The Bachelor Bargain (Secrets, Scandals, and Spies) by Michaels, Maddison (short books to read TXT) 📕

“Of course,” Livie replied.

With a nod and what looked to be an eye roll of frustration directed at Sebastian, the girl turned and left the room, leaving Livie alone with him.

She stood there for a moment watching him. He was standing there, with his back to her, looking very much like a statute. Obviously, his mother’s death was still a raw wound for him, even after all this time.

She knew the feeling exactly.

“We all must live with the burdens of the past, I’m afraid.” Before she could lose her nerve, she walked up behind him and placed her free hand gently on his back. “People like to say it gets easier with time, but it doesn’t.”

“It certainly doesn’t.” He glanced down at her. “I was harsh with Charlotte.”

There was such a look of torture on his face, Livie couldn’t help but lift her hand and brush it softly across his cheek. “You are only trying to protect her, and part of her knows that. Most have no idea what it’s like to be responsible for the death of a loved one. It is a heavy burden to bear.”

His hand reached up and grasped her own, holding it still against him. Then he turned his head into her hand and kissed her palm.

It felt like lightning had hit her.

“You and I know that truth all too well,” he said, looking at her with such a burning need that Livie leaned across and pressed her lips to his.

She closed her eyes and exhaled sharply as the very touch of his lips burned into her soul. He groaned and pulled her toward him, his mouth caressing hers with urgency and tenderness.

“I’ve been thinking of kissing you all day,” he said on a breathless whisper. “You must be a sorceress to have enchanted me so.”

The words melted her. “Then kiss me again,” she demanded, bringing her hands up to the lapels of his jacket and pulling him against her.

He half groaned, half laughed as his lips found hers again, gently prying hers apart as he began to stroke his tongue against hers.

His body was so hard and strong against the softness of her own, and when one of his hands cupped her breast, she moaned aloud. Such feelings he was stirring in her; she was finding it hard to contain them. But she had to. Now was neither the time nor the place.

With regret, she pulled away from him. “Charlotte will be back any moment.”

Sebastian inhaled and nodded, taking a reluctant step back and dragging a hand through his hair. “You’re right. When you’re in my vicinity I tend to forget about everything else, and all I can think of is touching you…of kissing you…of taking you to my bed.”

They were the most scandalous and passionate words she’d ever had spoken to her, and she realized that she never wanted anything as much as she wanted to be his lover. Before she could think better of it, she told him exactly that. “I want you to be my lover, Sebastian Colver. I want you to take me to your bed.” Had she really just said that? But then a boldness came over her and she stared defiantly at him. She was five and twenty, and it was time to take charge of her life and experience what it felt like to be with a man. A man whose very touch thrilled her to her core.

She’d never seen Sebastian look shocked, but that was the expression on his face at the moment as he stood there staring at her, the pulse at the base of his neck thudding.

He cleared his throat. “You do?”

“I do.” She wanted him and wanted to be possessed by him.

“Thankfully, it was only a few plates that were broken,” Charlotte called out from the door, shattering the spell, as Livie and Sebastian took a hasty step away from each other.

“That’s lucky,” Livie replied, her voice slightly shaky even to her own ears. “I should get going, in any event. I must rest my leg before the Milbury ball tonight.”

Charlotte glanced between them both, her eyes narrowing slightly, though she said nothing.

“My carriage will collect you both on Monday and three of my men will accompany you,” Sebastian said, his voice confident and strong, seeming little affected by what had just transpired between them. “Don’t go anywhere without them, and they shall still continue to watch over you until then, too. Remember what we spoke of earlier, Livie.”

He was referring to the fact they didn’t know whether she or Lady Chilton was the target. And knowing that he was obviously worried over her safety did thrill her just a bit. Or rather, a lot. “I do. And will you send me word if you learn anything about Mary?”

“I will,” he agreed, his eyes locking upon her own as they stood staring at each other. And all Livie could think of was becoming his lover.

Charlotte cleared her throat. “I shall see you on Monday then?”

“Yes indeed.” Livie snapped her eyes over to the girl before briefly nodding at Sebastian and avoiding his eyes. She tended to lose herself in the steel depths of them. She strode over to Charlotte and gave her a quick hug. “It was lovely to meet you, and I shall enjoy introducing you to the Dragon Duchess, and then we shall go and have great fun spending lots of your brother’s money.”

“God help me,” he mumbled behind them.

“I’m certain even God himself doesn’t get between a woman and her wardrobe,” Livie replied with a quick wink toward him. Beside her, Charlotte laughed.

“I do like you very much, Lady Olivia,” she said.

“The feeling is mutual.” She smiled at the girl before quickly glancing back to Sebastian. “I shall see you later. And don’t worry, we shan’t bankrupt you on Monday.”

“A small mercy.” He rolled his eyes, but then an expression of seriousness replaced the merriment. “Stay safe, my lady.