Page 69 of A Wanton Adventure
The door opened,and Sebastian slid in, pulling Diana towards him. She giggled as their lips connected, and they tumbled onto the tiny one-person bed.
“Shh…you must be quiet.”
“This is me being quiet. I feel like a young schoolboy sneaking about.”
She pulled away from him, sliding off his lap, and raised a brow. “I imagine you do plenty of sneaking about.”
He started to say something but thought better of it. It had been many years since he had to pursue a woman. She looked at him. “What were you going to say?”
“Nothing.”
She slapped him on his arm. “Tell me.”
“I own a club that hosts two scandalous balls a year most use to find their next lover. I don’t need to sneak about.”
He was silent, wondering if she would judge him. He glanced at her, and she burst into laughter. “The conceit you have is shocking.”
A wicked grin formed on his face. “Maybe.”
Sebastian needed to touch her. He leaned in and kissed her. A dominant pressing of his lips to hers. Her lips parted, and he overwhelmed her, plundering her mouth with his tongue. Why did it feel this spectacular with Diana? He pulled away, needing air.
“Perhaps the conceit is reasonable,” she said with a smirk.
He winked at her.
She asked, “What are your scandalous balls like?”
Surprise crossed his face.
She nudged him. “Tell me.”
He ran his fingers through his hair but finally said, “They are more theater than anything. There are acrobats, singers, dancers, and all types of entertainment. The food is sumptuous. All the men and ladies who attend must wear masks in public places.”
How much should he tell her?He continued, “The Den gardens are quite expansive. There are small cottagesthroughout them. Often, they are used for liaisons. Trysts can sometimes be in a public setting.”
Diana gasped. “Have you ever done that?”
He shrugged. “Not at the Den. That isn’t my fancy. Some people like to watch and be watched.”
“Goodness,” she said, standing and pressing her hand to her cheeks. Then she glanced at him. “What are your fancies?”
He tilted his head and studied her. She blushed. “Stuart and I had a very healthy relationship, but I imagine nothing like what you have done. I worry this may all seem plain.”
He rose and went to her, annoyed she would think that. She backed up, bumping into the wall. Sebastian rested one arm above her head, looking down at her.
“Nothing about this is plain. And what you had with Stuart and what you have with me are two different things. It’s okay to want or desire something with me you didn’t have with him and vice versa.”
She smiled, seemingly relieved at his words. “You must believe me to be so innocent.”
He stroked her cheek. “No, I just know how much you loved your husband.”
Why did he have the urge to comfort her? He told himself it was because he was a decent man. His heart was not available to Diana. It couldn’t be.
“Sebastian.”
“Yes, love.”
“Kiss me, please.”
