“Sebastian,” I answer, darting my tongue along his lower lip.

Slowly, he backs me into the wall, planting his hands on either side of my face, and I’m reminded of the first time I saw him paint. The way he dominated me in the hallway that day sent me aflutter and now is no different.

He retreats by two inches, and I dart my tongue out again, capturing the focus of his heated gaze.

“Since I’m going to marry you, don’t you think it’s time I tasted you?”

My lips part, but no words come out. Only shallow breaths rife with longing escape my mouth.

He presses a finger against my lips. “I’m not talking about a kiss.”

I’m not sure what he means until he drops to his knees and reaches underneath my skirt to tug at my panties. He pulls them down my thighs, and I can’t hold back a gasp. Silky lace surrounds my ankles.

He orders me to step out of the fabric, then he looks up at me with pure desire in his eyes. “Spread your legs.”

Oh God. As my thighs part, the bareness of my pussy sends a shiver down my limbs. Gooseflesh rises on my skin, but the space between my legs grows hotter by the second.

“Hold your skirt up and don’t let go.”

Hands shaking, I grip the light cotton material and raise it above my hips, exposing myself to him.

“Did Liam put his mouth on you?”

“Yes.”

“Did he make you come?”

I nod, unable to verbalize my own name at this point.

“How long has it been since you came?”

“Since Liam.”

“Jesus Christ, Novalee. No wonder your pussy’s begging for my tongue.”

His words send a sharp visual spiraling through my mind, and a pleading whimper escapes me. I lose the strength in my knees, and before I melt into a hot, wet puddle on the floor, he grips my thighs, fingers pressing into my skin as he holds me upright.

Our eyes lock. Mine are begging. His are smug.

His tongue runs across his lower lip, and I remember how that lip tasted moments ago, as light and brief as our almost-kiss was.

Just a hint of something sweet.

A tease of something addicting.

Something undeniably Sebastian.

“Do you want me?” It’s the most earnest question he’s ever asked me, and maybe I’ve lost my mind because I’m certain doubt blankets his tone.

“I want you.”

No hesitation. No second-guessing or analyzing the hurtful things he’s said and done. It might as well be the two of us alone in this tower, because my existence narrows to the man kneeling between my legs as he puts his mouth on me.

“Oh!”