The castle was quiet. When she saw the first guard on her way out the front door, she worried he’d stop her and tell her to go back to her bedroom, but he just nodded her way and kept walking. Sarai was right. They wouldn’t stop her from leaving.

A stone walkway led into the dimly lit gardens. Large rose bushes in colors she’d never seen adorned the path. Wind swirled around her, bringing the lovely scent of flowers to her nose.

This place was so pretty. Peaceful. If she’d come under different circumstances, she’d love the castle.

The atmosphere took an electric feel as she got farther down the path. She got to a spot where it split. A statue family with a baby pointed down one path, and a weeping angel down the other.

There was been too much stress in her life already. She chose the couple with the baby and continued forward.

Beautiful new plants in bright colors greeted her along the way. Her mother used to love her garden. It was small compared to this place, but she was out daily, talking to her plants. If only her mom had a chance to see this place. Thoughts of her mom reminded her of all the things she used to tell Harper about love.

Her mind immediately focused on Sebastian. No. No. No. He abducted her, for cripes’ sake! So what if he’d been a gentleman so far? And gotten her a new wardrobe. She didn’t need new clothes.

Even if they were amazing and comfortable. She didn’t care that he was gorgeous and wild with that air of ultimate power that made her girl parts tingle. Or had amazing blue eyes with golden blonde hair she’d been itching to slide her fingers through.

No. Who cared that he gave her a gorgeous room in an amazing castle with people who had so far treated her like she was a guest? He still threatened to kill her father. The asshole sperm donor who probably did something to deserve his death, but still.

Did he really have to have a baby to live? And if so, could she do it? She wanted to see him dead just as much as she wanted to cut off her arm. The thought made her chest hurt. She wasn’t the type of person to wish ill on anyone. What about the attraction between you?

Good question. If they were in an actual relationship, she could see herself agreeing to have a baby with him. Ah, fuck. She needed to be honest. She might agree now and figure shit out later. Maybe joint custody could work. Or maybe you could just keep the big sexy beast. Right.

“Couldn’t sleep?”

She gasped and slapped a hand to her chest. “What is it with you people trying to scare me to death!”

Sebastian chuckled and prowled closer from between the darkened trees. “You were talking to yourself. Debating something under your breath.”

She shoved her hands into her robe and shrugged. “I have a lot to think about.”

“It seems to be stressing you.”

She gave a harsh laugh. “What do you expect? You bring me here, tell me my father traded my life for his, and oh, you need me to have a baby with you.” She gave him a hard look. “It’s a lot for a Monday.”

His lips lifted into a grin she shouldn’t find attractive, but at this point, she wasn’t even going to question her body’s reaction to him.

“What if we take the baby off the table. Will you stay here and get to know me?”

She frowned. “I thought you had to have a child to stay alive?”

“I do, but I think the idea is stopping you from seeing me in a good light.”

Oh, he looked damn good in this light. It was herself she was worried about. “Then let’s be real here,” she said, letting her desire for him guide her. “You want me to see you in a good light after you said you’d kill my father if I don’t stay here?”

“You’re not a prisoner. You’re free to stay or leave, but you’re right, your father traded your life for his, so he will stay alive as long as you remain.”

She sighed. “If we take the baby thing off the table, what do you want?”

“I want you, Harper.” He said the words in a whisper at the same time he took hold of her arms. “I want you to spend time with me. To see me and not the scars.”

She frowned. Scars were the last thing she saw when she looked at him, but it clearly bothered him. “That’s it? You want a one-night stand?”

“No. Never. What I want could never happen in just one night, but I’ll take that as a start.”

She gulped. “I don’t know…”

He raised a hand to her face, cupping her jaw. The slight touch sent tiny electric pricks down her spine. “Don’t think, love,” he whispered softly, his head coming closer to hers. “Just feel.”

She found herself reeled in by his golden gaze. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. Then his lips were softly brushing hers. A sigh escaped her. The feel of his lips was heaven. She gave a whispery moan and he groaned. The innocent kiss turned hot, dark, and dangerous.

He grabbed her waist and pressed her against his hard body. Her fingers gripped the T-shirt, bringing him even closer. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, his arm under her legs and the other around her back.

Their lips stayed locked, his tongue thrusting in and out of her mouth, rubbing over hers and driving her slowly insane.

She pulled back from the kiss, brushed her lips over his growing beard and licked circles over the thudding heartbeat in his throat.

“Fuck, Harper,” he groaned, his voice so rough, it was hard to understand him. “You’re making me crazy. I want you. Look at me, beautiful.”

She glanced into those sexy golden eyes that kept her mesmerized. “I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.” She licked her bottom lip. “I don’t know why you want me, but I’m not worldly. I’m boring. I don’t have much experience with that.”

He lowered his face to hers, taking her lips in another scorching kiss. “I don’t want you to be someone else. I want you exactly as you are.”

Her heart melted at those words. Exactly as she was? Could it be? Was he the man who wouldn’t try to change how she wore her hair or the fact she loved to read instead of doing crazy things like most girls her age?

She wasn’t a party animal. She’d learned to be responsible from an early age, so she was more comfortable amongst older people.

He slowly lowered her to the floor, still holding her close to him. “I won’t push you, but I want you to spend time with me.”

She glanced away, trying to put an emotional distance between them. “You need me to have your baby.”

“I would die a happy man if it means spending the time I have left with you.”

“I need to think,” she said, turning away from him.

“Come,” he said and took her hand. “I know a shortcut back to your room.”