Prying open an eye, she saw Sebastian striding across the chamber, clad in a crimson brocade robe. She must have been sleeping quite heavily, for she hadn’t been aware of his leaving the bed. The last thing she remembered was being held fast against his length, his arms a haven that shielded her from all harm. She recalled stirring once. His arms came harder around her, as if he couldn’t bear to let her go. A wondrous thought, that. She wanted to savor not just the heated passion that sizzled between them but the breathless feeling of closeness, of be longing. She needed to stow it away deep inside for the days when...But no. No. She wouldn’t think about that. She wanted to allow nothing to taint this, the most precious memory of her life. He came to sit beside her on the bed, one hand be hind his back. The other drifted over the slope of one bare shoulder. Hers lay curled on the counterpane, just beneath her chin. He plucked it from its resting place. With his lips he nuzzled each knuckle.
