Her round eyes doubled in size. “What kind of games?”
“This one is called ‘Don’t wake your neighbors.’”
He pounced. With a soft squeal, she scooted back on the bed, trying to evade his tickling fingers. She flopped on her belly, laughing, and tried to scramble across the bed. He caught her by the waist and dragged her back to the edge of the bed. As she halfheartedly struggled, his trousers slid low on his hips.
“Release me,” she said between laughter.
“Now, why would I release you, love?” He raised her night rail over her hips to bare her lush bottom. “I think I prefer you this way.”
She had a great arse, firm and full. He lightly smacked one cheek with his palm. She gasped and swung her head to peer over her shoulder. “Sebastian!”
“Shh.” He held his finger to his lips. “You’re going to lose the game.”
She narrowed her eyes at him but couldn’t maintain the pretense of scolding him. Her mouth twitched at the corners before a smug smile spread across her face. “We shall see.”
He bent over and placed his lips against the small dimples on either side of her spine. She sighed and sank into the bedding. Inching her night rail higher, he licked and nibbled his way up the gentle curve of her back. Her buttocks cradled his erection by the time he reached her nape, and he held still to appreciate the softness of her skin. His eyes closed and he groaned low in his throat.
“Quiet, my lord.” The imp wiggled her arse and elicited a much louder growl from him. “I’m winning,” she teased.
“We just started playing, sweetheart. Come here.” He urged her to stand, her back still to him, and eased the night rail over her head. He explored the slope of her shoulder, nibbling his way to her earlobe and catching it between his teeth as his hands covered her breasts. He tested their weight, pleased with how they fit his hands. Small like apples and soft. His fingers closed around her nipples and gently tugged. Her head rolled back on his chest with an eroticlittle sigh.
“Isn’t losing more fun?” he whispered against her ear.
She shivered. “Yes.” Her voice was airy, and she raised her arms in a languid stretch before draping them around his neck. The tips of her breasts were firm buds beneath his fingers, and her hips swayed slightly, seductively, as she abandoned herself to the moment.
“You’re as alluring as sin,” he murmured.
She dropped her arms and slowly turned within the circle of his embrace. All traces of playfulness faded. She gazed at him with large, soulful eyes. “I don’t want to lose you, Sebastian.”
Her voice trembled. The mix of fear and wistfulness caused his throat to ache. He cradled her cheek and touched his lips to hers, lingering, savoring her warmth. When their kiss ended, he pressed his forehead to hers. His eyes drifted closed as a consuming tenderness coursed through him. He couldn’t lose her.
“I want you for my bride. I want forever.”
She drew back, licked her lips. He steeled himself for rejection. “So do I,” she whispered.
Sebastian’s heart missed a beat. “Are you agreeing to marry me?”
She hesitated a moment then nodded. “Yes. It’s very sudden and others are likely to think—”
He swept her off her feet.
***
Helena gasped, losing her train of thought.
“Others can go hang,” Sebastian said. “I don’t care what they think.” He laid her on the bed and made fast work of removing his trousers. His chest flexed as he crawled atop her and braced his weight on his elbows. She trailed her fingers over his lean muscles, his olive skin hot and smooth beneath her palms. He was marvelously male and splendidly made, but his intense dark gaze was the cause of her stomach flutters.
He arched a brow. “What are we about to do?”
“Make love?” She smiled, rather daftly she suspected.
His returning grin warmed her to her toes. “Does that not sound better for two people who love one another?”
He didn’t allow her to answer before his mouth covered hers. She breathed deeply, the faint scent of pine soap now familiar and comforting. His mouth nipped at hers, the tip of his tongue grazing her bottom lip. She melted with him, their bodies touching heart to heart, hips to hips, his hardness to her softness.