I understood her hesitation. While I’d always been forthcoming with details of my past relationships or dates, I’d been stubbornly closed mouth about what was between me and Sebastian. “Ohhhhyes.”
“Really?”
“Aye.” I stared smugly at Sebastian. “Twice now I’ve almost blacked out.”
“Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
“Well done, Mr. Thorne.”
“There should be a monetary reward for his achievements. He should teach classes. Men should pay him for those classes.”
Sierra giggled loudly and Sebastian glanced over his shoulder, eyebrow raised in questioning amusement.
“Don’t tell him that, though,” I said hurriedly. “It’s good to keep him on his toes. Keeps him eager andmotivated.”
My friend laughed harder.
“What’s so funny?” Sebastian called back to us, smiling.
“We’re just happy,” Sierra called back.
His expression softened as he glanced between us and nodded before turning around.
My friend sighed sappily. “Make a clone ofhimand I might consider settling down.”
I grinned, hugging her closer, beyond giddy that Sierra approved of my Sebastian.
As beautiful as the day started, unfortunately, it did not end well.
Late afternoon, Sebastian, Sierra, and I made a wee picnic and ate it outside. Then we changed into swimwear to hang out by the pool again. Zac, Harry, and Maddie returned and soon joined us.
“Guess who we bumped into,” Zac said as he waded into the water behind Maddie and Harry. He answered before Sebastian could ask who. “Colette.” He pronounced it with a French accent.
Sebastian had his arms around me, I was floating against his chest, so I felt his sudden tension. Realization clenched my gut before Zac blithely continued in explanation to the rest of us. “Colette is the daughter of a shop owner in the village. Sebastian hooked up with her two years ago.”
Harry cut him an annoyed look before changing the subject. “Who wants a beer? I’ll grab them.”
“Those French girls know what they’re doing.” Zac ignored him.
Sebastian’s arms tightened around me. “Zac?—”
“I swear I can’t even look her in the eye now. What was it you called her? The Dyson?” He laughed uproariously.
“The Dyson?” Maddie asked stupidly.
“Zero gag reflex,” Sebastian’s moronic friend explained.
“Would you shut the fuck up?” Sebastian snapped angrily.
Zac’s expression fell. “What?” He looked at me, and he blanched. “Lily, I’m sorry. I forgot.”
I gave a brittle shake of my head, waving off his apology. But the reminder that Sebastian had been a manwhore, mixed with my insecurity over my own abilities in that area, plus the idea ofhim talking about a woman in that way … I wanted to shrug off his embrace.
“And I never called her that. You did.” Sebastian bent his head to my ear. “I promise.”
I nodded, shivering at the caress of his breath on my skin.
