, don’t be mad, it’s my issue. I’ll learn to deal with it.”

  “I’m not mad, I’m wondering how much I’ll have to deal with from not only your mother but from you and the trauma she has put you through,” Zeva admitted.

  “I’m hoping none,” Jasper replied. “But this is years and years of her treachery and abuse I’m trying to navigate, and as soon as she is out of my life it will be perfect.”

  “We’ll see,” Zeva said. She was starting to wonder what she actually got herself into. It was as if she was placed as a wedge between the issues of him and his mother.

  They finally got into town and pulled up in front of a large pub style restaurant named Haile’s Tavern. When they went inside Zeva could see how Joan and Ralph had brought a piece of the U.K back with them in how they decorated their own pub in D.C. The love of polished wood and leather, brass and ornate fixtures seemed to be prevalent among pub owners. As soon as some of the guests saw them come in, the loud whispers of excitement started up. She looked around as they waited for the owner who was Jasper’s friend and saw a toddler staring at her in interest. Zeva started up a game of peek-a-boo with the baby who began giggling, much to the mother’s delight.

  Jasper noticed the interaction and murmured in her ear, “You can go over and say hello.”

  Zeva glanced at him. “I don’t want to interrupt their meal, that’s rude. I just love kids.”

  Jasper squeezed her hand that he was holding. “They are quite friendly here and as Duchess they kind of expect it.”

  “Are you sure?” she asked hesitantly. “After your mother’s outburst last night, I don’t want to offend anyone with my dark skin.”

  “That was her, luv, she doesn’t reflect Northumberland or the people that live here at all. Haile will take a minute, go say hello; you’ll be living here after all.”

  Zeva smiled. “O
kay.”

  She slipped her hand from his and walked over hesitantly to the mother and the toddler in the wooden high chair. The baby, like her mom, had a head full of brunette curls and wide hazel eyes. Her mom had a few tattoos that could be visibly seen and a wide smile on her face as Zeva approached.

  “Hi, I’m...”

  “The new Duchess, I know,” the woman gushed. “Nice to meet you ma’am.”

  “No, please, just Zeva.” She tried not to grimace at the formality of being called ma’am. “And who is this?”

  “This is Brittany, my daughter, I’m Tori, her mum,” she answered and laughed. “Of course I’m her mum, I’m just nervous about meeting royalty.”

  “I’m just little old me.” Zeva held out her hand to the baby and Brittany slapped her chubby hands against hers happily. “How old is she?”

  “She’s two,” Tori answered and looked down with a red face. “I’m a single mum, you may hear about me around town. I dance in a club one town over to make ends meet.” Then she added quickly. “But I also work at the market, too. But you may not want to associate with me or my girl here.”

  Zeva was shocked. She had more respect for a young woman who was willing to do what she must for her child and to live than just tossing the baby girl into the system to be raised by strangers. Zeva didn’t have a clue who her family or parents were. At least Tori was trying her hardest for her baby girl.

  “I’m just fine knowing you and your adorable little bit right here,” Zeva said firmly. “In fact, if you ever need anything you come to the manor house and find me, and if I’m in town you come on up and we’ll grab lunch and have a grand old time. Anyone who doesn’t like it can kiss my grits.”

  Tori grinned. “You certainly are not like the Duke’s mum or the rest of the family.”

  “I hope not.” Zeva winked. “It was nice to meet you, Tori... and you, little miss Brittany.”

  “It was wonderful you came over to speak with us, Duchess, thank you,” Tori said gratefully.

  “Bye now,” Zeva said and touched Brittany’s nose with her finger, making the little girl giggle.

  Zeva waved and walked back to where Jasper stood waiting with a very large red-headed gentleman with a beard. He was wearing a sweater and a pair of faded jeans and dark boots. He reminded Zeva of the men she read about in books who went out to sea and came back home with a catch of fish to support their family.

  “Zeva, this is Haile, my oldest friend in the world,” Jasper introduced him. “Haile, this gorgeous lady is my wife.”

  Haile’s smile was wide beneath his beard, revealing pearly white teeth. “You finally got someone to marry your scrawny arse?” He laughed loudly and took her hand, kissing it gently. “It is very nice to finally meet you, Duchess.”

  “Please... Zeva,” she said with a smile of her own. “Everyone here is so nice but formal.”

  He laughed. “Wait until the weekend pints start flowing and the dart games start up, it can be downright brutal.”

  “I may have to come into town for that one. I’m pretty proficient in that game,” Zeva said.

  “Oh, yeah.” Haile looked at her with interest and took her hand to lead her to a private booth in the pub. “Jasper, it seems you hit the jackpot with this one. Tell me, Zeva, do you have any sisters, or cousins as fair as you looking for a ginger in their life?”

  Zeva laughed. “Unfortunately no, but I will keep an eye out.”

  “I’ll be back with a few pints,” Haile promised. She watched his large frame stride over to the bar, eating up the space with only a few steps.

  “He seems nice,” she commented to Jasper.

  Jasper looked over his shoulder at his friend at the bar getting their drinks. Haile promptly threw up his middle finger at his friend and Jasper chuckled. “Haile is a good man. He moved here from London about fifteen years ago and bought this pub, and before that we were mates at school. As you can see, he has no training at all in social graces.”

