Kalen’s voice cuts through the noise a moment later. “Jeremy, shut the fuck up.”
I can’t help laughing softly. “Juniper purposely pushes Kalen’s buttons, and honestly, I don’t think Kalen minds.” I tell Sebastian because the mood has been broken, and I’m feeling uneasy with the silence between us.
Sebastian leans down again, pressing one more slow kiss to my lips before pulling back. “Finish the grilled cheese,” he murmurs. His voice carries that same quiet authority from earlier. “I’ll know if you don’t.”
I pout automatically. “You don’t have to be so bossy.”
His expression changes instantly to one of indignation, like me not looking after myself is a personal attack on him. “You could have gotten seriously sick,” he says.
I blow out a small breath that turns into a quiet laugh. “Bossy and dramatic.”
Sebastian’s hand returns to my jaw, holding my face gently but firmly so I can’t look away from him.
“Just with you,” he says in a low voice. “So don’t make me come back in here tonight.” The rasp in his tone makes my stomach flip.
Part of me wants to argue.
Another part of me, one I barely recognize, wishes he would stay with me the entire night.
Sebastian stands slowly, unfolding to his full height beside the bathtub. I suddenly feel very aware of how big he is, how much space he fills just by being here.
“I need to leave,” he says, his voice tight now. “Before I do something you’re not ready for.”
Heat rushes up my neck at the implication.
Before stepping away, he pauses in the doorway and looks back at me. “I’m going to find out who sent that message,” he says quietly.
The sincerity in his voice makes something deep in my chest tighten. “I promise.”
Then he slips out of the bathroom.
A moment later I hear him in the living room. “Livy’s resting,” he says sharply. “Don’t go in there, or I’ll kill you.”
Jeremy snorts.
Kalen mutters something under his breath.
Then the front door of the apartment opens and shuts.
I sink deeper into the warm bathwater, pressing my fingertips gently against my lips where Sebastian kissed me.
And for the first time in a long time, a genuine smile spreads across my face.
BASH
The street bike vibrates beneath me, the engine idling low and restless between my legs as the night settles over the empty industrial block. We’re on a job Caiden texted us about an hour ago. I’m annoyed that I can’t spend time with my girl right now. I haven’t seen her all day, and after that kiss last night, I’m practically feral to be near her again. I fucking came in my pants just from kissing her, and that just proves how much I want her. I want to do it again, though. I want to kiss her when she’s not exhausted from not sleeping. I want to pull her on my lap and let her feel just what she does to me.
But unfortunately we’ve gotta roll three deep to drop some papers off to a shady motherfucker Caiden is doing business with. Riven is on duty back at school watching over Juniper and Livy…and I guess Jeremy’s imaginary wife.
Jeremy sits to my left, one boot planted on the asphalt while the neon-green glow of his mask cuts through the darkness like something out of a nightmare. Kalen has his mask pulled up so it rests on the top of his head. He doesn’t give a fuck, and the only reason I still have mine on is because Caiden probably has birds taking pictures of us and reporting back to him on his littlemountain. Kalen leans casually against his bike on my right with his arms folded, looking completely relaxed even though we’re here to meet some of the most dangerous people in the country.
From shit I’ve put together over my time here, Kalen is cousins with the Moretti triplets. They’re not only members of the notorious Saints of the Black Crown Society, but they’re also Italian mafia heirs. I guess he’s a little more used to this shit than I am. Jeremy is in his own little world, dancing with his upper body to whatever music he’s got playing in his headphones.
I’m just glad he’s not yapping, because tonight my mind refuses to stay where my body is.
My mind is still stuck in the bathroom filled with steam last night. I’d like to say I’ve been productive today, trying to find out who attacked that girl and if it’s connected to Livy, but I’ve had such a hard time concentrating. My girl looked stunning sitting in that bathtub with her hair damp and her eyes wide. She was so trusting, and she let me take care of her without a fight, and I know both of those things are hard for her.
My dick twitches in my jeans when I think about the way her lips felt against mine. Her skin is softer than I imagined, and I could have literally spent the entire night kissing her and feeling every inch of her body. Her breasts fit perfectly into my hands. I wanted more of her. I needed all of her, and if I’m honest, I don’t know how long I can deprive myself.
