All Chapters of A LADY FOR A DUKE : Chapter 171 - Chapter 180

The ride back to Susan's apartment had been quiet. They'd left Caroline's party before it ended, and Susan was eager to find out what had suddenly put Leo in such a bad mood. He didn't seem to be in the mood to talk, even when she asked repeatedly if he was alright. Finally giving up, but still worried, Susan sat back in her chair and simply looked out the window. Slowly, her feelings grew from concern to anger, and when they finally got inside her apartment, she was just angry. She began to head straight for her bedroom. It had been such a nice day, she thought, with the Christmas tree shopping, eating and decorating, and now she had no idea what had ruined it. Or what she'd done to ruin it. Leo watched her as she walked away. She looked very sexy in that dress she was wearing. It was a simple gown, but it was also short and looked even shorter due to her pregnant belly. It bared her shoulders and showcased her breasts, while the skirt was decorated with fluffy flowers of fabric.H

How was it that he never tired of looking at her? She wasn’t the kind of woman who strutted into a room and stunned every man with her breathtaking beauty. She was much more subtle than that. So soft and feminine, but sturdy somehow. Cute and sassy, and almost wholesome, until she opened her mouth and fired off a dose of attitude. They'd come so far in such a short period of time, and he could admit that her presence in his life had changed him. Made him become a better man, even when he didn't want to. Her quiet, determined nature fascinated him.He’d met more than his share of women over the years, through business or socially, but he couldn’t recall ever knowing anyone quite like her. “Does she kick yet?” he asked suddenly, his voice rough with emotion.Susan’s lips curved into a soft smile. “She has, once or twice. It’s… surprising, in the best way.” She let out a light laugh.His gaze dropped to her stomach, his hands still resting there. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for that,” he

Leo muttered something under his breath about “too many choices,” but he dutifully grabbed a pack of each size and tossed them into the cart.Next, they headed to the stroller section. Susan examined a sleek, lightweight model, testing how easily it folded. “What do you think of this one?”Leo frowned, leaning down to inspect the wheels. “Is it sturdy enough? What if it hits a bump? Or what if the brakes fail?”“Leo, it’s a stroller, not a tank,” Susan said, suppressing a laugh. “It’ll be fine.”Still, he waved over a salesperson, grilling them on the stroller’s safety features until Susan had to tug him away. “I didn’t know you’d be this protective,” she teased.He glanced at her, his expression softening. “I just want her to be safe, that’s all.”Susan shot him a look, but she said nothing. They chose the stroller and moved on to the cribs. This time, Susan let Leo take the lead as he inspected each one meticulously. After much deliberation, they settled on a white crib with simple,

Susan couldn’t sleep.She lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She wondered if it had been a mistake to ask Leo to stay. The knowledge that he was just a room away, stretched out on her couch, sent ripples of unease and anticipation through her.She turned onto her side, clutching the pillow tighter, trying to will herself into some semblance of calm. But her efforts were futile. Images danced unbidden in her mind—memories of the two of them tangled in sheets, his touch lingering on her skin. Her breath quickened, and she squeezed her eyes shut, willing the thoughts away.This is ridiculous, she told herself. You’re overthinking.But now her throat was dry, and she was thirsty.Swinging her legs off the bed, she padded to the door, careful not to make a sound as she eased it open. The cooler air of the living room brushed against her skin, and she realized she’d forgotten her robe. No matter, she decided, pulling her nightgown tighter around her

The sensations were getting sharper, the fiery ache in her pelvis stronger, and then her body jerked and flew into orgasm and she was crying out and shaking in receipt of the indescribably intense waves of devouring pleasure. For a minute or two she lay with her skin hot and damp with perspiration, cradled in the warmth of his embrace.“You were more than worth waiting for, baby,” Leo declared, smoothing her hair back from her flushed face with gentle fingers.Her lashes lifted and she focused dreamily on the lean, darkly handsome face so near to hers. She shifted closer still and hugged him, all the deep affection of her nature surging to the fore in the aftermath of that powerful physical release. She wondered when it had happened, when exactly she had fallen head over heels in love with a guy she had continually told herself she felt nothing for… That she shouldn't and couldn't feel something for. That day they met? The first time he kissed her? After they had sex? The weeks afte