“Sebastian stretched. Clara stared. She could not help it. He was still in his breeches and shirt and she was riveted by the deliciously tight fit of the buckskins over his thighs."You could avert your eyes," Sebastian said mildly. "I could," Clara agreed, "but I am not going to."He smiled. "Hussy.""I know. But I have waited a long time--”

“He'll admit to his feelings when he's in his cups."The valet nodded. "That's true, ma'am. If we could get him drunk."Clara stifled a laugh. "I am not certain I would want a man who has to be drunk to admit his love for me.”

“In a letter to Sebastian..."My brother is preoccupied with affairs of state and all the more suitable of his friends are unavailable at present, which only leaves you..."Seb winced. The minx. She knew how to deliver a neat insult.”

“Congratulations?" Martin's expression was like boiling milk. "Congratulations? I will not permit my sister to marry such a rogue.""Martin, darling." Juliana said, putting a gentle hand on her husband's arm, "I completely understand your misgivings but I do think we should consider the matter calmly.""Calmly!" Martin spun around. "I am not calm!""I think we all realize that, dearest," Juliana said.”

“His lips met mine again, this time in a slow, soft caress, conveying everything he had just said in those beautiful words that had reached my very soul. I could have drowned in that kiss. I could have lived there for eternity. It filled me up with everything I needed to survive. He gave me life through his lips and I treasured it.”

“I watched as he comprehended what it was that he saw on my face, in my eyes. And I watched as a part of him shut down, locked away from me forever. And I hid the fact that my heart was breaking even as I lied to him, even as I broke his. And I swore I would never let him know otherwise, or I would truly be lost and the war would be over.”

“ Quit looking at me like that, Rae," Sebastian rumbled. " Like what?" Raelynn purred and rolled onto her back, stretching her arms above her head. Sebastian growled, his eyes darkening with desire as his gaze licked over her. " Like you're ready to jump me."Raelynn shrugged. " I am ready to jump you," she said. Sebastian's butt flexed, making Raelynn smile lazily. She wanted to bite that butt.”