My Fake Rake

“Appreciate the suggestion.” Seb couldn’t find it in himself to feel any embarrassment. He only wanted Grace. For this day and every day after.

Together, they climbed the creaking stairs. His hand shook as he tried to fit the key into the lock. God, but he was eager. After taking a steadying breath, he finally managed to unlock the door, and opened it.

They were inside a heartbeat later, locking up behind them. The details of the room barely registered—a simple bed, a nightstand, shuttered windows letting in soft light—before he could wait no longer, and pressed his body to hers against the closed door. Their mouths found each other, hot and demanding, open with desire. He stroked his hands everywhere—along the curve of her cheek, down her neck, over her breasts, cupping her waist—and she did the same to him. Only when she caressed him did he realize how dormant he’d been, because every part of him roared to life at her touch.

Yet . . .

She stepped back. “Please,” she gasped, when he reached for her. “I must apologize first.”

“For what?”

“For being such a sodding idiot,” she said with a shake of her head. “I complained that Mason didn’t see me, but I didn’t see you. I was stubborn and selfish, and it took far too long for me to realize how much I undervalued you. My wise, funny, generous Sebastian.”

She wiped at the tears that traced down her cheeks. “Here I was, angry with your father for failing to appreciate you, and I went and did the same thing. I hope,” she continued, “you might forgive me someday. Lord knows I don’t merit forgiveness.”

He exhaled, and gave a little nod. He couldn’t pretend that she hadn’t hurt him—she deserved the full truth.

“It’s not complete absolution,” she said with a tremulous smile, “but I’m willing to work for it. Willing to work for you.”

“I was . . .” He cleared his throat. “I ought to have said something to you, about how I felt. I didn’t want you to think that I was your friend because I wanted something from you. Truth is, I was happy to be with you, however I could. And I never dared hope that you could love me.” His jaw tensed as he tried to hold back his own tears, but there was no harm in showing his emotions. So when a few drops fell from his eyes, he didn’t try to hide them.

“I do, Sebastian.” She went to him and looped her arms around his neck, then kissed his wet cheeks. “I do love you. And it’s my intention to spend the rest of my life doing exactly that. If you’ll let me.”

“My lady,” he said gravely, curving his hands around her waist, “not only will I let you, I plan to spend the rest of my life loving you in return.”

He lowered his head to kiss her just as she raised up to meet his lips with her own. Sweetness gave way to heat within moments, their mouths opening to take great, greedy drafts of each other. His hips thrust against hers, and he growled when she widened her stance to bring him closer.

“I can’t wait for you any longer,” she whispered between kisses. “Take me to bed. Now.”

There was a knock at the door, making Seb snarl. “Got your bath,” the innkeeper said, his words muffled.

Yes. Seb very much needed that bath. He unlocked then opened the door, and the innkeeper trundled in, bearing a wooden tub. A lad and a girl carried buckets of steaming water, which they poured into the tub. The girl pulled a bar of soap from her apron pocket and left it on the tub’s edge. She also set a towel on the washstand.

“Be back later to pick everything up,” the innkeeper said with a wink. He shooed the lad and girl out of the room before taking his own leave.

When the innkeeper had gone, Seb locked the door once more and turned to Grace. “Hope you can wait five minutes more. Three weeks of wandering leave a man less than sparkling.”

“By all means. But first.” She turned her back to him, and said over her shoulder, “The hooks. I want to be naked so that, once you’ve had your bath, there’s no more dallying.”

Never had his hands trembled as much as they did then. But he mastered himself enough to undo the fastenings. The gown slid from her body as she stepped out from it. He could have gladly spent the next five years admiring her in her underclothes, but she made quick work of them, including her shift and stockings. A moment later, she stood before him, naked.