"I am completely healthy, Sebastian. If you settle a moment—"
"Like hell you are!" His wicked mouth tightened obstinately.
"I'm with child," she confessed with a sigh.
" What? Oh, God!" He dropped to his knees before her, his mouth pressing reverently to her forehead. "Bloody hell, why didn't you tell me before?"
"I never had the time. What with your persistent ravishment and the events of yesterday, when did I have the opportunity?" She leaned forward, burying her face in his shoulder, breathing in the scent of his skin.
"Olivia. Sweetheart." Sebastian pressed his mouth to her throat. "I love you.
Please. You have to believe that."
"I do."
"I won't ever leave you again. If I have to journey anywhere, you'll travel with me."
She nodded. "I'm starting to believe you, my love."
"Yes. Believe me." He pulled back to look at her, his intense blue eyes filled with heartrending tenderness. "I'm no longer the man I was when I met you.
You've given me reason to change, to hope. Reason to love."
Her small hands stroked his back. "Hush, darling," she soothed, trying to stem the flow of fervent words. "You're overwrought."
" Overwrought? Men do not become overwrought. I do not become overwrought."
Olivia cupped his face in her hands, smothering a smile. "Beautiful, sweet Sebastian. I've upset your delicate sensibilities."
He scowled. "Delicate sensibilities?"
"Yes, dear. I apologize. I'll have to be more careful the next time I tell you such news. You're high-strung."
"High-strung?" He released a frustrated breath. "Bloody everlasting hell, you've gone mad."
She pressed her smiling lips to his. "Don't swear," she admonished.
And then she kissed him breathless.