Page 93 of Sterling Heat

His sister’s loving approval.

His brother’s constant teasing.

Stumbling, I crash into Sebastian as he tugs me to his side and presses a kiss to my head.

“You’re dancing with my girl,” he teases his brother.

“You got your own girl.” Knox sways his hips and turns only enough to give us his side. Adara rolls her head to keep her eyes focused on the screen. “This girl is going to love Uncle Knox the most. Aren’t you, sweet child?”

“Hey now,” Sebastian calls out, humor in his warning. My little one already has grown men vying for her love.

With me at his side, he turns to face me, lifts my hand, and drapes my other arm over his shoulder. Then he sways, spinning us in a slow circle behind his couch. The Guns N’ Roses anthem isn’t exactly a dance tune, but Sebastian holds me close like it’s a love ballad. We gently rock as the heavy metal plays out.

When the song ends, I smile up at him despite what I suggest. “I should probably go. It’s late and Adara has had a long day out.” The last diaper in her bag is reason enough to leave but I don’t want to go. Still, it’s probably for the best.

“You aren’t running, are you?” Sebastian presses his lips to my head, lingering there with his question.

“Running?” I pull back to meet his eyes.

He watches me, asking a thousand questions while not saying a thing. I’m not a runner. If anything, I want to stay in his arms all night and every night after that, but Sebastian is the one who doesn’t want the same things as me and I’ve learned my lesson. Never push where intentions are clear.

“Uh-oh. Sounds like a diaper bomb just went off and that’s where Uncle Knox clocks out.” He balances Adara before him, bringing her to me and passing her off.

I laugh as I bring her to my chest, needing her to ground myself, remind myself what my goals are in life.

Her. She’s my reason.

“And there goes the last diaper,” I give as further reason to leave. Plus, the clock is ticking closer to her midnight feed. I could use a shower, and I’m suddenly exhausted.

Sebastian watches as I pack up Adara’s things, double checking I have everything. He folds up her portable bassinet and carries it down the staircase. He doesn’t ask me to stay, but he does surprise me when he walks me out to my car and says, “I’ll be right behind you. Just let me get Knox settled.”

You don’t have to do that. The rejection rests on the tip of my tongue, but I bite it hard, knowing I want Sebastian to follow me. I want him in my house where I can post-coital cuddle him.

He kisses me once more, waiting in the parking lot while I drive off. In the quiet of my Honda Passport, I take a moment to process the day, the night, the rooftop. Coming together with Sebastian was intense. Candles. Blankets. Warm summer air. Everything intensified the atmosphere as our bodies joined, broke apart and came together over and over again.

Only once did I see Sebastian falter. Panic filled his eyes. I represent everything he doesn’t want but he’s drawn to me for some reason, just not the same reasons I’m attracted to him.

I see stability in Sebastian that he doesn’t see in himself. I see love, trust, and a partnership.

If only . . .

As I pull into my driveway, I glance at the house and my hands clutch harder on the steering wheel.

A light flashes across the living room window. From the inside.

Rolling to a stop, I haven’t even set my car in park before I press the phone button on the dash. My heart hammers while my blood flow slows. I’m caught between common sense that screams leave, and a faulty belief nothing is wrong. Nothing would happen to me. I’m nobody.

Still, with a shaky finger, I press favorites on the phone tab, and press Sebastian’s number at the top of the list.

“Hey, sugar.” His tone is light, easygoing.

“I think someone’s in my house.”

“What?” His voice instantly tightens. “Where are you?”

“I’m in the driveway and a light flashed across the front window . . . from the inside.”

“Enya, get out of there. Just reverse out of the drive and pull down the road. I’m almost there.” He hangs up but as I click the hang up button, Sebastian pulls into my driveway behind me. He hops out of his truck, not bothering to turn off the engine or shut off the headlights. Racing to the front door, he quickly enters the code and disappears inside.