“Do you feel that?” he whispered. “No matter how mad I get
—no matter what I might say or do, my heart still beats for you. It will always beat for you, Taylor. Never doubt that.”
The gratitude in her eyes was humbling and
, at the moment, it was far more than he deserved.
“I’m so sorry
, Sebastian. I didn’t mean to cause you any trouble.”
Placing his hand over hers, he held it. “I know, and we are going to get through this—together. I’m not giving up on you, Taylor. I will
always do everything in my power to protect you and keep you safe, even if that means from your family. You can build a life with me. I will be your family now, and I will give you what you need.”
“
But…I love them,” she whispered.
Her words were li
ke a stinging slap to the face. Stiffening slightly, he forced a nod. “I know, Taylor, but they don’t love you.” She flinched as if struck and opened her mouth to speak, but he shook his head. “No. That may hurt, but you are too close to the situation to see it. You don’t force people you care about into those types of situations. You could have lost everything. You could have gone to prison because of them. That isn’t love. It’s selfishness and deception, and I won’t stand for it.”
“They didn’t mean--”
Sebastian tamped down a growl. She still wasn’t listening. Tightening his hold on her hand, he cut her off. “They didn’t mean to what, Taylor? Lie to you? Use you? No,” he said. “You and your family are done. Cross me and you will regret it. I suggest you wise up and accept what I’m offering.”
“I didn’t mean it like that!”
His eyes snapped into darkening slits. Rage threatened to bubble forth. “Lose the tone and explain,” he growled, “and do so quickly. Whatever patience I had with this situation is gone.”
Taylor swallowed. He was glad to see his words hit home before he had to use something else to make the point. She hung her head, the
telltale glint of tears welling again. “I just—I don’t want you to hate them. They are a part of me, Sebastian, and they are all I’ve ever known. Besides you, they are all I have left.”
“It’s too late for that,” he s
napped. “And this wedge, the issues they are causing between us, is not helping their cause. I am done, Taylor, and so is this discussion. Get dressed.” He stood and strode toward the door.
“Sebastian…”
Spinning on his heel, he confronted her with a cold stare. “Think
very
hard before you speak,” he interrupted. “In all of this, I’ve heard nothing about what I offered. I’m not sure what that says about your feelings for me, but I only have your best intentions at heart. There is nothing left to discuss,” he said, his voice softening. “But you need to decide. Are you going to continue to be used and lied to, or are we going to start our own family?”
Taylor’s face crum
pled. Bracing himself, he lifted his chin as she stood and crossed the room. She wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face against the side of his neck. His eyes closed as her lips pressed against his skin.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” she whispered. “
You’ve already given me everything, and you just keep giving me more. You’ve shown me glimpses of the life I’ve always wished I’d known. I want that so bad, and I want it with you.”
Her words were like a soothing balm. Nodding, he threaded his fingers through her s
able locks. He tugged them, pulling her face back to meet his. “Then let me give it to you, Taylor. Let me be the one to make you happy. I will give you everything.”
“Everything?”
she asked, lifting a brow.
A low groan rumbled in his throat as she ran her hands up his chest and pressed against him in eager supplication. Her hips rolled across his. Using his hold on her hair, Sebastian wrenched her head back to kiss the underside of her chin.
“Anything,” he promised.
VIII.
Taylor threw her hands into the air, leaping out of the way, as the boys barreled through the house at top speed. Mia trailed behind them, her chubby legs pumping in a furious bid to keep up with her cousin. The house had been a whirlwind of excitement and activity ever since they’d arrived, but there was a sense of comfort in the chaos. She didn’t know if it was the holidays or the past two weeks in general, but she’d never felt happier or more at peace with her life. Between long, romantic candlelight dinners, cuddling on the couch, and baking mass amounts of cookies together, she’d fallen even more in love with Sebastian. Promises of forever fell from his lips every time they touched. There was a complete and utter sense of love, an adoration that shone in his eyes that assured they were not just empty words, but truth. For the first time in a long time—maybe forever—she was home, truly home.
The soft glow of Christmas lights
branched through the house, adding extra ambiance to the cheer. A loud squeal erupted near the foyer, and Monique shook her head, still chopping onions on the island counter beside her.
“I swear that child has the most powerful set of lungs I’ve ever heard,” she mused with a laugh. “And she saves it all for here.”
“Should we ask her to quiet down?”
The blonde smiled with another shake of her head. “No. If Sebastian minds, he will say something. Otherwise, it’s best to let them go and have fun.
He likes it when the kids enjoy themselves here.”
“I do, too,” Taylor admitted with a shy grin. She glanced up from the spicy batter she’d been dipping the onion
petals in as Monique turned to face her. Hesitancy stamped the other woman’s beautiful features for a moment before giving way to affection.
“I’m really glad you’re here. I probably shouldn’t say this,” she said, her green eyes darting around in a quick search, “but I’ve n
ever seen my brother so happy or relaxed. He’s probably smiled more these past couple of weeks than he has in his entire life, and I mean that. It’s almost like he’s a completely different man.”
Taylor mulled those statements over, unsure how to react. Part of her was thrilled to
know she gave Sebastian so much happiness—the other saddened as she wondered what he had been like before. She jumped at the sudden and unexpected brush of warm lips across her nape.
“It’s all true,” a husky voice murmured against her ear.
Monique paled as Sebastian leaned between them, stretching to pluck a cooling buckeye from the wax paper. The blonde relaxed at his affectionate wink. Popping the chocolate and peanut butter confection in his mouth, he let his eyes drift shut in a brief bid of pleasure before checking his watch.
