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Then he set her back on her feet and reached into the inner pocket of his tailcoat and took out a silver-plated box. “This is for you.”
She frowned and took it. “Sebastian, no.”
“Yes. Open it.”
“But I stole from you.”
“Because you had to. Not because you’re a bad person. Please. Open it.”
She swallowed and did as he asked, and he watched her eyes widen and light up in wonder. That was exactly the reaction he was after. He had found the brooch in the form of a white peony at Rundell, Bridge & Rundell.
“You mentioned that peonies are your favorite flowers, but they wouldn’t grow in your old house in Bedfordshire. So I thought, this way you can always have a peony to remind you of your grandmama.”
Her eyes filled with tears, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her sweet, soft body against him. He put his arms around her and pulled her even closer. He breathed in her delicious scent, wishing he could just inhale her whole into his body and have her forever be his.
She kissed him, sweet and long, bringing his blood to boil. He wanted nothing more than to tear off her clothes and have his way with her, but he stopped himself.
“Wait…darling…I also want you to have this.”
He gave her a money purse.
“Sebastian, what is this?” She took it and opened it. Inside were coins and banknotes.
“So that you don’t have to steal again if you want to leave,” he said. “I want you to have everything, and to feel free. I want you to feel safe.”
She shook her head. “No. I cannot accept this.” She stretched her hand with the purse to him. “While this is incredibly generous, it’s also too much!”
“No, it’s nothing to me, and it’s everything to you. Please.”
Her big green eyes were luminous. Shining with her inner light that he had gotten to know and love over the past days with her. The inner light that had opened and warmed his cold heart.
But the more he smiled and the more he allowed himself to dream about her, the more the old, wounded part of him doubted she really could love him.
When she had invited the Duchess of Grandhampton to see her peonies next spring in Loxchester Hall two days ago, his heart had felt like it was about to burst. Because it meant she might consider staying with him forever.
But how could she? Somehow, sooner or later, he’d spoil this relationship, even though it was quickly becoming one of the most important things in his life.
Besides, more than anything, she wanted her freedom. And he cared about her enough that he just wanted her to be happy even if it meant she would leave him. If she must run away from him again because she really couldn’t love him, she had something to fall back on.
“Thank you,” she said, her smile like sunlight on his skin.
He smiled back. It was impossible not to when she was so radiant and happy. She touched his lips, mesmerized. “You’ve looked so happy lately. It’s a precious gift on its own, seeing you smile like that.”
His heart cracked open. He was a complete fool. There was no going back from this. He’d fallen for her like he’d never fallen for anyone. His whole being was in turmoil. Could he believe he deserved this happiness?
He didn’t know what love felt like…
Until now.
He loved her.
He’d die before he let any harm come to her.
He kissed her, and this time, it was different. He wanted to devour her, but also to worship her, this goddess of spring and sunlight that had come into his dark world and changed everything.
She was soft and warm in his arms, and he could taste the tea she’d just drank on her tongue. He sank his tongue into the depths of her mouth, licking, sucking, and gliding. How many times had he had her since she’d first allowed him into her bed?
Nearly not enough. A lifetime with her wouldn’t be enough.
