And from the way Sebastian remained still in front of her, partially shielding her with his body, his forehead dropped against her shoulder,hishad too.
Eventually, he raised his head, and she didn’t think before leaning up for a kiss. A sweet, simple kiss that made her lungs burn with the need for more.
When he broke away, she felt dizzy. All around them, the party continued, couples dancing and others talking and laughing with clinking glasses and private smiles.
And she had… in front ofeveryone…
And so had Sebastian.
“A walk?” he suggested, taking her arm. “To cool off a little.”
Yes, they most certainly needed that.
They wove through the other guests in costumes and masks, Sebastian positioning himself so he was largely hidden by her skirts, until they came to a door leading outside. There were small gardens, lit by the light of an effervescent moon, and Sebastian didn’t hesitate even for a moment as he slipped them out. Summer was approaching, April hard on March’s heels, yet the night was a cool one. The air kissed her burning cheeks.
“I presume that was your first?” he asked abruptly.
“My first?”
“Climax.”
“I thought you meant episode of public indecency,” she said wryly, and crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes, it was. I presume it was not yours.”
“No,” he answered, equally wryly. “Although it was my first in quite those means. I suppose it has been a while since I was last with a lady.”
Potent jealousy filled her.
She knew he had been married; she knew, too, that young gentlemen were held to different standards and were practically expected to spend their time in brothels or with opera dancers or other high-class courtesans. Her mother had not precisely confirmed that she had been her father’s mistress, but she was surely not his wife.
Yet, at the thought of Sebastian lying with another woman, kissing her the way he had Aurelia,touchingher with the same brazen authority as he had her, made her silently seethe. No amount of logic could ease the feeling lodged in her throat.
She had come to the marriage without past paramours—yet he had not.
That was to be expected, but hearing him speak so casually of it still hurt.
“I would rather we didnotdiscuss your past exploits,” she muttered in a tight little voice that didn’t sound like her.
Sebastian chuckled deeply in what sounded like surprised delight. “You are jealous?”
She gave him a sidelong glare. “I am your wife, and you are mine. I dislike the thought of others.”
He hummed a little in understanding, then turned her to face him. They were halfway down a gravel path, partially lit by a lantern’s light, and still in view of the Pantheon. “So long as I am here with you, Aurelia, I have eyes for no one else. No one.”
So long as I am here with you. Not quite the reassurance she had hoped for. But then again, what else could she expect?
She tilted her head. “Am I expected to give you the same assurance?”
He tucked her hand back in the crook of his arm. “If you don’t, and if you entertain another gentleman in my presence, then I will have his arms cut off.”
“Tyrant.”
“I do not allow anyone to touch what is mine.”
Her core thrilled at the words, even as she knew she ought to reject them. “You are very bold, sir.”
“Am I? You are my wife, and I made you come against a pillar in the Pantheon.” There was dark male pride in his eyes as he looked at her. “Can you beany moremine?”
“Yes,” she said without thinking.
