Chapter Twenty-Three
Emery
Disoriented, I blink my eyes until they adjust to the dark room. Shadow’s light snoring carries through the air, and I sigh in relief at the familiar sound and the recognizable features of the room I’ve been staying in for the past week.
A fuzzy memory of being in Sebastian’s arms comes back to me. Along with one of Sebastian’s lips pressed against my forehead, my scar.
Did that really happen?
Lifting my hand, I brush my fingers against the scar above my eyebrow. I’ll never forget the day I got it. It was the same day I realised I had no other option but to escapehim.
I never expected Sebastian to want to sit down for dinner together. Apart from our twocloseencounters, we’ve mostly kept to ourselves, but last night was different.
I nearly told him.
I don’t know how he knows anything, but when he stood in front of me with his hand on my face and his lips against mine, asking me to tell him who I was running from, I nearly did.
It feels like a dream, except the last thing I remember is being on the couch, and I don’t remember putting myself to bed. And from the less than comfortable clothing situation, it’s apparent I’m still wearing my jeans and not the leggings that have become my go-to ‘pyjamas.’
The door opens, and I still. I close my eyes and try to even out my breathing.
Most mornings, I hear Sebastian come in to get Shadow before his morning run, and every time, I pretend to be asleep.
Soft steps enter the room, and I hear Shadow rouse, but they don’t leave straight away. I struggle to keep up the act, and my heart beats too loud. It’s probably only a minute before the door clicks shut again, and I blow out a long breath.
Turning over, I pull the sheets over my shoulders, holding them tight around me. My mind can’t seem to stop the replay of last night. Something shifted. His questions felt personal. Even when he asked me how old I was, it felt more.
Twenty.
I missed my birthday.
I didn’t even notice the date come and go nearly a month ago.
Another year older. Restless, I turn over again, burrowing under the thick covers so only the top of my head is exposed. Then there was Easton’s unexpected visit as well.
Could he really find out anything about me?
I thought about telling Sebastian what happened, but what good would that do? I do believe Easton is only looking out for Sebastian—he needs someone who cares for him like that around. I don’t want to come between him and his best friend.
I try to go back to sleep, but after tossing and turning for half an hour, I finally throw the covers off and sit up. Muted morning light filters through the bedroom as I pull the curtains open. It’s still early, but between the grey overcast sky and the darker clouds on the horizon, it doesn’t look like we’ll have much sun today.
After making the bed, I head for the kitchen, but as I’m about to turn, the lift doors slide open, and Sebastian steps out with Shadow at his side.
He’s looking at his phone, so he doesn’t notice me standing there, giving me plenty of time to take him in. He’s wearing a pair of black sweats with a black t-shirt that shows off his arms perfectly.
I’ve only ever seen him in something other than a suit a few times and never from this close. He might never wear a tie and often ditches his jacket, but he still always looks the part.
This.
This is something else, and I’m not sure which I like more. There’s something exhilarating about seeing him like this. His hair is damp, darkened with sweat from his run, and despite that, all I want to do is run my fingers through it.
Still unaware of my presence, he grabs the bottom of his shirt and lifts it, revealing the dips and lines of his hard stomach, and I gulp. He then uses the material to wipe the bottom of his face, catching any rivulets of sweat before they fall.
My focus gravitates to the deepV-like grooves disappearing beneath his black sweats and what I would find if I followed them. I’m so invested in what I see, I don’t notice Shadow heading my way until he’s right in front of me, drawing Sebastian’s line of sight.
I snap my gaze away from his bared skin as he drops the edge of his shirt, letting it fall back into place. But from the dark look he gives me, I know I’ve been caught.
My face feels like it’s on fire, and it only gets hotter when he stalks towards me. His chest brushes against mine as he stops in front of me, the movement causing the lace of my bra to graze my nipples, hardening them between us.