Page 58 of Sinfully Daring

Sebastian studied her face, willing her to turn towards him, hoping she might want him to kiss her. She shifted on the settee, inching closer and leaning into him. He slid an arm about her waist, to which she did not object. Slowly, she turned her head, staring up at him, before tilting her face to his, offering her mouth to him. He pressed his lips to hers, careful not to spook her as a bolt of pure hunger shot directly to his groin.

In an instant, Sebastian’s heart had rocketed from a steady thud to careen about behind his ribs. Calm yourself, you damn fool; he cursed inwardly, but it had been too long, so very long, since a woman had wanted him for himself. Oh, perhaps the ladies he occasionally visited at the Orchid House had desired him, but when there was money on the table it was never possible to be certain of that, and Sebastian had never favoured such bloodless couplings with no emotion involved. Not a problem now, he thought wryly. Years of unspent lust warred with the desire to protect Rosamund from the least harm. He would not ruin the chance he’d been given by taking things too fast, not if it killed him… which was a distinct possibility, considering he was already hard as a rock, and he’d barely kissed her. He kept his kisses careful, gentle, aware that he had overwhelmed her earlier. Unintentionally to be certain. She’d overwhelmed him, too, and threatened to do so again as her tongue darted out to touch his lips.

His breathing hitched, but he was not about to deny the lady if she wished to explore. He opened his mouth for her, allowing her to take the lead, encouraging her by pulling her closer into his arms. She came willingly, relaxing against him, and Sebastian experienced a thrill of elation. Good God, he was acting like a schoolboy, but how could he not? He was too used to feeling rejected, to having Adelia stiffen with disgust if he touched her, turn her head away to avoid a kiss, though he had given up on even that years ago. Thoughts of his wife dampened his ardour as his guilt resurfaced at once. Rosamund pulled back, immediately aware of the change in him.

“Did I do something wrong?”

His heart clenched at the worry in her eyes.

“Sweet girl, as if you could,” he said, stroking her cheek. He shook his head, giving her a crooked smile.

Rosamund studied him, not finding it difficult to unravel his thoughts. “She was cruel to you, Sebastian. She shut you out and did everything in her power to torment you. I know one ought not speak ill of the dead, but she was not kind. I do not pretend to understand her, and perhaps if I did I might have more sympathy, for I do not believe she was happy, but she made you unhappy too, for years and years, and that grieves me. You don't owe her another day of unhappiness. You have given her enough of those already.”

He stared at her, his throat tight with emotion, with gratitude for her words. “I am falling in love with you at a quite startling rate, do you realise that?”

There was a quick little intake of breath as her eyes widened, and then she smiled, bright and so dazzling he felt blinded by it. “Kiss me,” she demanded, and reached for him.

Happy to oblige, Sebastian pulled her close again, kissing her deeply as she sighed and wriggled closer.

“Oh, bloody hell!”

Rosamund squeaked with alarm and pushed at his chest before turning to glare at the door where her brother stood. “Jules!” she exclaimed furiously. “Go away!”

“Damned if I will. Really, Hargreaves, I know you’re marrying her, but can’t you wait?”

“Argh!” Rosamund exclaimed, getting to her feet and stalking to the door. She gave her brother a push, both hands flat on his chest.

Blackstone just stood there, glowering.

“Mama will have something to say about this if she finds out, Ozzie,” he said, folding his arms and glaring at her.

“Oh, stop trying to look ducal, Jules. It does not impress me, and Mama already knows. She closed the door to give us some privacy.”

Jules blinked. “She did?”

“She did,” Rosamund gritted out.

“Oh. Very well, carry on, then. Apologies for the interruption, Hargreaves.”

With that, he walked out again.

Rosamund muttered something that sounded rude and closed the door again.

“Sorry,” she said, shaking his head. “He’s an idiot.”

Sebastian grinned and held out his hand to her. “Come here.”

She did, and did not protest as he patted his knee, perching on his legs as though she might flee at any moment.

“That doesn’t look very comfortable,” he observed.

“Not really, no.”

He tugged her back against him, settling them both upon the cushions. “Better?”

She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded. “Lovely.”

Rather bewildered by his good fortune, Sebastian enjoyed the delight of cuddling his wife-to-be, toying with a lock of her hair and revelling in the lush weight of her soft body relaxed against his.