“Sweetheart,” Serena pleaded, rising from the couch and walking toward them. “This is the safest place for you.”
“But it’s not the safest place for you, our family, or the staff. All of you could be in danger if I stay here. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me.”
“The mountain villa is not an option. It’s too secluded up there and would take weeks to get it outfitted with proper security measures,” Serena said. “There’s no other place for you to go.”
“Yes, there is,” Gabrielle said, looking up at him with hope. “I’m going to move in with Sebastian.”
Chapter18
“This is a bad idea.” The scowl on Sebastian’s face conveyed more than his words. He wasn’t happy about her unilateral decision-making, but Gabrielle was convinced this was the right move. Harsh, searing sunrays blazed against her skin as she walked past him to the trail that led to an old abandoned sugar mill next to the main house on King Estate. Rising like a cobblestone cone toward the sky, the deserted mill released a flood of memories within her. Overcome by the past, she remembered sneaking to the sugar mill as a teenager to bemoan her wretched life. Back then, she didn’t know how bad it would get. She had no way of knowing she’d eventually rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
Heavy footsteps pounded the gravel path as Sebastian followed her. Passing under the arched entryway, she welcomed the cool respite of the structure that blocked the sun.
“Gabrielle,” Sebastian said, his voice strained with anger. “There’s no fucking way you’re moving in with me.”
“Why not? It’s the perfect solution.” Gabrielle turned to face him. Her breath caught in her throat at his stony expression. The clenched jaws and intensity of his dark brown eyes. His biceps flexed as he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his pants. She allowed herself a long moment to linger over the sight of him in all his magnificent glory. How had he transformed from the boy she knew to … this?
“You don’t know where I live. It’s a far cry from what you’re used to.” Sebastian ran a hand through his dark locks.
“As long as you’re there, I’ll be fine. I will cover the cost of whatever security updates you want to make to your property. And I promise not to laugh when you practice your breakdancing moves. You do still breakdance, right?”
Confusion graced his handsome face. “Yeah, I breakdance but at the community center. But that’s irrelevant. I don’t need your money. I have more than enough security at my place to ensure you’re safe.”
“Another reason for me to move in with you,”
“No, it’s not!” Sebastian threw his hands in the air. “After everything that happened last night, the best place for you is surrounded by family who loves you. I get that you’re worried. Serena has already arranged a chartered flight to bring in the rest of the security equipment. We can have it up and running by nightfall. Everyone at King Estate will be protected.”
“That’s not good enough. If I’m in that house and Quattro has some other demented plans for me, no security system is going to stop them. I don’t want my family to be collateral damage in Damian’s sick obsession with me,” Gabrielle insisted. She moved closer to him, hoping he would stop fighting her. “This place was already swarming with security guards last night. That didn’t stop Quattro from leaving that bloody message. I have to put distance between me and everyone living at King Estate, but I can’t do that alone. I need you.”
Sebastian’s resolve crumbled before her eyes. His features softened as he inhaled a deep breath.
Gabrielle closed the distance between them to mere inches. The sensual scent of his cologne wafted in the air, intoxicating her. “You are a highly trained special operative. Who better to keep me safe until the cops can figure out who threatened me? I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt. I know you’ll do your best to protect me. I trust you, Sebastian.”
She grabbed Sebastian’s hands in hers, pulling him closer. He resisted and took a step back, but she held on tighter. He was her only hope. His gaze locked onto her face, then trailed slowly down her body sending warmth flooding her.
She understood his reservations. The memories of their closeness before stumbling upon the bloody scene inside the beach cottage weren’t far from her mind. The magnetic force of desire pulled them closer and closer to an inevitable connection. Fighting it was pointless, whether he agreed to help her or not. She wouldn’t lie to herself. Her decision to stay with Sebastian wasn’t made as much with her head as with her heart and her raging libido. The man had her entire senses ablaze with passion as she tried to keep her anxiety about this new threat at bay.
Sebastian erased the remaining distance between them, pressing his body against hers. She registered every ounce of his overpowering masculinity. The rock-hard chest, defined six-pack, solid thighs, and not to mention the distinct part of him twitching to life against her abdomen. His hands slid down her back, clutching her to him as if he owned every aspect of her—the physical, emotional, and spiritual.
She held her breath.
“Gabrielle,” his voice was low and husky against the top of her head. “If you come to live with me, I can’t promise that I can keep this … professional. You need to know I’m walking a tightrope and could fall off any minute. So, do not fucking push me.”
She swallowed hard at his raw and unbridled honesty. Reveled in his acknowledgment that the feelings between them were mutual. She wouldn’t make him a promise she couldn’t keep. She was on edge with him. Playing with fire. She hoped they survived being burned.
“Understood.” Gabrielle forced herself to step away and inhaled a deep breath of soothing ocean air.
Sebastian closed his eyes for a long moment. When he opened them, she noticed the shift in his demeanor. He’d morphed into the bodyguard who’d shown up on the private jet after she’d landed in St. Killian. The one who was all business.
A distance permeated between them that was disappointing but necessary.
“If this is going to work, we’ll need clear ground rules,” Sebastian said.
She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that, but she kept quiet and let him continue.
“These rules are non-negotiable.”
“Okay. I can do rules.” Gabrielle saluted him and gave him her best smile. She delighted in his reaction. A complete and utter dismantling of his seriousness. He shook his head at her and gave her the sexiest grin.
