Amusement glittered in the depths of his eyes as his thumb traced the curve of her cheek. He placed a light peck on her mouth, and she drifted forward, not ready to lose the warmth of his kiss. Their lips lingered together, tearing down the last of her defenses. When he finally withdrew, she barely held back a disappointed groan.
“As to Lady Lovelace,” he said, “I’ve already told you there is nothing between us.”
“But she wants there to be.”
“She will be disappointed then, won’t she? The truth is, even if every lady in Mayfair offered herself to me now, I couldn’t accept.”
“Is that so?” An odd stirring began in her chest and expanded until she was too full to hold it inside. She smiled widely, dottily. “Why not?”
“You know the reason.” He hauled her against him in one quick move, causing her to cry out in surprise. His mouth grazed her ear. “I only want you,” he whispered, his breath hot enough to singe her skin, and yet shivers raced through her body.
“Sebastian.” His name sounded like a reluctant surrender. Like it or not, she was good and conquered.
Capturing his face, she kissed him hard. Her back arched to bring them closer.
Sebastian hungrily returned her kisses; a low growl rumbled in his chest. He backed her against the wall and pushed her arms above her head as he plundered her mouth. His fingers circled her wrists. She could have pulled free, but it was incredibly arousing. She had never been kissed like she was being claimed.
He shifted his weight to hold her firmly against the wall with one hand. His other skated down her arm and side, then skimmed the underside of her breast. Prickles invaded the tips—pleasurable pain—and she strained toward him. He plucked her nipple through her dress, sending a strong current to her core. She gasped.
He tore his mouth from hers and placed his at her ear. His warm breath on her neck heated her blood. “I want to make you come, angel.”
Her heartbeat almost drowned out his whisper, but she had heard him and his words made no sense.
“C-come where?”
His lips stopped nibbling her neck and he pushed back to bring his face into view. His eyes gleamed in the moonlight. “Have you never had an orgasm, love?”
She had never heard of any such thing. “I don’t know.”
He grinned before his mouth came down on hers for a sound kiss. “You have made me a happy man, Helena, for I get the honor of introducing you to the first of many.”
“I don’t underst—” His fingers massaged her nipple and cut off her thought. Her head rested against the wall as he created the loveliest sensations with his touch. His mouth found hers again and kissed her until she was breathless.
Capturing her bottom lip between his teeth, he gently tugged, then smiled again. “I’ve wanted this luscious mouth for so long, I used to dream about it at night.”
Her body was awash in heat. “You did not.” Her voice sounded husky and sensual. She didn’t know where it came from at first.
“I did too.” He kissed her again, then tugged off his gloves and tossed them on the ground. “Now I will dream of all the lovely ways I will teach you to use it.”
Despite the embarrassing nature of their dialogue, she couldn’t help returning his teasing smile. “I already know how to talk, so show me something I don’t know.”
“Lady Prestwick.” He chuckled and gathered a fistful of her skirts. “Must you always have the last word?”
She didn’t answer as her dress inched up her calves and over her thighs. The cooler air on her bare bottom made her feel exposed and vulnerable, but in her heart, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. Moonlight emphasized his cheekbones, and she placed a light kiss over his bruise.
He paused and stared at her with lips parted.
She averted her gaze, embarrassed to meet his eyes. “Does it hurt badly?”
Cradling her cheek, he tipped her face up. “My kindhearted Helena, always concerned for someone else.” When he kissed her, his lips were tender and filled her with achingly sweet affection. It satisfied and made her desperate at the same time. She grasped his coat and pulled him into her.