“Yes, this settles it. I’ll bring Lizzy home.”
Chapter 14
Sebastian
Her surprise at me knowing her name is incomparable to my shock at her knowing who I am. Knowing that I’m her neighbor. Knowing about our runs.
I thought I did an impeccable job staying invisible to her. That she was oblivious to my existence. How wrong I was. And how fortunate I am in this moment for being wrong.
Because her knowledge of me has her seeking protection inme. I know her arms clutching me is out of fear from Chris, not attraction to me. But it doesn’t matter. She’s choosing to touch me. She knows I’m safe.
It’s more than I could dream of.
But now I need to get this bastard away from my girl. Because as much as I love her touch, if it’s brought on by fear, then it’s not freely given. It’s not truly mine. And I won’t stand for anyone eliciting fear in my angel.
Given how short she is, she’s oblivious to the threatening look I shootChris Davis. Better men have shrunk under its intensity, but this drunk fool doesn’t seem to sense my danger.
“If anyone is taking–”
“Enough,Chris.” I emphasize his name, which hasn’t been given to me. His eyes widen, and he steps back. “Go back to the bar and sober up. Or to your little red truck. I don’t care either way. Just get away from Lizzy.”
“How do you–” he starts, but I’m already turning Lizzy and myself around.
She curls into me, balancing herself with my arms. The slight sway as she walks encourages me to tighten my grip on her. To support her. I try not to get any pleasure from her presence, from her awareness of me, but it’s like ignoring the sun. Impossible.
“It’s this one,” I tell her as I lead us to my passenger door. My silver Audi isn’t flashy like Matthias’s cars, but she still stares at it as if it were a golden chariot.
“Thank you,” she murmurs with a smile as I open the door for her. She slides inside, and I can’t help but notice how right she looks in my car. It’s like she belongs here. In my car. In my life.
I rush around the car and situate myself in the front seat quickly, not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind. I’m about to turn the ignition on when her smell hits me. I know the lavender scent well, having smelled her body wash countless times. But I’ve never been afforded the luxury of smelling it on her.
Inhaling deeply, I savor every hint of her, breathing her into my lungs. The clicking of her seatbelt shakes me from my stupor. Recovering quickly, I press the ignition button and let the car roar to life.
Gliding onto the interstate, I attempt to keep my eyes on the road… but fail. My tantalizing angel beckons me with each inhale. The soft sounds cause my heart to accelerate in tune with her.
“Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.” She sighs and fiddles with her nails.
“Of course.” The curt reply is all I manage to push out. Still unused to her presence, her attention.
“This is what I get for putting myself out there.” She drops her hands and turns to face me. “Don’t laugh, but I even bought this dress for tonight. And got on bi–” She trails off with flushed cheeks, clearly embarrassed at what she almost confessed.
Birth control. She got onbirth control.That’s what she was going to say. I have to take a few deep breaths to calm down. The one thing she doesn’t need is an upset man next to her. She should always be comfortable in my presence.
“You look breathtaking in that dress. The green makes you glow. Somehow, it even makes your bangs stand out.” When she doesn’t respond immediately, I begin to get flustered. If I made her uncomfortable with my compliments, I’ll have to punish myself, because no one is allowed to make her feel uneasy. Not even me.
“Oh, thank you…” She trails off then looks up apologetically. “I don’t know your name.” She winces as she says it, clearly feeling guilty.
“It’s Bash. Well, Sebastian, but everyone calls me Bash.” For the first time in my life, I question my nickname. Does it sound childish? Or eccentric?
“Hi, Bash. I’m Lizzy. It’s nice to finally meet you.” She extends an arm across the console. When my palm meets hers, electric shocks fly through me. I can’t hold back the shudder that overtakes me, nor the way it wakes my cock.
This is the moment I’ve dreamt of for six years. The moment I could never allow myself to hope would transpire. I revel in every second, every word, every touch.
“Lizzy, meeting you has been the highlight of my day.” I hold my breath after the accidental confession. But when she giggles and blushes, I empty my lungs.
“That should be my line. You really saved me back there. I can’t thank you enough.” The gratitude in her tone only validates my actions. Ihadto step in. I had no choice.
“It was really no problem. He was a miscreant, not taking no for an answer. It’s irredeemable. Prison isn’t good enough for those reprobates,” I snarl.
