Page 45 of The Betrothal

His head tipped back in a laugh. “We could do both?”

I smiled, butterflies now swirling in my chest. “If only.” My smile was rueful, the closest I could get to an outright no, because my body revolted at the idea of telling him no, but the faintest hint of logic and self-preservation was resisting the picture he was painting for me.

He shifted forwards, our knees pressing together and the new point of contact driving my pulse higher, all awareness at his fingers on my neck, thumb on my jaw, knee against mine.

“Maybe someday soon you’ll tell me what you’re running from, because I don’t think you’re running to someone.”

He paused, offering me the opportunity to argue, but I didn’t. There was something about these men that wiped away any desire to hide.

“But I’m a transparent man.”

I smirked at that. It was an understatement.

“And I’m not exactly subtle.”

Now I laughed.

“Right?” he chuckled but turned intense once again. “But I would happily try to protect you from whatever it is you’re trying to escape.”

I sighed, and he slipped his fingers from where they caressed my skin to place them over my mouth, stopping me from speaking.

“And if you won’t let me keep you…”

I murmured against his fingers, but he shook his head, tutting, and I quietened under his hushing.

“…I’ll accept what little you’ll give me while we are here,” he finished.

He paused again, fingers still resting against my lips, letting the moment drag out between us. Then he slowly lowered them, giving me the chance to respond.

He chewed on his lip, the first sign of nerves I’d recognised on him. I’d seen him concerned at Ben’s condition, frustrated with Alex, irritated when I’d failed to care for my knees. But not doubting himself.

Finally, I found the words. “Why? Why me?” I gestured to my face, then body.

Teddy’s feelings for me grew from a protectiveness that morphed into possession. I was sure of it. And I’d had other men interested in me. All of them were an absolute surprise. But no-one quite like Seb. Seb was beautiful in every way. And I’d assumed his flirtation was his nature, mixed with proximity. Harmless flirting.

It was his turn to be silent for a moment, surprise turning into disbelief, then a slow smirk crept over his face.

“If that’s your only objection.” He closed the distance between our bodies. “Then I’d like to inform you I won’t be accepting any further questions at this time.”

My laugh was swallowed as he leaned in, his lips sealing over mine.

The contact was electric. I kissed him back immediately. My palms rising to fist in his t-shirt, I drew him closer to me, and he groaned in response, hand tangling into my hair and taking back control of the kiss.

His tongue pushed past my parted lips and into my mouth, finding mine and stroking it. I moaned in response. Moaned. My head was beginning to spin.

Slowing, he dragged his teeth over my bottom lip, and my hands slipped from where they held him, gliding down his chest, catching the ridges of his abs and halting there.

He broke away with a small sigh.

“You’re shaking.” His words were uttered against my lips, and I realised I was, but I was too proud to admit it wasn’t the cold causing it. Before I had any opportunity to argue with his observation, I was being pulled upright, Seb tucking my hair gently back from where he’d left it dishevelled. Then he grabbed the mugs and plates and led me back towards the house, where a furious-looking Alex stood staring at us through the window.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

ISABELLE

It was quiet and it was dark. The candles we’d lit around the room offered the barest light. Ben remained outside, despite the protests of Seb and his brother, in a bid to restore electricity to the house. The dinner of cold cuts and the last of the fresh vegetables had been tidied up, and the dishes sat on the sideboard. Ben’s meal remained untouched, and that had both men on edge.

No sooner had the thought to exit the room and read in bed arrived than Alex excused himself with a surly glower in my direction and retreated back to his study. Again.