Page 55 of What's a Duke Got to Do With It
“Please, Sebastian,” she begged.
It was as if her words had snapped some invisible chain within him that had been holding him back. He groaned, his mouth crashing down on hers, even as his hips began to move, drawing him out of her, then within, his pace increasing, the tension building. Her body responded, electricity sizzling along her skin and focusing on that place where their bodies met, a current of energy snapping and sizzling, growing in brilliance until, in a burst of light, she came apart in his arms.
With a growl he pulled out of her before, with a shout muffled in her shoulder, he spent himself in the sheets. Then she was back in his arms, his grip so tight on her it felt as if he would never let her go.
And for one shining moment, Katrina let herself believe that was true.
Chapter 18
Katrina didn’t know what had made her think that one night with Sebastian would ever be enough. Especially as every time she looked at him in the day following, she was reminded of the things he had done to her, how he’d made her body sing… and how very right it had felt to give herself to the man she loved.
And if the heated glances and small smiles he kept sending her way were any indication, he was thinking of last night as well. Though, of course, not the love part. Her buoyant mood stumbled a bit at that. Yes, it was true she had been unable to hold her own emotions back. It had seemed imperative last night that she let him know that her decision to be with him was no idle thing. But though she had seen his affection for her in his eyes, though she suspected he might love her in return, she did not want him to declare himself to her and have that burden on his soul. If he was to save the dukedom, he could not marry her, someone who had nothing to her name but an overlarge dog and a soiled reputation.
The reminder of that last item threatened to make her mood crumble to dust completely. Her life was being held together by nothing but spiderwebs and wishes as it was; any misstep on her part would destroy her and everyone who loved her.
But as her heart twisted in her chest at the thought of never again experiencing the joy of being with him, she found herself wondering a bit desperately what one more day of bliss could hurt in the grand scheme of things. Could she be selfish for one more day? To claim a sliver more of happiness? If the way he was looking at her was any indication, over the rim of his teacup and with the most meltingly delicious heat in his gray eyes, he was wondering the exact same thing.
But Lady Tesh was speaking. And if Katrina did not want her employer to suspect anything between her and Sebastian, she had best pay attention.
“I do hope you do not grow tired of so much nature, Mr. Bridling,” Lady Tesh said, referring to their planned excursion to the Elven Pools for the following day. She fed a small piece of biscuit to Freya. “I know it is not like the pursuits you have become used to in London. But as you know, Synne is a much quieter place, and so what we can offer is limited in that regard.”
“Not at all,” Mr. Bridling said with a wide smile. “It is refreshing. I vow, I would be more than happy to remain here on the Isle all my days. Especially as it has provided me the chance to get to become acquainted with such lovely people.” Here he turned and gazed at Katrina, his expression warm.
She blushed, inclining her head. But her attention was not snagged for long, quickly drifting, her gaze finding Sebastian. He looked so utterly delicious this afternoon, the claret color of his jacket bringing out faint auburn highlights in his hair—hair she had gripped tight last night as he loved between her legs with his mouth. Which, of course, made her attention shift to said mouth. He took a bite from a small sandwich just then, his tongue sweeping out to catch a crumb from his lips in an erotic swipe. A small, needy sound rose up in her chest before she could call it back.
Lady Tesh looked at her in alarm. “Miss Denby, are you quite well?”
Face hot, Katrina could not bring herself to meet her employer’s eyes. Surely that woman would see the truth branded across her face, proof of just where her mind had gone. Instead she nodded jerkily and, bringing her hand to her mouth, coughed.
“Forgive me,” she croaked. “I choked on a bit of biscuit.”
Which really was the most ridiculous excuse she could have come up with, considering Katrina had not even partaken of the biscuits. But Lady Tesh, blessedly, seemed to take her at her word. Or, at least, she did not verbally accuse her of lying.
“Hmm, is that so?” Lady Tesh murmured. “Well, refresh your tea then, girl. I can’t stand to hear you coughing. It grates on my nerves.”
Inclining her head, Katrina did as she was told, praying no one saw how her hands shook as she lifted the silver teapot. A prayer that was quickly proven ineffective as she raised her eyes to Sebastian and saw the small, crooked smile on his lips.
But she could not feel embarrassment. No, her chest was too warm for that unwelcome emotion, her heart pounding too wildly, the hummingbirds that had apparently taken perch in her stomach fluttering too madly. Which was only exacerbated as he scratched Mouse behind the ear and the dog gazed up at him in adoration. If she had not already been in love, that sight right there, of him showing her beloved pet such affection, would have done it for her. She heaved a small, happy sigh.
“Truly, Miss Denby,” Lady Tesh barked, shattering the moment, “one would think you are coming down with something. I do hope you are not growing ill.”
Clearing her throat and tearing her gaze from the heartwarming sight of Sebastian and Mouse leaning against one another, Katrina hastily responded, “Of course not, my lady. I have never been better.”
“Perhaps you simply need some air,” the woman muttered.
As if on cue, Freya rose and stretched before hopping down from her place beside Lady Tesh and trotting to the doors that led to the garden. There she paused, looking back imperiously at the gathered humans.
“Yes, Freya, that is a splendid idea,” Lady Tesh said before turning back to Katrina. “Miss Denby, why don’t you take the dogs out for some exercise. And Your Grace can accompany you, seeing as Mouse has taken such a liking to him.”
Which was just too wonderful an offer for Katrina to refuse. She rose, Sebastian along with her, and together they walked out the garden door and into the warm early summer air. Freya trotted imperiously ahead down the path that abutted the house and toward the side lawn, glancing with disdain at Mouse as he galloped past her with glorious abandon. Not a word was said between Katrina and Sebastian as they sedately followed the canines; indeed, not even a look passed between them. Yet Katrina could not have been more aware of Sebastian if she had tried. His presence seemed to reach across the short, charged space between them, touching her physically, making her shiver with a heady anticipation.
And then she did not have to anticipate any longer. The moment they passed beneath a trellis of climbing roses and were concealed from the house Sebastian’s hand was on her arm, pulling her into his embrace. She went eagerly, her arms going around his neck, her mouth opening under his. Their tongues twined, the taste of him making her eyes roll back in her head, and she moaned into his mouth even as she arched against him, a silent plea for more.
“My God, I’ve missed you,” he rasped as he pulled back and began raining kisses down the side of her throat. “Tell me you have missed me, too.”
“More than I can ever say,” she whispered, her fingers diving into the soft waves of his hair. Their mingled breathing was ragged in her ear, the perfect accompaniment to the distant crash of the waves at the bottom of the cliff that ran alongside Seacliff, making her feel as if even the sea itself were in league with them.
His hands gripped her bottom, pressing her into him. “Do you feel what you do to me? I want you, so badly I can hardly breathe.”
