“No one ever forced me to do things,” Seb growled. “I became the meanest son-of-a-bitch around so I couldn’t be forced to do what some of the other boys in the neighborhood were being forced to do.”
“You were a child, Seb.” Her voice was like a gentle breath, soothing him as it washed around him. “You did what you had to.”
The feel of her hand gripping his was like a lifeline. And he didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt the need to stay holding tightly to her and never let go. “A lot of what I did when I was younger was to gain power and control.”
“I know.” She gave his hand a little squeeze. “Power and control, in the environment you were in, meant survival.”
“You’re romanticizing it, Livie.”
“Maybe,” she conceded. “But I believe it. I know within my heart that underneath everything, your reputation, the myths, the shadows, you are a good man.”
There was such vehemence to her statement that Seb believed her. Or at least believed she believed it. And if she meant what she said, then she didn’t think him to be the monster that most others did. Though that definitely suggested she was looking at him with rose-colored glasses. But it didn’t matter, and he quite desperately wanted her to always look at him as she was right now.
“You really think anyone with that man’s blood can be good?” he asked, a part of him wanting to desperately believe such a thing but doubting it.
“Of course I do. How you choose to live your life, especially now, is your choice, Seb. Neither you, nor your half brother, are the evil men your father was. Well, at least as far as I’m aware with Dalkeith.” A curious expression flared to life in her eyes. “I must say, apart from the differences in your hair color, you and Lord Dalkeith do resemble each other remarkably, and have a very similar physique. I think he keeps himself fit with boxing and sports, as you must.”
He raised an eyebrow, still holding on to her hands, unwilling to quite let go yet. “You think I’m fit in my appearance, do you, my lady?”
She blinked several times, and her jaw went slack. “I um…I suppose so, not that I’ve been paying much attention. Not really. Well, maybe just a little…”
“Forgive me.” He chuckled. “I don’t mean to embarrass you. Though it is rather delightful.”
An expression of vexation replaced her embarrassment, as she pulled her hands from his and crossed them over her chest, glaring at him in displeasure. “I am so glad to be of some amusement to you.”
“Amusement to me?” That was somewhat understating everything she’d been to him since she’d come into his life. “A pain in my backside and a worry to me is more accurate, I’d say.”
“I’m the pain in the backside?” she exclaimed. “You’re one of the most obstinate men I’ve ever met.”
“Thank you, my dear.” Seb took a bow. “Always nice to know one’s special qualities are appreciated.”
“Oh, they’re appreciated all right.” There was fire in her eyes, and right at that moment Seb wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and kiss her. “Like a thousand thorns in a rosebush is how much I appreciate them.”
Seb laughed. He couldn’t help it; she looked so damn adorable standing there and chastising him. “Who would’ve thought I’d actually enjoy talking with a duke’s daughter, even when she’s admonishing me.”
“That’s the second time you’ve said that. Do you really enjoy my company?”
Abruptly, he stopped laughing and simply stared at her. “More than anyone else’s.” And in an instant, the atmosphere between them changed, almost as if there was a charge of electricity in the air. “It’s not the only thing I enjoy about you.”
Livie bit the bottom of her lip. “It’s not?”
“No, it most definitely is not.”
He couldn’t help himself. He took a step toward her, and his mouth came down upon hers as his arms circled her waist. Seb kissed her as if he were a dying man, drowning in the depths of the softness of her lips, and reveling at the soft press of her body against the hardness of his.
Chapter Forty
Seb was kissing her again and it was pure bliss.
Livie wound her arms around his neck as his lips pressed against hers, nibbling, tasting, and softly biting on her own. She moaned in response, enjoying the sensation more than she’d ever enjoyed anything before.
“You entice me like no other,” Seb murmured against her mouth, his hands circling down low over her buttocks, softly caressing the flesh through the material of her dressing gown and sending little shivers of delight dancing along her skin.
She didn’t think she could string a sentence together even if she tried; her heart was racing and her whole body felt like it would just melt into a puddle on the floor, consumed as she was by everything that was Sebastian. His scent. His touch. His taste. She wanted more. She wanted all of him.
Lowering his head to her neck, he slowly trailed kisses down the column of her throat, each press of his lips against her skin burning like a hot poker, until she was feverish from the thrill. Then he lifted her from her feet and strode over to the armchair. He sat upon it, with her in his lap.
“Is that more comfortable for your leg?” Seb asked, slowly tracing his right hand
