“And then?”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “He jumped up here.”
Mr. Pickles flicks his tail like he’s proud of himself.
I laugh, shaking my head. “I can’t believe this.”
Sebastian leans in, pressing a slow, gentle kiss to my mouth—nothing rushed, nothing demanding. Just warm and certain.
I melt into him, relishing the victory of getting what I want most—him. Mr. Stoic not only opened his home and bedroom to me but also seems to be opening his heart. Not fully. I know there are still chains around it. But some have dropped while the others have loosened.
My stomach growls loudly, interrupting our moment.
He pulls back, lips curling into a smile.
I wince. “Sorry.”
He smiles. “Let’s eat.”
A few minutes later,we step into the kitchen together, hand in hand.
Drew is already there, standing at the counter with amug of coffee. He takes a sip, freezes, then spits it back into his cup as he starts choking.
“What—” he coughs, wiping his mouth. “What ishappening?”
Sebastian doesn’t even flinch. He just tightens his grip on my hand slightly.
“Morning,” I say brightly. “How are you?”
Drew stares at us. Then at our joined hands. Then at Sebastian. “You’re dating your stalker?” He shakes his head. “You really have gone mental.”
Sebastian scowls at him. “Knock it off before I make you homeless.”
Drew glances over at me. “Sorry, Ivy.”
I grin at him. “No offense taken. That’s the average reaction.”
He seems relieved... until his eyes flick to the black cat trotting in behind us like he owns the place. Every muscle in Drew’s body tenses. He stares at Mr. Pickles like he’s a wild, rabid animal. “Oh no,” he says faintly.
Mr. Pickles hops onto a kitchen chair and curls up, tail wrapped neatly around his paws.
Drew sets the mug down with a shaking hand, then points. “There’s a cat.”
“Yes,” Sebastian says. “I’m aware.”
“In the house.”
“Uh-huh.”
“And you’re holding hands.”
“Yes.”
Drew looks at me. “Did you know about this?”
I grin. “About the hands or the cat?”
He closes his eyes. “I need stronger coffee.” He opens one, then the other. “Nope. I’m not dreaming.”
