She pretends to pout.

I shrug but wish she'd sit her pert little everything next to me. I offer, "Okay. Have it your way."

"Tell me," she begs.

I shake my head. "You'll see later, Sunshine."

Seventeen

GEORGIA

"That was delicious," I state.

Sebastian grins. "Told you. If there's one thing I know, it's barbecue. I'll leave the pecan pie to you." He glances over at Nancy, who's fixing a slice for us.

"Sebastian Cartwright," a woman in a booth behind me says in a low voice.

His face hardens.

The other woman declares, "I'm sure she won't last long either."

Sebastian's face turns red and heat ignites on my cheeks too.

I love this quaint town, but I don't understand these people's manners. The gossip is out of control. I can't blame Sebastian for staying away, except that his family's amazing.

The women continue talking, and I glance behind me, glaring. A redhead catches my leer, but she doesn't seem to care. She leans closer to the table, refocuses on her friend, and states, "The wedding is Saturday. We'll see if she gets down the aisle."

Appalled at her audacity, I jump up, slide next to Sebastian, and tug his head toward mine.

"What are you doing, Sunshine?" he asks.

"I can't wait to marry you," I declare, then smash my lips to his and slip my tongue in his mouth. It's a bit clumsy, but he quickly slides his hands in my hair, then takes control of our kiss.

He sets the pace, slowing me down. He pulls back from time to time, intensely staring at me, his thumbs tracing my jaw and lips.

Every time he does it, I catch my breath, dying for him to put his mouth back on mine. No one kisses like Sebastian Cartwright. It makes me wonder how any woman could have ever let him go.

He appeases my wishes several times, and I soon forget we're in a restaurant. I barely hear Nancy when she clears her voice and chirps, "Pecan pie, lovebirds."

Flustered and flushed, I retreat, but he keeps his eyes locked on mine. I barely glance at Nancy. "Thanks."

"Do you need anything else?" She smirks.

"No, we're good," Sebastian says, still holding my cheeks and staring at me.

My insides quiver. No man has ever looked at me the way he does. It's like he's seeing me at a depth others can't.

He releases me, and Nancy walks off. He motions to the table. "Eat your pie, Sunshine."

I catch my breath, but my pulse still races. I pick up a fork and take a bite. The gooey mixture melts in my mouth, and I moan. "Mmm."

Sebastian watches me, cocking his eyebrows.

I chew and swallow, then take a sip of water. "Well, you did it."

"What's that?" he questions.

"You found the world's best pecan pie for me."

He tosses his arm in the air. "Yes! Score one for me."