Page 29

T he rest of the opera passed in a blur.

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.

It was raining again, the warm night turning humid as the huge drops pattered down around them and they hurried toward the carriage, the horses snorting into the night as Seth hastily ushered her inside.

He sat opposite, his amusement rising as she narrowed her eyes at him.

“You are a beast, as I have said before.”

“I did not hear you complaining about my beastly ways when the aria reached its crescendo. I believe you did the same.”

Alicia’s mouth fell open as her cheeks flamed, and Seth laughed

The carriage took off, and Alicia crossed her arms over her chest indignantly.

“You object to my treatment of you, is that it?” he asked, his voice low as he leaned forward.

Alicia scoffed. “I am appalled that you would do such a thing in a place like that. The King himself could have been in attendance tonight.”

“Mm, I believe he was.”

Her eyes widened comically, and Seth moved across the carriage, taking a seat beside her as her body stiffened.

“I do not like you being displeased with me, Duchess, but I must confess that I had a very enjoyable evening. I have not had entertainment in my box before.”

That coaxed a snort from her, and he grinned. Her eyes softened as they roamed over his face, some of the tension leaving her.

He frowned. “What are you looking at?”

“I am seeing you smile more these days,” she whispered.

Seth’s heart clenched.

“Perhaps that is because you keep making me laugh,” he said evasively, uncomfortable with the intimacy that had suddenly sprung up between them.

When did my desire reach these heights?

Alicia turned toward him as the carriage rocked their bodies together. Seth wished he had not moved across the space—he wanted to touch her again and could hardly contain himself.

“I want you to come to my room tonight,” she whispered.

And that is hardly helping.

Seth tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, even as his need soared anew.

“Not yet,” he murmured.

“I do want you, though,” she insisted.

Seth’s head fell back against the seat, his eyes closing in despair. “I know, Duchess, but it is not the right time.”

Her eager gaze grew sad, and she looked away, her brow creasing. “You do not want me?”

Seth hooked his thumb and forefinger beneath her chin and turned her face toward him. “I do want you, wife. The evidence of how much is all around you, and between your thighs.”

Alicia’s blush had all but faded, but now it returned in earnest.

“The things you say,” she whispered, mortified.

“You are mine,” Seth stated solemnly.

“I am yours, but you will not have me?” she asked incredulously.

“I do not wish to take you yet. Not until I have chased away my darkness. There is a shadow in my past that I must banish. I cannot have you, body and soul, until I am filled with light as you are. You are a shining jewel, Alicia. You have made me see the darkness in which I have lived for so long.”

He leaned forward, placing a gentle kiss on her lips as he brushed her cheek with the back of his hand.

“I will not taint your sunshine. When I take you—and I will take you—there will be nothing between us.”

She shuddered in his arms as he kissed down her neck, the tip of his tongue running over the vein before he pulled back.

She panted beside him, and it took all of his strength not to lean back in for another kiss.

“When we are finally together, nothing will hold me back, and you will beg me, screaming my name, for your release.”