“Why do you look so sad?” Sebastian asked, his words tinged with both amusement and concern. We were still in the shower, and the water sprayed against his back, soaking his hair and dripping down his naked torso. He looked like some sort of seagod who’d deigned to grace the mortal lands with his presence.
“I’m not sad.” The sound of the shower muffled my voice. “I’m, well…” I was too embarrassed to continue.
“Well, what?” He reached up to smooth a lock of hair out of my face. “You can tell me.”
I sighed, my face heating. “I’m upset I lost our bet.”
I wasso surehe’d crack before me, but then he did that thing with his tongue, and I was a goner.
Sebastian blinked. A beat passed before laughter rumbled from his chest. It started low, but it gradually built and built until his shoulders shook with unrestrained mirth.
“It’s not funny!” I protested.
His eyes gleamed with humor, but he regained enough control to ask, “Do you want me to fuck you,mon ange?”
“Not anymore,” I grumbled. “Not after you laughed in my face.”
“I’m sorry.” He was still laughing, but the sound gradually faded as he placed his hands on my hips and drew me to him. He pressed his mouth to my shoulder. “Tell me. Is that what you want?” He kissed his way up my neck, his lips teasing my earlobe. “For me to fuck you in the shower?”
This time, my sigh was softer, more pliant. “Maybe.”
“Maybe isn’t good enough. Give me a yes or no.”
I closed my eyes when he nibbled on my earlobe. A shiver ghosted down my spine. He always knew exactly how and where to touch me to make me lose control. “Yes.”
“See?” Sebastian’s voice was husky now, no trace of amusement to be found. “All you had to do was ask.” He maneuvered us so my back was against the wall. “We’ve waited long enough, and you came so beautifully on my face.” Another chuckle slipped out when I blushed. “I think you deserve a reward. Don’t you?”
I sucked in a sharp inhale when he slid inside me. Even thoughwe hadn’t had proper sex in over a month, my body molded around his like it was made for him—or his was made for me.
My eyes fluttered shut again when he started moving. I was still hypersensitive from my earlier orgasms, and it didn’t take long before I was floating on a cloud of bliss again.
Unlike our first time, this was slow and sensual, our bodies moving in perfect sync as Sebastian kissed me with unhurried thoroughness. It wasn’t about achieving orgasm as much as it was aboutbeingtogether, and when I came, it was a sweet, gentle crest instead of blinding intensity. It was no less pleasurable than my previous highs, but it was more intimate. More profound.
“Je t’aime,” Sebastian whispered, resting his forehead against mine. “I love you.”
Warmth unspooled in my chest. I melted against him, my reply coming out on a sigh. “I love you too.”
I love you.It was the first time we’d said those words to each other as adults. He’d told me in his letter, but that was over a dozen years and thousands of miles ago.
This was different. This was here and now, and it wasreal. So real I felt it settle deep within my bones, anchoring me.
Most couples agonized over when to say the L word because they wanted to time it perfectly, or they weren’t sure whether the other person felt the same way. But for us—for me—the wordscame as naturally as breathing.
I guess part of me had always known, from the moment Sebastian and I had met, that our lives would be intertwined forever. Our relationship could’ve gone one of two ways, and we’d spent most of our lives on the other path. I was glad we’d made it to this one.
Now that we’d found each other, we wouldn’t get lost again.
I was sure of it.
CHAPTER 34
Maya
I FINALLY TOLD MY FRIENDS THAT SEBASTIAN AND Iwere dating a month into our relationship.
Between work, travel, and family obligations, we hadn’t had much time to connect in the new year, and this was our first real girls’ night in months. It seemed like the perfect time to break the news.
They reacted with varying degrees of shock and elation, though they weren’tquiteas surprised as I would’ve expected.
