After what seemed an eternity, he turned around and said with heartbreaking formality, ―From your silence I must deduce that you do not have an answer for me."

She moved her head in a tiny motion, just enough to say no.

―It does prick the confidence," he said, ―to steal your phrase."

―It‘s all very complicated," Annabel said.

He crossed his arms and regarded her with a quirk of his brow. And just like that, he was back.

The stiffness was gone, replaced by an easy confidence, and when he walked toward her, it was with an arrogant grace that mesmerized her.

―It‘s not complicated," he said. ―It couldn‘t be simpler. I asked you to marry me, and you want to. All you have to do is say yes."

―I didn‘t say—"

―You want to," he said, with an unbelievably annoying degree of certainty. ―You know that you do."

He was right, of course, but Annabel could not help but be provoked by his swagger. ―You‘re rather sure of yourself."

He stepped toward her, smiling slowly. Seductively. ―Shouldn‘t I be?"

―My family…" she whispered.

―Won‘t starve." He touched her chin, tipping her face gently toward his. ―I‘m not a pauper, Annabel."

―There are eight of us."

He considered this. ―Very well, no one will starve, but you all might get a bit thin."

She let out a snort of laughter. She hated that he could make her laugh at such a moment. No, she loved it. No, she loved him .

Oh God.

She jumped back.

―What is it?" he asked.

She shook her head.

―Tell me," he prodded, and he took her hand, tugging her back toward him. ―Something just happened. I saw it in your eyes."

―No, Mr.—"

―Sebastian," he reminded her, touching his lips to her forehead.

―Sebastian," she croaked. It was hard to speak when he was so close. It was hard to think.

His lips moved to her cheekbone, light and soft. ―I have ways of making you talk," he whispered.

―Wh–what?"

He nibbled on her lower lip, then moved to her ear. ―What were you thinking?" he murmured.

She could only moan.

―I shall have to be more persuasive." His hands moved to her back, sliding down until he cupped her bottom, pressing her against him. Annabel felt her head tilt back, away from his sensual onslaught, but still, she could barely breathe. His body was so hard, and hot, and she could feel his arousal growing against her.

―I want you," he whispered. ―And I know you want me."

―Here?" she gasped.

He chuckled. ―I‘m a bit more refined than that. But," he added, sounding thoughtful, ―weare quite alone."

She nodded.

―None of the guests have arrived yet." He kissed the soft skin where her ear met the line of her jaw. ―And I think it is safe to assume that your marvelous cousin will not disturb us."

―Sebastian, I—"

―We shall make her godmother to our children."

―What?" But she could barely gasp the word. His hand had found its way under her skirt and was moving relentlessly up her leg. And all she wanted—oh dear God, she was wicked—was to bend a little, and open a little, and make it easier for him to do whatever it was he wanted.

―She can teach them all to skip stones," he said, reaching the tender spot just above her knee.

Annabel shuddered.

―Ticklish there?" he said with a smile. He moved higher. ―We shall have lots of children, I think. Lots and lots and lots."

She needed to stop him. She needed to say something, to tell him that she had not decided yet, that she could not commit, not until she‘d had a bit of time to think clearly, which she obviously could not do in his presence. He was talking about the future, about children, and she knew that her silence felt like an assent.

He ran one finger along the inside of her thigh. ―I just don‘t think that we could possibly not have lots of children," he murmured. His lips found her ear again. ―I shan‘t let you out of our bed."

Her knees buckled.

His finger slid even higher, reaching the hot crease where leg met her hip. ―Shall I tell you what I plan to do there? In our bed?"

She nodded.

He smiled. She felt it against her ear, felt his lips move and tilt, heard his breath fill with joy.

―First," he said softly, ―I shall see to your pleasure."

A little moan escaped her lips. Or maybe it was a squeak.

―I will start with a kiss," he said, his voice hot and low against her skin. ―But where, I wonder?"

―Where?" she whispered. It wasn‘t really a question, more of an echo of disbelief.

He touched her mouth. ―On the lips? Maybe." His finger made a lazy trail down to her collarbone. ―I do like this part of you. And these…" He cupped one of her breasts, moaning as he squeezed. ―I could lose myself all day in these."

Annabel arched her back, wanting to give him more. Her body had taken over and it was desperate for him. She couldn‘t stop thinking about what he had done to her in the Valentines‘

drawing room. How he had touched her breasts. All her life she had hated them, hated how men stared and whistled and if they‘d had too much to drink, seemed to think she was ripe for the picking.

But Sebastian had made her feel beautiful. He had loved her body, and this had made her love her body.

He dipped his hand into the bodice of her dress, slid his fingers under her chemise so he could skim them over her nipple. ―You have no idea," he said in a husky voice, ―how much I‘m going to love you here."