Veronica’s nostrils flared, and she continued to watch him with a thunderous glare. “You’re a villain,” she shot out.

“But you already thought that of me,” he said, still smiling. He stood again. “What do I have to lose to sink further in your esteem?”

Veronica cocked her head to the side. “Fine. If you didn’t agree to that rule, then I have two more rules to make.”

Sebastian tipped his head to the side and shrugged. “Seems fair.”

“Though why you’d even want to kiss me is beyond me.” She waved a hand in the air.

She’d said the remark in an offhanded manner, but quickly regretted it when Sebastian stepped forward and leaned down, his mouth hovering near her ear. Gooseflesh popped along her neck, and she tipped her head to the side. His breath was a hot whisper. “It’s not possible for me to bed you and not kiss you. I simply cannot do it. And if you’re honest, you don’t want me to.”

He pulled her into his arms and pressed his nose along the sensitive skin beneath her ear. The gooseflesh spread all the way down her side, and she shivered.

“I felt you shudder when I kissed you,” he continued in the same hot whisper. “I intend to kiss you…everywhere.”

Veronica swallowed. Her heart thumped painfully in her chest. She couldn’t do this. Not now. Not yet. She quickly pulled out of his arms, rushed to her trunk, opened it, and began pulling out clothing in no particular order. She must unpack. It was time to set the clothes to rights. This was too much. Too much, too fast. They were alone in a bedchamber. She couldn’t go to bed with him right now. She needed time to get herself together. Her insides were a mass of nerves. What if it wasn’t like it used to be? Or even worse…what if it was?

She’d only placed a few items in the wardrobe before she turned to see him silently staring at her, arms crossed over his chest, an amused look on his face.

“Can’t Mary see to unpacking your things later?” he drawled as he removed his coat and tossed it atop a nearby chair. His waistcoat soon followed.

Veronica cleared her throat. Unpacking was giving her something to concentrate on besides remembering the quivers that had invaded her spine when the man had kissed her, something besides the tingle between her legs when he’d glanced his lips along her sensitive neck. Something other than the heat that had suffused her whole body, the shiver that had traced its way along her thighs. His words, his actions, his undressing, had completely thrown her off balance. “I’m certain Mary is tired from the long drive,” she replied in a far-too-high voice, dedicated to her task…and avoiding him.

“And you’re not?” he drawled, pulling off his cravat and tossing it on the chair with his other clothing. Dear God. He was disrobing. Disrobing.

“Not partic—” She froze. Drat. She’d walked directly into his trap. She gulped.