Page 45 of Mercilessly Bred


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Sebastian hesitated, and I could almost see the wheels turning in his mind as he tried to decide if he was going to push for me to sleep or feed me. The last time I ate was this morning before I fell in the pond and the alarm on his nightstand read 10 PM in big blue digits. No surprise that my stomach was grumbling.

“Fine,” he finally said, and walked across his room to a large wooden dresser. He pulled out a pair of thick socks and a large sweater. “We’ll go to the kitchen.”

I was taken aback by two things—the fact that he had decided to accompany me and how he had dressed me. Despite my uncertainty, I couldn’t help but feel touched by his tender gestures. Although I wasn’t sure how long it would last, I resolved to savor the moment for as long as it did. Part of me expected the kindness to come to an abrupt end, as he had made it clear that I was not wanted there.

Once I was dressed, Sebastian swept me off my feet, cradling me in his arms. My body felt drained and I couldn't even think of protesting. I clung to his neck as he navigated us through the dark castle; the walls illuminated only by the faint moonlight. He placed me gently on a stool at the kitchen island and took a step back.

“What do you want to eat?”

I hesitated. “I guess I want something that won’t hurt my throat.”

Sebastian gave me a comforting smile, his eyes crinkling with kindness. I followed his movements as he navigated around the kitchen, opening and closing drawers until he found a sharp knife for the pile of vegetables sitting idle below my eyes. It was the first time I’d seen him do anything in the kitchen other than grab a protein shake or sit down to eat.

Sebastian deftly retrieved a container of liquid from the fridge and a pot from the hooks above the kitchen island. Turning on the gas stove, he poured the broth-like substance into the pot and tinkered with something on the counter, his back facing me. Soon, he placed the mysterious item in the oven, his movements oozing with confidence and finesse. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, entranced by his cooking prowess. The tantalizing aroma of chicken soup and freshly baked garlic bread filled the kitchen, the latter most likely homemade by the chef on staff.

My stomach was growling like a beast.

Even more enthralling for me was Sebastian. He was chopping vegetables and adding them to the soup, and I stared at his chest, wondering if he ever got cold walking around shirtless like that. Butterflies swarmed in my stomach at the sight of him. Leaving everything to cook, he grabbed a bottle of water and came to sit next to me.

“Why didn’t you wake up a staff member to make your food?” I asked curiously.

“Don’t you mean your food?” he asked, followed by a small chuckle.

A beat of silence passed before I voiced out loud the question I was trying not to ask.

“Why are you being so nice now? Is it just my near drowning weighing on your conscience?”

Sebastian drank his water as I spoke, and he paused to swallow it before answering. His eyes met mine, and he cupped my cheek before leaning in close to whisper in my ear.

“No, but your pregnancy is.”

He nipped at my earlobe before walking back over to the stove to check the soup.

Shock flickered through me. I looked down at my flat belly, overwhelmed with nervousness. I knew this was the goal, but it was abstract before now.

It was actually happening, which felt huge, but my tired brain couldn’t dwell on it now. There was plenty of time to think about the next nine months. For now, I refocused on Sebastian as he came over to sit beside me with a steaming bowl of soup and fresh garlic bread. He dipped a spoon into the bowl and blew on the soup before lifting it to my lips. His movements were slow and deliberate, and somehow, a complete turn-on. It was silly, because feeding me soup wasn’t a remotely sexual thing to do, but everything Sebastian did had an erotic edge to it.

I savored the soup, its rich flavor and warmth easing my aching throat. Sebastian sat silently beside me, not taking a single spoonful for himself. It was as if his sole purpose was to ensure my comfort, and the thought sent shivers down my spine.

Despite the sensual atmosphere, I knew I had to break the silence and address the issue that had been weighing on me. I needed reassurance that Sebastian would hold up his end of the deal.

“So… if I’m pregnant, does that mean I’ll be getting paid?”

Sebastian nodded. “Yes, Belle. You’ll get your money.”

Before I could respond, he captured my mouth with a hungry kiss.

Chapter25

Sebastian

One Month and a Few Weeks Later

Ispent over a month ignoring Belle. Well,tryingto.

Despite my thoughts of embracing warmth and happiness in the hours after her accident, I went back to fighting my growing feelings. But the problem was that theyweregrowing stronger every day, and trying to ignore them was a losing battle.

Even burying myself in my work didn’t help distract my mind from thoughts of her. Hell, I couldn’t even sleep unless I laid eyes on her before I went to bed. Night after night I snuck into her wing of the castle late enough that I could be sure she was asleep, the darkness of the night cloaking me in its embrace.

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