She marched through the bedroom to her sitting room and flung wide the door.
Naked he strode toward her, pushed the door shut with a bang and swept her up into his arms. “‘Double double toil and trouble, fire burn—‘”
“Stop that!” She wiggled to be free of him.
He growled and rushed her to the bed, then pushed her flat on her back. “You are such trouble.”
“To you? Never!”
He crawled up over her, his legs pinning her to the mattress, his arms nailing her down. “Always. You tempted me to break rules. My father’s. My mother’s. Your father’s. Society’s. You lured me to kiss you. Take your gifts. To waltz with you. To hold you in my memory like a precious gift from God. A god, I might add, that I did not take very kindly to.”
“Oh,” she said because she liked what he said now much better than what he’d said before.
“Now you seek me out. You find me when I did not especially wish to be found by you. By anyone. I suffer with nightmares of poisons and bombs. I try to find a new life and haven’t. And here you come. To lure me with horrible singing to your room—and with pleas for proper displays of affection, you take me to your bed.”
“Yes!” she said with umbrage. “If you don’t like—”
“Quiet! I didn’t say I didn’t like it. Or you. I do condemn the man who used and abused you. I do also hope that as we go forward you will tell me such information as I need to make prudent decisions.”
She was wary. “About what?”
“You.”
“Meaning?”
He sighed and looking to one side, she had the impression he asked the god he did not take very kindly to, for guidance…or forbearance. “Meaningus.”
She smiled. “Oh.”
“Yes.” He lifted one of her hands and brought it to his lips. “I love you, darling girl. I cannot stop. And won’t. And now that I havenotdespoiled you, I wonder if you would consider becoming my wife?”
“Oh, Oh, Octavian. I would!”
“I thought so. Agreed then. Good.” He rose and began to search for his clothes.
She scrambled up on an elbow. “Wait! Wait! You’re leaving?”
“I have work to do.”
“At this hour?”
“I cannot stay here all night.”
She grew aghast. “Whynot?”
“Because I won’t shame my very good mistress with my actions. Plus I’d like time to think on this.”
She shot from the bed. “No. I won’t allow it. You’ll change your mind.”
He hauled her against him. “If you argue with me a lot, I just might.”
She laughed. “No, you won’t. Say you love me again…”
He ran his strong hand from her breast down her torso to cup her intimate flesh. “I am a madman for you.”
“Oh, good!”
“And we will be married. Soon. I know not how to support you. Or where to live. Though I have an idea I hope you’ll like.”
