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He strips off his outdoor gear and heads deeper into the house, and I can hear him rummaging in a cabinet as I peel off my boots and coat. Then there’s a flicker of light, and Sebastian is back, swinging a battery-powered lantern.
“This way,” he orders, and I follow him through to the living room. In the light from the lantern, I can see it’s a rustic, cozy looking place, full of wood accents and comfy furniture. It’s smaller than I would have expected from the great hedge fund billionaire, but right now, I would be happy with a single-room trailer, if there were four walls and a place to sleep.
God, sleep. I’m halfway there already, swaying on my feet as Sebastian goes to the huge stone fireplace that dominates the far wall. He grabs logs from the stack by the wall, and starts to build a fire in the grate, muttering something under his breath as he strikes a match, and lights the old newspaper.
It flares, burning brightly, and I move closer, drawn to the warmth and light. I hold out my frozen, stiff hands, just about ready to collapse.
God, it feels good.
“Get undressed.”
I blink at Sebastian in shock. He’s looming over me, already pulling off his sweater.
“W-what?” I gape, filled with a rush of telltale desire, despite everything.
My body still wants him.
Sebastian unbuttons his shirt, stripping it from his body with clinical efficiency. “Our clothes are wet through. We need to take them off, otherwise we’ll never get warm.”
Shirtless, his bare chest glows in the firelight. Taut. Muscular.
Tempting.
I avert my gaze, still reluctant. Now that the immediate danger has passed, I’m faced with the more pressing one.
Sebastian and I, alone in the house.
Getting naked.
“I’m fine,” I lie, edging closer to the fire. So what if I can barely feel my feet anymore, and I’m shivering so hard my teeth rattle? People take ice plunge baths for fun.
Sebastian exhales a frustrated breath. “Avery, I’m too tired to argue with you anymore. You’re cold, and wet through, and the last thing I need is you catching pneumonia while we’re stranded out here. So, for the love of God, take off your fucking clothes.”
I swallow hard. Even after everything, that steely tone in his voice is impossible to disobey.
“Fine,” I mumble, reaching for my damp sweater. “Just don’t look.”
Sebastian narrows his eyes. “I’ve already seen it all, Sparrow.”
His nickname still makes me shiver, but he’s already striding out of the room, leaving me free to strip out of my wet clothing. The warmth of the fire feels incredible against my bare skin, and I practically sigh in pleasure and relief.
Sebastian returns, with a couple of thick, warm bathrobes. “Here,” he shoves one at me, then strips off the rest of his clothes, and pulls his own on. We settle on the floor in front of the fire, crowding as close as possible to the flames without getting burned.
Still, my teeth won’t stop chattering.
“Do you need anything?” Sebastian’s voice comes, gruff.
I shake my head, my arms wrapped around my body, trying to keep my distance from him. “Just warmth,” I mutter.
Sebastian curses again under his breath. Then he puts an arm around my shoulders and yanks me closer.
“Hey!” I try to struggle, but Sebastian tucks me in his lap, resting against his chest as if I belong there.
“You can fight me tomorrow,” his voice is low in my ear. “Let’s just get through tonight, OK?”
I relax. I can’t help it. His arms are tight around me, and the warmth from his body seeps into me, just as hot as the fire blazing in the hearth.
God, it feels so good…
