“I’d say you do,” Seb agreed, thinking of the day before and how quickly he had moved, how even in the morning grogginess, he had been alert.
Declan turned to the window, and they each looked out across the view. For the first time that day, Seb was able to appreciate the light on the snow and the shadows of the trees without worrying there was something lurking there, waiting to try to grab him.
Without really thinking, he took a small step closer, just enough to take in a deep breath and remember Declan’s scent.
“What if your old man hadn’t tossed you in science school?” Declan asked. “What do you think you would have been then?”
“A scientist,” Seb answered with a laugh. “What about you?”
“A criminal, probably.”
They each laughed again. Something about the way Declan said that made Seb feel like it was true, and that gave him a whole other kind of thrill. Like Declan wasn’t only a shield for Seb—he could be a sword, too.
At least in Seb’s persistent fantasies. In real life, he reminded himself that Declan was there for a paycheck, nothing more.
Declan took another drink of his soda, then shook his head. “I should get going. I should make a round outside again tonight.” He lifted the soda in the air, then shot that big smile again. “Thanks for the drink.”
“Wait,” Seb said quickly, searching for an excuse to extend their time together. “There’s three security guards on the house now. Do you still need to go out?”
Declan narrowed his eyes. “It’s only smart. I don’t know those people out front. They could be careless.”
“It’s so cold,” Seb said, stepping closer again. “And maybe things are safer if you stay close to me, anyway.” Shame burned at him as he came so close to begging Declan to stay, but he couldn’t help himself.
Declan’s face softened. “Would you feel better if I stayed close?”
Seb’s lips parted, and he felt the word on his tongue, dancing at the back of his teeth until he was finally able to say it. “Yes, I would.”
Declan smiled, one corner of his mouth twitching up. “That’s all you need to say, Sebastian,” he answered.
“Seb,” he said. “Call me Seb.”
“Seb.”
A wave of warmth and relief washed over Seb’s body, quickly followed by exhaustion.
“Hey there,” Declan said, stepping forward and placing a hand on Seb’s arm. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Just tired.”
“You want to lie down?”
Seb nodded. “Maybe I should.”
“Let’s get you up to your room,” Declan said. “You’ve been through a lot. The adrenaline spikes alone would be enough leave you feeling exhausted.”
“Yeah,” Seb answered, rubbing the back of his head as he walked up toward his room. “That makes sense. Thanks.”
In the bedroom, Declan headed straight over to the windows, glancing outside before pulling his radio out and checking in with all three security guards. Seb smiled as he leaned against the doorframe, his head swimming with exhaustion—but something else, too. Something comfortable and reassuring.
“You need anything?” Declan asked. “Can I get you a water? Or one of those bottles you drink at night?”
Seb was surprised he’d noticed the flavored fizzy waters. “No, that’s fine. I can get myself a water—”
“Let me,” he said gruffly, then left the room.
Seb unbuttoned his shirt and sat at the edge of the bed. Waiting for Declan felt like a whole new tension, like a new kind of need had grabbed him by the ribs.
Declan returned with a water, then stood at the foot of the bed, one hand on the post. “I’ve been around a lot of stuff like this break-in,” he said. “The first time, it took me days to recover. I know your father acted like it was all business, but really, there’s nothing wrong with feeling scared and needing a little time to recover from something like that. Fuck, the problem would be if you weren’t shaken. Then I’d be worried about you.”
