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Sebastian looks at me, his expression full of broken remorse. “I failed her,” he says, his voice cracking at the memory. “It took two years until I inherited the trust, and I could get her out of there. Two years, she spent in that place. In hell. And after, trying to get her to heal from what they put her through…”
I squeeze his hand instinctively. “But you did it,” I tell him, my heart in my throat. “You got her out. She seems happy now.”
He nods slowly, but the ache in his eyes doesn’t go away. “I was willing to do anything. I found her the best therapists, the right medication. The horses were the big breakthrough, equine therapy. It sounded like hippie nonsense to me,” he adds with a wry look, “but whatever the fuck it took. And I finally had the resources to make it happen. Richard threw a fit, but he couldn’t do anything. I had the company. Wolfe Capital. I finally could call the shots. You see, money… It buys you everything. Even protection from the shadows hiding under the bed.”
“So the cameras, the security at the house… It’s for Scarlett’s sake, too,” I say, realizing.
He nods. “She’s come a long way, but a part of her is still terrified that Larkspur will come and drag her back to that place again. I’ve told her she can come and live with me,” he adds, “But she wants to try and be independent. It means a lot to her, to be able to live on her own terms now.”
“And you made that happen,” I say, moved, despite everything. I never thought Sebastian was capable of real love, but his devotion to his sister is plain to see. “You take care of her.”
“Not enough.” He shakes his head, that dark expression in his eyes again. “Not nearly enough to make up for any of it.”
I wonder what he means by that, but before I can say anything, Sebastian pulls his hand away from mine. “There,” he says, looking closed off again, “You wanted to know me, well, there it is. Enough for you yet?”
“No.”
My answer slips from my lips before I can stop it. “No, not enough,” I say, and before I can stop myself, I’m reaching up and pulling his face down to mine.
I kiss him.
It’s the first time, I realize, when our lips meet in a rush of slow, tender heat. The first time I’ve been the one reaching for him, pursuing him, instead of receiving his passion. Now, I press my lips to his, searching, my hands moving to tangle his hair as his mouth parts, and my tongue slides against his.
Sebastian sounds a low groan. His hands close around my waist, pulling me into his lap as our tongues tangle in a sensual dance.
God yes...It’s wrong, every rational part of me is screaming at this betrayal, but fuck, it feels too good in his arms. I’m acting on pure instinct now, I couldn’t stop it if I tried. I arch up against him, eagerly exploring his mouth, my body already aching to draw him closer and anchor myself to him.
Where I belong.
The unwanted thought shocks me out of the moment, and I start to pull away, but Sebastian is gripping me tightly now, deepening the kiss, something animal and desperate in his movements. It’s overwhelming, intense, and I feel myself slip into the undertow, desire snaking through me, binding me to him.
I’m gasping when he finally breaks the kiss. Sebastian looks down at me, and the raw heat in his eyes takes my breath away.
“I’m done waiting,” he says, voice thick with lust. “It’s time for your final lesson, Sparrow. I’m taking what’s mine.”
21
AVERY
This is it…
I follow Sebastian upstairs, my heart pounding in my chest. I always imagined my first time would be with Miles. That it would be something tender and sweet, full of real emotion. It would matter because we were meant to be together.
Instead, I’m trading my innocence for revenge.
But I want it, too.
I can’t deny it, not when anticipation is already curling in my veins. Not when I’m wet for him, thighs clenching with every step, aching to feel him inside me.
I can’t explain it, the physical hold he has over me. This toxic chemistry that draws me closer, even as my mind—and heart—scream at me to stay away. It doesn’t make any sense, but my body has been primed for this since the very first time he kissed me. The way my body has come alive under his expert hands and wicked tongue…
I’m not so naïve that I can’t see that he planned it this way: Drawing me in, tempting me with pleasure, guiding me lesson by sinful lesson to this very moment as I follow him up the stairs and down the hall to his bedroom.
Every sensual touch and thrilling climax has driven me closer and closer to the edge. And now…
Now, despite everything, I find myself longing for the freefall.
Sebastian’s suite is as sparsely decorated as the rest of the house, dominated by a king-sized bed covered with crisp linens. Lamps cast the room in a dim glow.
