Well, damn if the man’s refusal didn’t make him the most desirable fuck on the planet.
* * *
The nextmorning Sebastian prepared breakfast and left early for lessons. He kept out of Henri’s way all day. Henri spotted him through the window, walking the wooded trail alone. Fuck. He’d been looking forward to their walk. Oh hell, they needed to clear the air. Again. However, Sebastian only put in a brief appearance at dinner, not allowing enough time for conversation.
Henri hadn’t noticed how much Sebastian’s company meant to him until he lost it. Time to apologize—if he remembered how. He knocked on Seb’s bedroom door.
“What is it?” Seb had never sounded so annoyed before, no matter how badly Henri goaded him.
“I’d like to talk.”
“Go ahead. I’m listening.”
Not good enough. Spilling one’s guts required eye contact. Henri dropped his usual cockiness. “Please open the door, Seb.”
The door slipped open a crack. “What do you want?”
“I’m out of practice with admitting I’m wrong, since I haven’t been allowed to make my own decisions since kindergarten, but I admit that I messed up. You’re not someone to fuck and forget.” He swallowed hard. His admission didn’t wipe away his guilt.
“Go on.”
Oh crap. Full disclosure. He hated full disclosure. “I’m not going to lie and say I don’t find you attractive. I do, even if I don’t understand it. You’re not the kind of man I normally go for.”
Seb’s face darkened. “And what kind do you go for? Thin? Gorgeous? Rich?”
“More like shallow, vain, and clingy. I’m not used to being around men who tell me no.” The tiny space in the door started to close. Henri placed his hand in the way, not forcing the door farther, but not letting it shut. “I’d welcome you into my bed, but realize I value your friendship too much to lose it because I did my thinking with my dick. Can we call a truce?”
Silence. Henri readied himself to snatch his hand back if need be. “A truce? Name your terms.”
“I’ll not try to seduce you if you’ll forget what an ass I made of myself.”
One side of Seb’s mouth quirked up. “You do make an impressive ass. Have you ever considered auditioning forA Midsummer Night’s Dream? It’s a starring role.”
Was that a chuckle? “So I’ve been told. Look, Seb, I like you. And I’m sorry. Can we go back to the way we were?”
The moments ticked away, Henri holding his breath. Hell, if he kept this up, he’d be able to sing three lines without breathing at all.
Sebastian let him off the hook. “I suppose I should be flattered.”
“Not really. Trust me, I’m not that great. Just a drugged-out rocker who put his foot in his mouth.”
The door opened a bit more, revealing Sebastian dressed in a robe, holding a book in his hand. “I’m all for pretending it never happened.”
“Thank you, Seb. Good night.”
The stiff set of Sebastian’s shoulders relaxed. “Good night. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Henri let out his breath once the door closed. He’d fully meant his apology, so Seb should have invited him in. “You’re incorrigible,” he muttered to himself. He hummed all the way back to his room, words forming in his head.
“Incorrigible, there’s no hope for you….”
Lucas had been right about one thing: Henri found plenty of song inspiration while staying with Sebastian.
* * *
“Stretch yourneck.” Seb lifted Henri’s chin with two fingers. “Stretch, stretch. Feel the muscles pulling.”
Henri had to look stupid as all hell.Still, Sebastian spoke to him, actuallytouchedhim. Stupidity well spent.
