KATHERINE

"Shhh," he brings a finger to his lips, signaling for me to stay quiet.

I immediately press my lips together. The Duke closes the door and steps closer, his brow furrowed as his gaze drops to my chest.

I watch as he sits on the edge of the bed, my mind a whirlwind of memories, my urge to bombard him with a thousand questions barely contained.

He leans toward me, and I shudder at the closeness, his deep, low voice pouring into my ear.

"Don't call me by my title here. No one can know ou