“I gotta go,” he mumbled around a mouthful. “You two stay out of trouble
while I’m gone.”
“Yes, Sebastian.” Taylor giggled, reaching up to wipe a smear of chocolate from the corner of his lip. His eyes s
himmered as she popped her finger in her mouth and peered up at him from beneath the dark sweep of her lashes.
“You keep that up and we are going to disappear for a while,” he warned.
“Oh dear God,” Monique muttered with a rueful snort.
Taylor looked at her and fought another giggle.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing,” she said, turning her attention back to Sebastian with a pout.
“Oh no, darling. Not for me it isn’t.” His pale gaze sparkled with sincerity. “But you would be quite disappointed tomorrow morning when you found out what your surprise was going to be.”
“Yeah and if we don’t get going, that is never going to happen.” Josh chuckled from the archway. “Come on, Baas,” he said as if trying to coax a child away from a much-wanted toy at the store. “You can play with her later.”
Taylor colored as her lover snared her hips, giving her backside a suggestive bump and grind. Cupping her chin, he turned her face and stole a lingering kiss.
“I’ll see you later, baby.”
Monique waited until the side door had shut before giving her a pointed look. “Like I said,” she stated with a bemused grin. “A completely different man.”
Setting the last of the onion petals aside, Taylor washed her hands and started wrapping bacon slices around the semi-thawed tater tots. She’d never heard of it before, but Josh had assured her they were quite good, and Monique claimed the appetizers were one of the kids’ favorites.
“So what exactly does that mean?” she asked. “What was he like before that’s so different?”
The blonde rinsed her hands and moved to check the prime rib simmering in the lower oven.
“My brother was never what anyone could consider a playful man,” she said, turning to face her. “But when he
came back from Iraq, he was different. I know war has a way of changing people, but there’s more to it. It’s been a steady progression from there,” she said wiping down the counters. “When he started this job, he became colder, harder, and even more distant. It’s like whatever pieces of him were left just snapped and died. He’s never connected with anyone like you. Don’t get me wrong, he’s been with other women before, but it was never like this.”
“What happened to them?”
Monique gave a begrudging snort. “It was never a good fit. His longest relationship was just over a year when he first started his career. I honestly think the only reason Sebastian kept the twit around was because she was a warm body and something to come home to at night. At the time, he was putting in upwards of eighteen hours a day trying to work his way through the ranks. Sometimes he’d be gone for weeks at a time. She threw a fit about his hours and left—and he seemed content enough to see her go. That’s what I mean though,” she said with a self-deprecating shrug. “He’s never been like this with anyone. You make him smile and laugh. He’s happy, really happy, and that’s something none of us have seen in him for a long time. People can say what they want about my brother, but he is still capable of feeling and he really does love you, Tay.”
Pressing her lips together, Taylor nodded. She wanted to ask what his sister had meant by that last comment, but she decided against it. She’d pried enough for one day. The kids rounded through the house again, screaming as they blasted off Nerf guns. Orange foam bullet
s sailed through the great room and over the banister overhead. It was just another subtle reminder that today was a day for enjoyment. The past didn’t matter, only the here and now. Smiling, she peered up at the other woman through the dark shock of hair that had fallen over her eyes.
“I really love him, too.”
A few hours later, she’d showered and changed into a flirty red silk dress with silver straps. Rather than go for the traditional upsweep, she pulled her hair into a loose side braid, keeping her wispy jawbone length bangs free. A fuzzy Santa hat and red ballerina type heels completed the playful ensemble. The look on Sebastian’s face when she descended the steps said it all. Unabashed desire darkened his gaze and he gave a slow shake of his head as he reached out a hand to help her down the last few stairs.
“I’m starting to think that outfit was a mistake,” he murmured, kissing her ear. She giggled as he groped her ass and hauled her against his side.
“Ohh,” she teased, giving him a mock pout. “Is someone going to be uncomfortable during dinner?”
“That’s a
strong possibility,” he growled, tugging her lobe between his teeth. “But you will make that up to me later.” She shivered at the husky promise in his voice and the warm pulse of breath in her ear. “I’m more worried about the temptation you’re going to pose to others.”
“You picked this getup out, Mr.
Baas.”
“A momentary lapse in judgment,” he murm
ured, giving her a slight spin.
Taylor bit back a giggle. “No worries there. I am yours and yours alone.”
“That you are.”
She melded against him as he cradled her face in his hands and
branded her with a long, smoldering kiss. Her insides flooded with molten heat. Moaning into his mouth, she squirmed, seeking a way to press against his body. Sebastian pulled back with a low chuckle. His sage eyes bore into hers as she struggled to catch her breath.
“You’re such a shameless little minx,” he chided, brushing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “
I promise we will continue this later—and when we do, I have no intentions of stopping until I have had my complete and utter fill of you and that delectable little body.” Leaning closer, he whispered against her ear. “If I were you, I’d plan on it being a very long night.”
Her knees threatened to buckle. Snagging the swell of her lower lip between her teeth, Taylor
stifled a whimper. Moisture pooled against the thin scrap of lace between her legs. The confident gleam in his eyes assured her Sebastian knew just how much she was suffering. He knew and he was enjoying every minute. Straightening, he took a step back as the kids ran through the room. The boys had changed into respectable suits and Mia looked adorable in a red velvet dress with frilly lace ruffles. Her thick curls bounced as she thundered past, despite the ribbons meant to hold them in place. Sebastian smiled after them. The joy on his face faltered as a shrill voice exploded in the kitchen, berating the children for their play. His jaw tightened, chasing away whatever traces of happiness remained.