  “He doesn’t seem to care about your title,” Zeva commented.

  “He’d piss on my title if it was on paper. Haile was part of the royal army and SAS for years. The man did duty for God and country, he deserves more respect than any title waver should get.”

  “Well, it seems we have something in common, me and him,” Zeva said.

  Jasper gave her a mock stern face. “I’ve already got you, don’t try to jump ship for the military man.”

  “Honey, I don’t think he can do for me what you do.” Zeva leaned over to kiss him.

  “And don’t you forget it,” he said against her lips.

  “If you’ll stop trying to suck her face off mate, I have beers,” Haile said. He’d managed to grab three pint glasses with his large hands and placed them on the table. “Drink up.”

  Zeva took a sip of the ice-cold beer and sighed. “This is wonderful.”

  “I’m glad the duchess is pleased.” Haile lifted his glass in a salute and took a large gulp. “When Jasper told me he married an American, and an army girl no less, I was shocked.”

  “Why?” Zeva asked.

  “Not his usual type when it comes to women,” Haile answered honestly. “I thought his mum would surely marry him off to some uptight, highbrow twat and we’d never see him again. But he came home raving about you, and you’re unlike anyone in his life, or his mother for that matter.”

  “Lucky for you both he found me,” Zeva replied without batting an eye.

  Haile laughed loudly. “Cheers to that.”

  Haile called over one of his waitresses and they ordered their meals. While waiting, they chitchatted back and forth, but most of the conversation was between Jasper and Haile. Zeva listened and silently assessed them both. As they spoke she started to feel less like a new wife and more like a chess piece in a long-going game. She kept silent and focused on her steak with gravy and red potatoes, getting more irritated as each minute passed by.

  “Did you happen to find what I was looking for?” Jasper asked.

  “Yes I did.” Haile looked up from his beef stew and spoke as he broke a wedge of bread off the chunk beside his bowl. “Lillian Edwards lives in Deal, Kent, a nice cottage that overlooks the coast. I put eyes on her. She seems happy and very much unattached.”

  “Good, I’ll go see her in the next week or two and see if I can get this into the works,” Jasper replied. “Any new information on my mother, Patrice or Patricia?”

  “They’ve been quiet, but I’m sure there will be more activity now that you’ve brought Zeva home and they try to circumvent your marriage.”

  ‘They can try, they’ll fail. I still have the final piece of ammunition in my cache.” Jasper smiled wickedly.

  Haile took a sip of his drink. “Good to know.”

  “And since this has nothing to do with me, I should go. Car keys, please Jasper,” Zeva said crisply.

  They both looked at her and Jasper said, “What?”

  “Oh, you remember I’m here now,” Zeva said. “Look, you have family business or plotting to discuss, fine, but why drag me along. I could’ve well stayed home and made my own dinner.”

  “You’re in trouble mate,” Haile said gleefully. Zeva gave him a withering look and he instantly went silent.

  “Zeva, it’s not like that. I wanted you to meet my friend, see the town,” Jasper replied.

  “I saw the inside of the pub and listened to you and Haile hatch plans,” Zeva said stiffly. “If you’re done I’d like to go.”

  “The tab is on me. Take your wife home and grovel, lots of groveling,” Haile said. “Nice to meet you, Zeva, you saucy thing.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she replied as Jasper slid from the booth so she could get out.

  “We’ll talk soon, Haile, thanks,” Jasper said stiffly.

  “Anytime.”

  She heard his friend respond but was already a few steps ahead of Jasper heading to the door. She stood by the Mercedes, and when Jasper unlocked the door she got inside withou
t waiting for him to hold the door. He walked around and slid into the drivers seat before starting the car and driving away silently back to the manor house.

  “So you have nothing to say?” Zeva said finally.

  “I do not like arguments.” Jasper’s voice was firm and held a note of finality. “I’ve watched too many of them throughout the years.”

  “So you plan to have none at all?” Zeva said. “We are married, we’re going to have arguments. It’s when we stop trying to hash things out and go quiet that’s the big problem.”

  “I don’t see why you are upset,” Jasper said.

  “For one, you take me out and spend the evening talking about your mother and family,” Zeva pointed out. “I’m started to feel less like your wife and more like a pawn used to piss your mother off in this war you are waging with her.”

  “I’m sorry if I made you feel that way,” Jasper sighed. “That’s certainly not the case.”

  “From my point of view it sure looks that way,” Zeva replied. “We got married, had one night together, and were separated for three months until I arrived here. I’m technically on my third day and we should still be in the honeymoon phase learning about each other, hell, drinking champagne off each other’s bodies. Instead, we are at a pub strategizing and looking for people and secret weapons.”

  “That all sounds lovely but I can’t give my mother an ounce of space to try to outsmart me,” Jasper defended his actions.

  “At the expense of us?” Zeva asked unbelievingly. “What if you two are going at each other for years, should I wait until it’s all over for us to start a life together, a real one with love and children? Do you want to be like your Uncle Brewster and lose it all? Or am I just a tool to be used in this battle of wits with you and your mother? If that’s what you are asking me, then you are selfish and you should have spelled that shit out before we got married.”