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“I need to run out and get my wallet. I’ll be right back.” I tell him as I start toward the front doors.
He moves quickly, grabbing me around the waist and hauling me back against him. The breath gets knocked from my lungs as I smack against his hard frame. The sudden movement has me taking a step to right myself. The feel of my back pressed against his muscular body sends shivers up my spine. Goosebumps erupt over my skin, as he leans over and whispers in my ear. “I’ve got this.” He holds me against his body, his large hand splaying over my midsection, while we’re checking out. He somehow pays with one hand and grabs the bags. “Now be a good girl and get back on the bike,” he murmurs in a low husky voice as he lets me go. I stand on my wobbly legs for a moment as the thought of what he just said washes over me. I think my brain short circuited when he said, “good girl.” No one has ever called me that but fuck why do I want to obey him? Why do I want to hear him say it again? My legs move of their own accord toward Sebastian. He’s packing the bags into his bike and looks over his shoulder at me with a grin on his face. That bastard knows what he does to me. Somehow, somewhere along the way, he got under my skin.
The storm has gotten worse in the little time we were in the store. “Looks like we are in for quite a ride. Don’t let go of me,” he says firmly as he places the helmet back on my head. He takes his time attaching the straps like he wants to make sure everything is secure. “Here take my jacket. You’re shivering.”
“I’m not taking your jacket. You need that.” I shake my head and try to move past him. Again, he stops me.
“You need to stop doing that, Stormy.” His face is stern as he talks. “I said take my jacket. I’ll be fine. You’re the one that isn’t used to this kind of weather,” he reiterates and takes his jacket off and slings it around my shoulders. The heat immediately envelops me, and his cologne permeates my senses. I close my eyes as the leather, sandalwood and vanilla scent invades my mind.
“Thank you,” I mutter. It’s all I can say. Sebastian gets on the bike, and I follow suit, squeezing him tightly. He pulls out of the parking lot and straight into the traffic. It doesn’t take long for us to get to my apartment. He pulls into a vacant spot and shuts off the bike. He slides off the seat. Then without missing a beat he grabs and puts me on the ground. I tug off my helmet while he is doing the same. The rain beats down harder on us as we stand there. I know I have to make a run for it, so I slip out of my heels and hold them along with my purse.
“Thank you for the ride. I -” before I can finish, he cuts in.
“Come on. I have to fix your hand,” he shouts through the sound of thunder overhead. This isn’t the place to argue. I want to get inside, and I guess he shouldn’t be riding in this kind of weather. But I wasn’texpecting him to come up to my apartment. I hold on to my stuff and take off through the parking lot. My feet splash in the puddles as I run. If this wasn’t a bad storm, I would be taking this opportunity to be dancing around in it. I love the rain. I feel like it cleanses my soul.
Sebastian runs up beside me and grabs my hand. He smiles down at me while we are running and lets out a laugh. I want to hold on to this feeling. It’s a freeing feeling.
We finally make it to the lobby of my apartment. I look over to see a very wet, tall, and handsome version of Sebastian. His clothes stick to his skin, outlining the amazing muscles I knew he had. I probably look like a drowned rat compared to him. I’m sure my makeup is running in all directions.
“You really don’t have to help me with my hand. I can handle it.” I look down at where the bandages were. They must have come undone in the rain and my palm is slowly bleeding onto the floor. Some of the stiches popped open and I see how deep the cut really was. My stomach flips at the sight. Seeing all the fresh blood on my hand takes me back to the night Blaine was shot. I begin to tremble when I remember the red sticky mess of my late husband. I try really hard to will my thoughts to absolutely anything else, but I slide to the floor clutching my hand. I’m losing this battle. Panic is taking over. The lobby transforms into the scene from the kitchen that night as a sob escapes my lips. Eyes closed tightly; I squeeze my hand allowing the pain to faintly tether me to the present.
Sebastian is right there with me, pulling me to his chest. I can’t get any words out to tell him what is going on. My mind is fucking with me, and I can see Blainelying there before me. This feels like I am experiencing that night all over again. Someone was pulling me away from Blaine that night and I have hands wrapped around my waist again. Tears stream down my face, mixing with rain and makeup.
