“Why knock if you were just going to let yourself in?” I grunted, fixing my hair.
“Because this is my room, too,” Sebastian replied, his eyes still narrowed on Sawyer.
“Not anymore, it’s not.” I moved to my wardrobe, where I had tucked his dagger away for safekeeping, knowing he’d be back for it eventually.
“Here.” I tried to hand him the sheathed blade, but he didn't move, he just kept his glare on the now vacant armchair.
“Anything else you need?” I forced the weapon into his palm.
“Yeah. Actually.” At last his eyes dipped to me and his voice deepened. “I want to talk to you.”
“Now?” I was already caught up in my feelings, and if I was alone with Sebastian, I might just give in to the desire that would fight to overcome any sense left in me.
“Yes.Now,” he growled, eyeballing the man behind me once more.
Sawyer pursed his lips then started for the door. “Guess I’ll leave you guys to it. Don’t forget to use protection.”
The words were clearly meant as a joke, although his tone didn'tsoundoverly playful.
At Sawyer's departure, my eyes instantly caught on the mounds of muscle that were Sebastian's biceps. They roamed to his perfectly sharp jawline, then caught on his hair, which curled around the base of his ears, the length being my favorite on him. My fingers loved intertwining in it when he ate my?—
Get a grip, Maeve.
“Let’s talk outside,” I abruptly suggested, knowing I wouldn’t be able to focus on having an actual conversation if we were alone in this room.
Sebastian stepped forward, his shirt rippling with the honed flex of his abdomen. “Why? Worried you might cave and forgive me?” he said cockily under his breath.
I didn’t even try to lie.
“Yes.”
Actually, I was worried I’d domorethan just forgive him—like drop to my knees and take his pants down with me.
It didn’t matter how hurt I was, Sebastian was downright fucking hot. Especially when he?—
Fuck.
“Let’s go.” Turning my back, I marched out the door, down four flights of stairs, and into the courtyard that was home to a few golden benches. I chose one for us to sit on, then let him do the talking.
“This has gotten out of hand. This thing, between you and me.”
“Oh, you mean how you lied to me?”
He hung his head, subtly shaking it. “I didn’t— You know what? Fine, we can call it lying. It was fucked up, I get that, and I’m so incredibly sorry. If I could go back to last summer and start all over with you, I would in a heartbeat.” He paused, taking a calming breath. “I’m worried about you. About your magic and your arm. You’ve been through so much the past few weeks, and you seem to have a death wish. I mean, fuck, if someone is offering to fight your battles for you, let them.”
“Why? Because I’m ananxious mess?”
Sebastian expelled all of the air from his lungs with one harsh sigh. “I should have never said that. I was pissed that you didn't tell me about your wielding and hurt that you said you weren’t…my girlanymore.” His throat bobbed as he gulped. “But that’s no excuse, and I’m sorry.”
I shuffled in my seat, and for the first time since we arrived here, found myself also feeling apologetic. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn't have said all of that in front of Sawyer and Kade. That should have been a private conversation. And I’m sorry I called you an overprotective ass. And an asshole. And a grumpy asshole. And unbearable. And?—”
Sebastian chuckled, shaking out his shaggy hair. “I get the idea. Thanks.” His palm found my thigh. The touch was gentle, but enough to send shivers scattering up my skin.
“Are you cold?” he asked, noticing the goosebumps developing on my flesh.
“Something like that,” I exhaled, moving my hazel eyes to meet his ocean ones.
“Maeve…” His normally rough voice was airy in the way that used to make me weak at the knees.
