Present
“Nyx?” I called as I entered the house.
I’d told Aria I had to go to work today even though it was a Saturday. I didn’t. I needed to sort out arrangements with the Organisation for Luca’s shipment.
I walked through the house, and she was pouring a glass of wine in the kitchen. Leaning against the door-frame, I watched her for a beat. She must have had her AirPods in as she was singing away and dancing. She was truly something else.
I was the luckiest man alive.
She startled as she turned and saw me. “Jesus, you scared the life out of me.” She placed one hand on her heart and pulled the AirPods out with the other.
“Jesus is a bit formal. Sebastian is fine,” I teased, walking over to her.
“Ha, funny.” She swatted my chest.
“I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“I got you these.” I pulled the grey roses out from behind my back.
It was guilt from lying about where I was. She wouldn’t forgive me for lying to her again. I knew her. We’d promised to be honest with each other, no matter how hard it was, because last time … she’d ended up in a situation she should never have been placed in.
This was different, though. This was about protecting her. I was lying to her to keep her safe from anything that could hurt her, and it would break her if she knew I’d gone back to save her.
“You don’t have to keep buying me roses.”
“Nyx, I’d buy you the moon if I could.”
“Just the moon,” she teased.
I rested my fingers on her chin and gazed into her eyes. “Anything.” Then I kissed her.
“Did you get everything done at the office?”
“Yeah, all sorted.”
“Good. I missed spending time with you today. No more weekend work?”
I scrubbed a hand over my stubble, taking the roses from her and placing them on the side. That was one promise I couldn’t make.
Lifting her by the waist, I sat her on the countertop, and her legs opened for me.
“Forget about work. What did you get up to today?”
“I went shopping in Oxford Street.”
“Get anything nice?” I stroked her hair behind her ear.
“Yes, but I can’t show you until we’re in the bedroom.” Her eyes darkened.
“Guess where we’re going right now, then.”
I grabbed her by the waist, and she straddled me, letting out a giggle.
“Sebastian, stop! I need to tell you something first.”
“It can wait.” I started kissing her neck.
