Gabrielle took steps toward him, slow and tentative as if he might disappear into thin air if she got too close. Her brain could have conjured him to soothe her anxiety.
Sebastian continued, “I hate that Tony Brooks has made you believe we can’t be together.”
“Not forever, Seby. I know this is temporary. We have to wait until Brad and his team find Tony.”
“You think I’m going to wait weeks while the cops fumble around to find Brooks.” Sebastian shook his head. “That’s not how this is going to play out.”
“What other choice do we have?”
“I told you what I’m going to do.”
“And I asked you not to.” Her heart lurched as she blinked back tears. “I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
“I don’t want you to worry about me.” There was an edge in his tone. Sebastian closed the distance between them, stroking his finger along her face. “If you knew what I’ve done in my past, you wouldn’t be concerned now.”
“That doesn’t make me feel better.” Gabrielle caressed his arms, then said a silent prayer of thanks that he was real.
“Then this should: I won’t do anything that will keep me away from you because I can’t imagine my life without you. I won’t fuck up. I won’t get caught.” Sebastian stepped away from her.
“Why?” Gabrielle swallowed past the lump in her throat. His words mirrored everything she’d written in her journal. The reciprocity of feelings was everything she hoped, but it also flooded her with panic. Could she live up to Sebastian’s expectations of her? Was she worthy of this remarkable man’s devotion? Would it change his feelings if he knew the truth about the things she’d done? Remind him of the spoiled, selfish girl she was and still could be.
With a wry smile, he said, “Because I’m falling in love with you.”
The words were like a bomb detonating, forever changing the landscape of their relationship in an instant.
Gabrielle stared at the floor, stunned and not sure how to respond.
A sickening thought played in her mind that those words could be the last he ever said to her. She didn’t know how long they’d be separated. She couldn’t fathom what he’d do to Tony Brooks if he found the stalker before the cops or what consequences they’d suffer from his rogue actions. All she could do was remember every sweet moment they had together. She would need those memories when she was kicking herself days from now.
When she looked up, Sebastian was gone. She glanced around as he disappeared into her bedroom.
“Seby!” Gabrielle said, not caring if the guards heard her. “Wait!” She raced after him, grabbing his hand before he reached the window that overlooked an alley.
He turned back to her with fiery passion burning in his eyes.
“Don’t go,” Gabrielle pleaded. “Please.”
Sebastian shook his head. “You are my weakness.” He jerked her toward him. “I will always do what you ask, even if it’s not what you need.”
“Trust me. I need you. Just for tonight.” She clung to him.
Sebastian leaned down and brushed his lips against hers. His lips were soft and warm, kissing her gently with a tenderness that melted away her fears and reservations. The intensity of emotion coursing between them radiated in every move of their lips and stroke of their tongues. She was overwhelmed and liberated in the presence of this man who meant everything to her.
She stood still as he undressed her, never breaking the kiss that held her in welcomed captivity. When he closed the distance between them, pressing his body against hers, she was amazed that he’d removed his clothes at the same time. His massive erection throbbed between their warm bodies. Her mind went blank as desire pooled between her legs.
He lifted her as if she weighed nothing, then collapsed backward on the bed, relinquishing all control to her. She pinned him to the bed with her hands, taking a moment to revel in his deliciously decadent muscular body. He didn’t wilt under her stare but relished the attention she gave him. Nervousness raced through her until she remembered his words. He was falling in love with her. How could she feel anything but at ease with this man who’d poured his heart out to her? Emboldened, she leaned down and kissed him with all the passion she had inside, then licked and sucked trails from his lips to his neck and chest.
“Gabs,” Sebastian whispered. “I want you so much. It’s killing me not to be inside of you.”
When he looked at her that way, she had no doubts that he was her future. He knew her in ways she never thought she’d allow a man. He was her safe space, and she was his.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow in anticipation as her knees straddled his thighs. His cock glistened and twitched, waiting for her. She stroked his muscular forearms, gripping him tightly to keep her balance, then lowered onto the tip of his cock. She rocked against him, drenching his shaft in her wetness.
Lust blinded her, driving her movements as she lowered onto his engorged flesh. His thickness stretched her, ravaging her until their bodies molded. Her movements were slow, gauging his reaction until they hit a perfect rhythm. Writhing against him, she moved up and down, a beautiful dance that had both of them panting heavily as they stared into each other’s eyes. His hands pressed into the flesh of her hips, guiding and directing her faster and faster.
Neither of them made a sound to avoid alerting the guards outside. The struggle to hold back her moans as she panted ragged and heavy breaths exponentially increased the intensity of the pleasure blazing between them.
Desire burned within her. She clenched around his rock-hard cock. Every stroke drove her closer and closer to the brink of orgasm. She tried to keep her composure, but she was slowly coming undone by this man who’d infiltrated her heart as only he could.
