I put down my now-empty beer bottle, already feeling a little flushed from the alcohol. I wasn’t kidding when I said I didn’t drink often. I was small and lean, so I was the definition of a lightweight.
Hiccuping, I focused on not tripping over my own feet before leaning over the table and doing my best to line up my cue the way I’d seen Sebastian do it.
“Am I doing it right?” I called over my shoulder, and he chuckled softly.
“Almost, but you’ll miss if you hit it from that angle. Do you mind if I help align you?”
“Uhm, no, I don’t mind. Go ahead,” I said, feeling a shot of adrenaline rush through me as I realized what I’d just agreed to.
Sebastian’s warm body pressed up behind me, and I found myself bracketed by his strong, lightly muscled arms. He wrapped his fingers around my wrists to adjust my hold on the cue.
“Here… move slightly this way…” His mouth was directly next to my ear, and his hot breath sent tingles through my entire body. I nearly choked as he moved his head slightly towards me, the tip of his nose gently brushing the shell of my ear.
I inhaled sharply as his words rumbled over my sensitive skin, and my nose flooded with the scent of saffron and cedar.
“Relax, Milo. Let me?—”
Suddenly, I was hit with the strangest sense of deja vu.
I glanced at my beer, confused for a moment. Hadn’t that been a sparkly blue cocktail a moment ago?
I wasn’t supposed to be here.
Everything feltwrong,and I jerked in Seb’s arms, messing up the shot as my body convulsed.
“Milo?” Seb asked, sounding confused. I spun around so I was leaning back against the table, my hands flying up to his chest as the strange feeling flickered in and out of focus.
“Milo, what’s wrong?” Sebastian was staring down at me from inches away, his perfect face full of concern.
“I-I don’t know… I just had the craziest sense of deja vu… It just… I must still be super tired.”
Sebastian nodded in understanding. He raised his warm hands up to cup the sides of my face, almost as if he couldn’t help himself.
Tiny shocks of sensation sparked between us as he tilted my head back, searching my eyes with a frown on his face.
“You’re okay, though?” he asked softly.
I nodded slightly, still feeling disoriented and maybe a little drunk as he leaned in closer.
“Milo… can I… I want to…” His eyes fell to my lips, and I realized with a start that he was going to kiss me.
There was awooshingsensation in my gut, and I couldn’t tell if I was exhilarated or horrified.
My heart began to pound as he came closer and closer, his warm breath puffing across my lips as he continued to lean in.
Anticipation and something… somethingelsezinged through my body as my fingers curled into his shirt of their own accord.
He was so close.
My stomach felt almost nauseous, and I was frozen.
All I could smell wassaffron,and then?—
The TV turned on randomly, the volume so high and sudden I nearly leapt out of my skin.
“JIMMINEY CHRISTMAS!” I yelped, jerking away from the man who had been seconds away from kissing me.
“What the fuck?” Sebastian spun around, his eyes falling on the screen, which seemed to be glitching out.
