Seduction Assignment: The Seduction Season / The Marriage Deal / The Husband Assignment

‘You should throw them out.’

He shot her an amused glance. ‘Not yet. I like to look at them.’

Her voice came out as a strangled sound. ‘Why?’

He extracted a carton of milk and closed the refrigerator door. ‘Because it reminds me of how much trouble you went to trying to kill me with indigestion.’

Of course he knew. How could he not?

‘I was intrigued to know what you’d dream up to serve me next.’

The coffeemaker completed its cycle, and Sebastian took hold of the carafe and filled both cups.

‘It was a challenge,’ she conceded with a tinge of humour. She spooned in sugar, stirred, then sipped the contents. ‘I owe you a meal. A decent one,’ she qualified.

‘An attempt to redeem yourself?’

‘I’ll go one better,’ she said solemnly. ‘Give me a menu, and I’ll prepare the food. Do you prefer vegetables or salad?’

‘Vegetables. Buttered baby potatoes in their jackets, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, honeyed carrots.’

‘Dessert?’

‘You.’

Anneke’s eyes flew wide. ‘Sorry, I don’t decorate body parts. Suggest something more conventional.’

He replaced his cup, removed hers, then captured her hands and pulled her towards him. ‘Will this do?’

She didn’t have a chance to answer. His mouth closed over hers in a gentle exploration that melted her bones.

Hands moulded her close as he deepened the kiss, and she opened her mouth to him, slid the tip of her tongue beneath the hardness of his own, and felt his breath catch.

Anneke wasn’t quite ready for the long, sweeping response as he took her from pleasure to possession, then staked a claim.

It was all she could do to hang on and ride the storm of his passion.

No one had kissed her with quite this degree of hunger, and her whole body throbbed beneath his explosive touch as he began a trail of discovery of each and every pleasure pulse.

His mouth left hers and sought the vulnerable column of her throat, the delicate hollow, the edge of her neck, before slipping low to the soft curve of her breast.

Somehow the zip fastening at the back of her dress slid free, and the tiny shoestring straps were eased over each shoulder.

An indistinguishable moan died in her throat as deft fingers teased a sensitive peak to hardness, then rendered a similar supplication to its twin.

He took her to the brink between pleasure and pain, then trailed his mouth down to suckle each tender nub until she moved restlessly against him.

It wasn’t enough, not nearly enough, and a soundless gasp escaped her lips as one hand slid to the apex between her thighs, teased the thin silk barrier of her briefs, only to retreat.

Anneke whimpered in protest, then she caught hold of his head and brought his mouth to her own in fierce possession, testing his control.

She’d thought to delight in his loss of it, but nothing prepared her for the deep, penetrating invasion that took hold of her emotions and tossed them high.

Her hands reached for his shoulders and she simply clung to him until the storm inside began to diminish. Slowly, ever so slowly, he lightened the kiss until his lips merely brushed against her own, then he linked his arms at the base of her spine.

His eyes were dark, so dark they were almost black, and there was a waiting quality evident beneath the sensual warmth.

The next move was hers. He was giving her the option to move away from him, say any words by way of excuse, then leave.

If she stayed, it would be because she wanted to, not due to any unfair persuasion on his part.

Indecision warred temporarily as she fought desire with sanity.

How could you know a man for months, a year, longer, yet not really know him at all? Then meet another, and see almost at once the heart of the man beneath the many layers fashioned by time and experience?

She could turn away and never know the joy he offered, or the depth of emotion they could share. Yet what was the price she might have to pay?

Sadly, she had the feeling it would be way too high.

‘I think I’d better go.’

Sebastian leaned forward and brushed his lips against her forehead. ‘I could tell you not to think. Just to feel.’

She lifted her head and met his steady gaze. There was a depth apparent that frightened her. Not out of a sense of threat, but something she was too afraid to define.

‘I know.’ Her voice came out as a husky whisper. She even managed a shaky smile. ‘But you won’t.’

He let his arms fall to his sides, and watched the fleeting emotions chase across her expressive features.

Then he watched as she took a backward step, then turned and walked to the door.

‘Be ready at nine.’

Her hand froze as she reached for the latch, and she cast him a startled glance over one shoulder.

‘Our picnic, remember?’ A slow smile spread his mouth. ‘I’ll organise the food.’

Anneke recovered quickly. ‘Nine.’ Then she opened the door and closed it quietly behind her.

She’d left a light on inside her aunt’s cottage, and it provided a welcoming glow as she crossed the path.

Sleep didn’t come easily. Nor did peace of mind. But then she hadn’t expected it to.

CHAPTER NINE (#ulink_6c2c374b-4815-5e52-ab0f-bb040fcd3b85)

ANNEKE woke at dawn, opened one eye, groaned, then rolled over and tried to capture sleep. Two hours would be great, but she’d settle for one.

Ten minutes later she gave up on it and slid out of bed. An early-morning swim, then she’d shower, have breakfast, and package the small Christmas cakes designated as gifts ready to consign to the postal services tomorrow.