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Seth was sated beyond anything he had ever experienced.

Pleasuring Alicia and climaxing against her body had fulfilled him in a way he could never have imagined.

Still, you are a fool for doing it in such a public place.

He had barely been able to contain himself in the carriage on the way to the opera. Debating whether he could have her before they arrived, or if he could do it when they left.

His mind had been completely consumed with thoughts of her body, her lips, their time in the library when he had wanted to thrust into her until she came for him.

A tumble in a box in the middle of the King’s Theatre was not what he had intended, but in the end, he had been unable to hold back.

Her sighs, her moans, the way she had arched against him, melting into his touch as her heat had built and exploded around him—they were seared in his mind.

Seth was in awe of her beauty, her kindness, and her humility.

Something has changed between us, something distant I can barely grasp, but it calls to me. Though I must not answer.

The opera continued as they moved back into the light, the curtain having concealed everything he had done to her.

He was attuned to her every move, finding it difficult to take his eyes off her as the performance continued.

The curve of her pale neck and the exquisite necklace around her throat made him want to kiss every inch of her skin.

I have never seen her look so well as she does tonight. I must buy her more pearls.

He drew in a deep breath, imagining strings of pearls glimmering against her skin.

Finally, after what felt like half a lifetime, the opera ended, and the milling crowds began to disperse.

Alicia suddenly seemed self-conscious and unsure of herself. Her hands twitched, smoothing her skirts and touching her hair repeatedly.

“What is the matter?” he asked as he led her out of their box and down the corridor to the staircase.

“I feel as if everyone is staring at us.”

Seth’s stomach tightened at the concern in her voice.

I should not have succumbed to my desire in this place. She is all hard edges now, when she was so soft and pliant earlier.

“No one could see into the box, Duchess. I assure you.”

Alicia’s lips thinned. “I should have refused you,” she said sternly.

Seth could not help but pull her against him more firmly. “You would not have refused me anything. In fact, you begged for my touch.”

“At your behest!” she hissed. But there was amusement in her eyes now, as if she were enjoying the game between them.

“Do you want me to promise that I will never touch you in such a place again?” he asked softly as they made their way downstairs.

“I do.”

“So you do not enjoy me touching you in confined spaces? I shall remind myself of that when we are in the carriage.”

Alicia glanced at him in surprise.

“I am not certain I have had my fill of you yet, Duchess. I might take you on the way back to the manor.”

They reached the bottom of the stairs, a crush of people around them as Seth spotted their carriage waiting for them outside the doors.