“I’m known to have the occasional moment of insight,” Sebastian chuckled. “What was it that struck you as particularly noteworthy?”
“That I need to find out what I desire.”
Sebastian’s smile melted away. He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing under the tight cravat.
“And I have a question about that,” she continued, batting her eyes like a young fawn. Almost teasing. No, most definitely teasing. He tried not to stare at her green irises and her bright pink cheeks, but she was absolutely too pretty not to be admired like a masterpiece portrait at the British Museum.
“Ask then.”
“How does a kiss relate to what I desire?” Her eyes sparkled. “I mean, is there a connection?”
Saints, what this question did to him! The images it conjured. His whole body hardened and his mind trailed to forbidden pleasures. On second thought, why were they forbidden? He’d already peeled her out of her dress in his fantasies a thousand times to reveal all of her.Everything.
He played along. “A kiss can ignite a spark. It’s such an intimate contact. When you kiss the right person, the effect is like feathers tickling you all over, your heart quickens, and your body wants more.”
She bit her bottom lip. Such a sweet lip, he longed to taste it. But he mustn’t overstep. Be too hasty. Rush. Plus, she was only justbeginning to explore what she wanted. Sebastian shook his head as if to stop his thoughts from going in the only direction where they’d been recently.
She cocked her head. “And if you kiss the wrong person?”
“That’s like kissing a dead trout.”
“Disgusting! And how would… you know?”
“Many fish, never the feathers.”
“Then what makes you so sure that the fireworks version is possible?”
“I can feel it. I’ve seen it.”
“How? Where?”
He thought about this for a moment. Then he dared. Sebastian gently took her hand, which had been resting on the side of the table. She hung on to his every word. “You’ve seen Ashley and Tom, right? Have you not spoken to Ashley?”
She blushed furiously and that was all the answer he needed.
Slowly but deliberately, he unfolded her finger that curled around his and placed her palm on his chest. “I know in my heart. All that’s left now is to find it to confirm the right person.”
Maddie’s eyes changed to a darker hue, her pupils large. Her breath quickened and she looked more alert than he’d ever seen her. That intelligent sparkle in her gaze was a fire now that nearly intimidated Sebastian, had he not wanted to meet it with equal ardor.
“I want to know,” she whispered.
Sebastian leaned forward but didn’t close the distance. He had to be sure that she was asking him for what he hoped. A mistake would cause irreparable harm to the trust he’d built with her. He cleared his throat, trying to cool his blood in vain.
“If I show you, Maddie, and if there is more than the passion of a dead fish, it cannot be undone. It would mean something.”
She gavea faint nod.
“Are you sure?”
Another nod. She gulped and pinched her lips together.
Sebastian caught her hand and placed it on his chest, testing her response.
He dipped his head and she blinked so deuced innocently.
She’s so precious.
After this, she’d lose a bit of her innocence and Sebastian felt as if he were cradling an eggshell porcelain cup. A kiss would mean holding her up to the light to see the true design, what her heart desired. If there were fireworks, Sebastian knew deep down, he would never be whole again if he let her go.
