“He smiled at her, and Sophie’s emotions went to war. She had always admired Banallt’s intellect and his easy manner with her. He never had condescended to her or made her feel unworthy or insignificant. But how could she forget him arriving at Rider Hall with Tommy, drunk and with a woman who was not respectable? All the times he’d watched her with his unsettling eyes and then left with Tommy. The night he’d admitted he was unfaithful to his marriage and saw no reason to change.” ScandalSophieCarolyn Jewel Book:Scandal Source: Scandal
“He headed for the door but stopped halfway. “I love you, Sophie. I love you with my soul.” Her bare arms held up the duvet. “Don’t ruin this, Banallt, please.” “I’m not a villain from one of your novels, Sophie.” She stared at him, wide-eyed. “Unlike them, I can change. I have changed.” Unfortunately, she didn’t believe him.” ScandalSophieBanalltCarolyn Jewel Book:Scandal Source: Scandal
“He stopped moving for the space of a heartbeat. He bent his head to her shoulder and rocked his hips, pressing inside her. His hair fell forward around either side of his face, a frame of black, silky where it brushed her collarbone. “I am in paradise.” His hips rocked again. She closed her eyes tight. She felt his lips on her cheek and then on her eyelids, placing gentle kisses.” ScandalSophieBanalltCarolyn Jewel Book:Scandal Source: Scandal
“His hands tightened on her shoulders as the truth washed over him. My God, she really had told him yes. He opened his mouth to ask if she was certain then didn’t. If he did, she might change her mind, and he had no intention of giving her that opportunity. Underneath his hands, her shoulders quivered. She raised her gaze to him again, and his heart plunged into the depths. She had her lower lip trapped between her teeth, and her eyes were tormented pools of blue green. His heart broke just looking at her. She was not in love with him. He knew that. Her acceptance of him had nothing to do with the sort of desperate longing he had for her. Not that he hadn’t known that the first time he proposed to her, but to have her say yes out of despair added an edge of pain to his euphoria. He knew she wasn’t indifferent to him, after all, and for the moment, that sufficed to keep the hurt at arm’s length.” ScandalSophieBanalltCarolyn Jewel Book:Scandal Source: Scandal
“Is it possible?” He could have sworn she was teasing. She shouldn’t have the energy for that. “What?” He lay next to her on his stomach, wrung out. Completely and utterly sated and yet thinking of the things he yet wanted to do to her. “You did.” Her voice was light, teasing even. “What?” “You begged, my lord.” He laughed softly. “To have you make love to me like that, I’ll beg you every night of my life, Lady Banallt.” ScandalSophieBanalltCarolyn Jewel Book:Scandal Source: Scandal