Why wasn’t Professor McAvoy putting a stop to this?
Instead, my lecturer sat on her desk, smiling like she found my ex-best friend incredibly amusing.
Sebastian moved slowly toward the stairs. Toward me. “Lily Sawyer, I have been a thickheaded, stubborn, unforgiveable moron. You know this. I know this. Our friends know this.” He waved to the room as he climbed the auditorium stairs. “And now this room of complete strangers knows this.”
More tittering.
Again, not from me.
I glared at him, my cheeks flushed hot. I was stuck between being infuriated with him for making me the center of attention and furious with him for making me feel hope.
“You were right. I thought I didn’t deserve you.” The teasing note left his tone. “I thought I didn’t deserve anything that made me truly happy.” Sebastian stopped a few steps down from my row so we were on eye level. His were pleading. “Lily, I … I didn’t think I’d ever meet anyone like you, so I wasn’t prepared for you or what you make me feel.”
“Dude, what the fuck?” a guy behind me sniggered.
“Shut up!” someone hissed.
Sebastian ignored them. “I thought I could have just enough of you for it to be okay.” His expression was meaningful, and I understood even though everyone else around didn’t. “It wasn’t fair to you, and I ended up hurting the one person Ineverwant to hurt.”
“Sebastian…”
He took the rest of the steps up to me but lowered onto his knee at my side. “I’m done being a masochistic arsehole. You are so much more important than some stupid vow I didn’t even know I made to myself. If you … ifyouthink I’m worthy of you, then who the hell am I to disagree?”
Oh my goodness. Oh my … I was having difficulty breathing.
“Forgive me, my love. Forgive me and let me love you. Because I do. Lily, I am …” His voice grew low and gruff as his eyes shone with emotion. “I’m so in love with you, I cannot imagine my life without you. I don’t want to. It’s an awful place. It’s bland and boring and I’m very monk-like there.”
My lips twitched even as my hope turned to utter euphoria. “You mean it? Really, truly mean it? You’re not planning to self-flagellate again tomorrow once reality hits?”
“No, no plans for that.” He moved closer so our faces were mere inches apart. He searched mine. “Be my girlfriend, Lily,and I promise I’ll make it my mission to make you happy. I’ll even allow you to make me a research subject in your dissertation.”
I laughed, but it was cut off by Sebastian’s hungry kiss. His hands clasped my face as he kissed me breathless. For a moment, I was swept up in it and the resultant whistles and whoops of my classmates.
But then I reluctantly pulled away. “I didn’t say yes.”
His fingers caressed my cheeks. “You should.”
“After this mortifying display?”
“It was more mortifying for me.”
“You’re not in the least bit embarrassed by this.”
“No, I’m not. I don’t care who knows I love you. Apparently, everyone already did.”
“I didn’t.”
“Well, that’s because you’re blind to the fact that you are the most lovable …” He brushed his lips over mine. “Sexiest …” Another caress of his mouth. “Smartest, kindest, funniest woman in the world. How could I not love you?”
“If she doesn’t want you, I’ll have you!” some girl shouted from behind us.
I scowled.
Sebastian chuckled and then leaned his forehead against mine. “I only see you, Lily Sawyer. Say yes. Before your professor has me forcibly removed.”
A glance toward Professor McAvoy revealed her amused smile was starting to strain. I looked back into Sebastian’s eyes. I … I found I couldn’t quite tell him I loved him back. Even after his grand confession. Not because I didn’t … but because my heart was still badly bruised.
“If you ask me out on a date,” I said, “I’ll probably say yes.”
