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We’re in this together now, no matter what.
16
AVERY
I wakethe next morning to the warm glow of Italian sunrise… And Sebastian sprawled beside me in bed, his arms flung protectively around me.
I sigh, feeling a wash of contentment, a kind of peace that’s eluded me ever since we parted.
This is exactly where I belong.
The sense of security lulls me back to sleep again, there in his arms, and when I wake again, it’s later: The sun higher in the sky outside the balcony, and the sound of the shower running, the bed empty beside me.
I sit up, yawning, feeling the pleasant ache in my limbs. Our frantic reunion comes flooding back to me, the slide of Sebastian’s body on mine, the sweet friction of his cock, stretching me open…
“Good morning,” Sebastian steps out of the bathroom, naked and glistening from the shower with a tiny towel wrapped around his waist. He pauses there in the doorway, watching me with a smile.
I beam back. “It is, isn’t it?”
I know we have a world of drama and danger still to figure out, but right now, just being back together is enough for me.
Sebastian sees my appreciative stare, lingering on his body. He gives a chuckle, and his stride is more of a swagger as he crosses to the bed. Leaning over, he presses a sizzling kiss to my lips. “Hungry?” he murmurs, as I reach up and pull him closer.
“That depends…” I savor the taste of him, his scent so fresh and clean. “Would I need to leave this bed to get my fill?”
Sebastian’s eyebrow arches in amusement. “She needs filling, hmmm?” He trails a hand over my curves, teasing with a featherlight touch. “We’ll have to take care of that.”
“Yes.” I nod eagerly. “Soon. Right away.”
There’s a sudden knock at the door. Sebastian pulls back, and I let out a groan of frustration.
He laughs. “Hold that thought,” he says with a wink, before going to answer the door. I hear voices in the hallway, and a moment later, he returns with some bakery bags.
“And voilà,” he announces, presenting them with a grin.
I tear one open, and gasp happily when I find an assortment of pastries. “Breakfast?”
“From a bakery down the street. Try the lemon one,” he says, lifting the delicate shell-shaped pastry to my lips. “You’ll love it.”
I do. The sweet cream pastries—and this new lightness in Sebastian’s smile. He seems like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders; the dark shadows are gone from his gaze, and instead, there’s an almost boyish gleam of excitement as he wolfs down a pastry in one single bite.
I giggle, pretending to bat his hands away. “Leave some for me!” I protest, laughing.
He grins, snatching another. “Think fast!”
He grabs the bags, and opens the doors out to the balcony, where a small table and chairs are set, overlooking the early-morning canal. I grab a robe, and follow him, settling at the table to enjoy the view.
Of him.
“What is it?” Sebastian asks, seeing me looking.
I flush. “Nothing,” I reply. “I just… I guess a part of me thought I’d never see you again. That you would disappear, and I would never be able to track you down.”
Sebastian reaches across the table and takes my hand. “I thought about it. I wanted to,” he admits, “Not to leave you, but to protect you. But… I guess a part of me wasn’t ready to give up on you either. It’s probably why I’m still here.”
“Why did you wait?” I ask. “That’s one thing I still don’t understand. You could have had papers done in a matter of days. You got that passport for me quickly enough.”
Sebastian gives a rueful grin. “So quickly, the guy spooked, and refused to make another for me. I had to find new forgers, and have new bank accounts set up in another name… But the truth is, I wasn’t ready to go just yet. I suppose I was hoping you’d come.”
