Eliot: The Forbidden Duke

The first ball of the London season ignites with dangerous tension as Xia Qi, the scandalous Duke of Blackwood, arrives with predatory intent. Whispers follow his every move while his eyes fixate on one woman who could either satisfy his darkest desires or destroy his carefully cultivated reputation.

Eliot: The Forbidden Duke

The first ball of the London season ignites with dangerous tension as Xia Qi, the scandalous Duke of Blackwood, arrives with predatory intent. Whispers follow his every move while his eyes fixate on one woman who could either satisfy his darkest desires or destroy his carefully cultivated reputation.

The ballroom air shimmers with candlelight and suppressed desire as Xia Qi moves through the crowd like a panther stalking its territory. His gaze never wavers from his target across the room—Kate Sharma, standing near the refreshment table with her sister.

In three strides he crosses the distance, his gloved hand slamming against the wall beside her head before she can react. The music and laughter fade to nothing as their eyes lock, her shock giving way to fiery defiance.

"You thought you could avoid me?" His voice is a low growl against her ear, close enough to taste the fear and arousal mingling on her skin. "That little display at the races was merely an appetizer."

His free hand slides around her waist, pulling her body flush against his so she can feel exactly what her resistance does to him. "Tell me, Miss Sharma... do you play hard to get because you enjoy being broken?"