“I’m right here,” Sebastian soothes, as he pushes strands of my hair from my face. He grabs my face and forces me to look him in the eyes. “I’m right here. Take a deep breath with me. In through your nose and out through your mouth.” I try to mimic his breathing actions, but the images keep playing through my mind. “Stormy, listen to me. You have to slow your breathing. You’re going to hyperventilate. Now, deep breaths in and out,” he commands. “That’s it. Just like that. Take another one. You have to keep breathing, Stormy. Listen to my voice. I’ve got you.” I try to keep up with his breathing pattern. I watch as he inhales, and I do the same. He exhales and all the air leaves my lungs. “Now tell me three things you see.” I look at him for a moment, puzzled, but I do what he says.
“I-I see you.” I breathe out. I try to look around while my head is still grasped between his hands. “I see my ruined shoes.” I partly laugh out. “I see blood.” My breath hitches when I look back at my hand. I’m close to going back under, but Sebastian is right there to bring be back.
“Good girl. Don’t look at your hand. Look at me. Tell me three things you smell.” Again, I look at him sardonically, but I try to concentrate on what I smell.
“I smell leather. And your cologne. Sandalwood and vanilla, I think. And I smell the dirty lobby smell.” He grins at my answers, and I can’t help but to return it. A sob gets caught in my throat as I try to explainwhat just happened. I feel so vulnerable and raw. The adrenaline coursing through my body wants me to take flight and get out of here, to hide myself away from all the pain. “I-I’m okay, now. I’m so sorry you had to see-”
“Shh, come here.” He pulls us up from the ground and tugs me into a tight embrace. I can’t help but to lean in close to him. His smell and warmth grounding me. “Don’t ever apologize for that,” he demands.
“But how did you know?” I murmur.How the hell did he know what was happening to me? How did he know how to stop it from going any further?
“My cousin, Sam, has PTSD from the military,” he explains. “I’ve been around him when he was having a flash back and I could see the same expression on you. He once told me how his therapist said to ground himself during an episode. Naming three things you can see and three things you can smell. You can keep going and name other things around you. It helps bring you back to the present,” he breathes out, into the side of my ear. Another tremble runs through me as his hot breath caresses my skin.
I’m shivering all over now. Whether it’s from my soaked clothing or coming down from the panic attack. “Thank you,” Is all I manage to say.
“Let’s get you to your apartment.” Sebastian picks up my discarded shoes and purse, plus all the shopping bags. He takes my hand as we walk towards the elevator. Maybe my first impression of Sebastian was wrong. Maybe he isn’t the colossal asshat that I thought he was. However, I still have to remember the news article Lana sent me about him. He’s a playboy and I can’t give my heart to someone that’s going to throw me away. I’ve been through way too much for that. I have to keep my guard up around him.Yeah, final last words.
Chapter 12
Sebastian
As we walk into Stormy’s apartment, she shrugs out of my jacket and hangs it by the door. It looks good hanging there is what I instantly think. Then I wonder where the hell that came from. I do admit I want to know more about this mysterious vixen before me and what demons she’s fighting. She was about to go into full blown panic mode when she saw the blood on her hand. Something in that view struck something within her and she went to a dark place. I’m just glad I was able to get her through it. An event like that binds people together. I feel closer to her now. That shared experience shot a tether between us that I don’t think I want to sever.
“Where is your bathroom? We need to clean your hand.” I drop her shoes and purse to the floor.
“Thank you for the ride and everything, but I can take care of my hand myself.” She still is trying to fight me on this. Little does she know that this isn’t a battle that she is going to win.
“Is that right? You’re right-handed, Stormy. How are you going to manage to get these closures on your palm? Can you stop being a pain in the ass for five seconds and let someone help you?” I grab her left hand and tug her to me. She lets out a gasp as I push her upagainst the wall and press my body into hers.
“I-I can do it, Sebastian,” she replies breathlessly. She licks her lips and looks up at me towering over her. She tries to push me away, but I stand unaffected.
I lean down, my face level with hers, “I think you need someone to do it for you. Who takes care of you, Stormy? Hmm? You need to let people in.” She rolls her eyes and tries to duck around me but I’m there hauling her back to the wall. This time I keep one hand on her waist and the other on her face. She’s got nowhere to go. She has to submit to me.
“Sebastian, I-” I slam my lips down on hers, shutting up that sassy little mouth. We stand motionless for a moment, until she finally succumbs and pulls me closer. She rises up on her toes, but I pick her up and her legs automatically circle around my waist. I push her back against the wall and cup her face while I devour her mouth. She lets out a low moan, allowing my tongue access to hers.
