It takes way too long for my brain to connect the dots, but when it does, my heart stutters.
I tighten my grip on Sebastian’s face.He grimaces.I force my eyes to narrow on his.
“You dummy.He could’ve killed you,” I scold.
“He’s alive,” Mr.Carter grumbles, but the hint of amusement as he glances between Sebastian and Brennan fills my heart with wonder.His usual countenance is so stern it’s a balm to see a glimpse of his humor.
“Only because I didn’t fight back,” Sebastian grumbles.
“You still got it worse than I did,” Brennan gloats.Audrey elbows him.He smirks and pulls her against his side.
Sebastian shrugs and trails his thumb down the front of my throat.
“Brick walls will do that.Like I said, I deserved it for lurking around like a creep.I’m glad Penelope has others looking out for her.”
His lips tremble.He tries to hide it with a repentant smile, but my heart stutters in response.
An entire building of bricks lands on my head.I rest my head on his chest and close my eyes.
“I want to go home,” I murmur.
“No, sweet pea.Hospital first,” Sebastian insists.
“It doesn’t hurt anymore,” I lie.
“We’re going to the hospital no matter what you say.You’re showing signs of a concussion,” he says.
An argument rises from my depths, but fatigue closes my mouth.I nod and rest my head back on his chest.
More voices join the fray.I lift my lashes enough to see Hilary stomping toward me, but Audrey catches her by her elbow and tugs her away.The rest of the self-defense class attendees scamper past.
I pull my lip ring into my mouth when I realize Sebastian sits on a blue mat in the main room of the gym with me in his lap.
He rises with ease and stalks toward the front door.His low rumble as he converses with different people lulls me toward sleep, but he jostles me just enough to keep me awake.
I don’t have the energy or want to extend my senses beyond my savior.Someone drives us to the nearest hospital, but I don’t care.I let the nurses and doctors check me over and move me around like a doll, only responding when they ask a direct question.Sebastian holds my hand the entire time.
When my imaging shows no complications and my symptoms subside, they discharge me.I press myself against Sebastian’s side and let him lead me out into the darkness.
He settles me into the passenger seat of his SUV.I don’t know when or how he retrieved it since he never left my side and I don’t recall seeing him on his phone, but maybe my symptoms were worse than I thought.
“I want to go home,” I say.
He reaches over the center console and engulfs my hand with his.
“Mine or yours?”he asks.
“Mine.”
It’s a selfish decision, but I want him in my room.
“Whatever you need, sweet pea,” he says with a chaste kiss to the back of my hand.
“I needyou, Sebastian,” I whisper.
Sandpaper scratches the back of my eyes.I didn’t intend to make a confession tonight, but some things can’t wait.
He rubs his lips side to side over my knuckles as he responds.
