He stands near the doorway, arms crossed over his chest like he’s trying not to look at me.
Except he is.
And I’m looking too.
His flannel hangs open just enough to see the plain white tee stretched across his chest. His jaw is rough with end-of-dayscruff. His eyes, those mountain-storm gray eyes, are fixed on mine now.
Unmoving.
Unblinking.
"You warm?" he asks.
"Getting there."
Neither of us moves.
Then I take one step forward.
And he closes the space like it costs him something.
His hand brushes my jaw, then cups it. His thumb skims my cheek. I tilt my face into it without thinking.
"You gonna kiss me again, ladder man?" I whisper.
"Yeah," he growls. "I am."
Then he does.
His mouth crashes into mine, and everything else falls away.
His hands are on my waist, then up my back, pulling me closer like I’m the only thing anchoring him. I grip his shirt in both hands, trying to breathe and kiss him and stay standing all at once.
He groans against my mouth. "You’re driving me insane."
"Good," I whisper, breathless.
He pulls back a fraction, just enough to meet my eyes. His thumb brushes my cheek. "Say the word and I’ll stop."
I swallow hard."Don’t stop."
The words feel bold, but I mean them. I’ve never wanted anything like this. Never wanted anyone like this.
"I want you," I say quietly, voice shaking. "But I need you to know something."
His body goes still. He waits.
"I’ve never… done this before," I admit. "I’ve never slept with anyone."
Silence. Just the sound of the fire popping softly behind us.
Sebastian’s expression doesn’t shift to surprise or pity. It darkens. Deepens with something like reverence.
"Willa…" he breathes my name like a promise. "We don't need to do this now. You don’t have to prove anything to me."
"I’m not." My voice steadies. "I want you. I’m not scared of you."
A muscle ticks in his jaw. "You should be. I’m not gentle."
