Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chloe
“Hey, Eli.” I smiled as I walked into the kitchen.
“Hello, Chloe. I was happy to get Sebastian’s call about driving you home. I take it the two of you are?—”
“Oh yeah.” I bit down on my bottom lip and smiled. “We certainly are.”
He chuckled. “Where is he?”
“In the shower. He told me everything last night.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear that.”
“Glad to hear what?” Sebastian asked as he walked into the kitchen.
“Just that the two of you are together,” Eli replied.
Sebastian placed his hands on my hips.
“Eli is going to drive you home, and then I’ll be by later to pick you up for your parents’ party. I have an errand to run.”
“What kind of errand? I can go with you?”
“No, no. You’d be bored. I’ll see you later.” He kissed my lips and walked out.
“Huh. What’s he up to?” I narrowed my eyes at Eli.
He shrugged. “I have no idea, but I wouldn’t question him. Are you ready to go?”
Stepping inside my apartment, I set down my purse and took a shower to start getting ready for the party. I was a little worried about what Sebastian would think of my parents’ friends. This wasn’t the type of party he was used to attending. There would be no fancy dresses, beautiful lighting, expensive champagne, fine food, or expensive table linens. They were just a bunch of rowdy people who liked to party barefoot, listen to folk music, drink the cheapest beer money could buy, and smoke a little weed.
I had just finished putting on my makeup and styling my hair when a text message from Sebastian came through.
“I’m downstairs. Buzz me in.”
My heart fluttered. I already missed him even though it had only been a few hours. He whistled as he walked up the stairs when he saw me standing at the door.
“You look so sexy.” He smiled as he kissed me.
“Mhm. So do you.” I wrapped my arms around him. “Come on in. Did you get your errand done?” I asked as I headed to the bedroom.
“I sure did.” He followed behind. “I have something for you.”
“For me?” I smiled. “Why?”
“Happy belated birthday, baby.” He handed me a small blue square box from Tiffany’s.
“Sebastian.” I pouted. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Yes, I did. Now, don’t argue. Open it.”
I untied the pretty blue bow and carefully removed the lid.
“Oh, Sebastian.” Tears started to form in my eyes as I looked at the beautiful 18kt rose gold bracelet with a heart charm that displayed the letter “C” in diamonds. “This is gorgeous.” I took it out of the box and held it up.
“Do you really like it?”
“I love it. Wow. Thank you.” I brushed my lips against his.
“You’re welcome. Let me help you put it on.”
He took the bracelet from me and clasped it around my wrist.
“It looks beautiful on you.”
“You have excellent taste, Mr. Bennett. My wrist thanks you.”
He let out a low growl as his lips traveled to my ear, and his hand slipped up my short silk robe.
“Is that the only part of your body that thanks me? Because my hand seems to think otherwise.”
I let out a gasp as his finger plunged inside me.
“Every part of my body wants to thank you in every way possible, but we don’t have time right now.”
His lips hovered over mine. “Baby, all we need is a few minutes. Take your pick. The bed, wall, and floor are up to you.”
He had me in a trance as his finger explored me, and his hot breath swept over my face. His sultry eyes stared into mine with such passion that I couldn’t resist him. My hands reached down and undid his pants, sliding them off his hips while he untied my robe and pushed it off my shoulders.
“The wall.” I smiled.
“You have clearly read my mind.” He picked me up.
As I wrapped my legs around his waist, he pushed my back up against the wall and pushed himself inside me, hard and deep. Moans escaped my lips as subtle grunts escaped his with each hard thrust. It didn’t take long for us to reach our peak and release ourselves to each other.
When we stepped inside my parents’ apartment, they welcomed us with open arms.
“Happy anniversary, parents.” I smiled as I hugged them.
“Thank you, pumpkin.” My dad smiled and then turned his attention to Sebastian. “Nice to see you again, Sebastian.” He extended his hand.
“Likewise, Larry. Happy anniversary.”
My mom placed her hands on each side of Sebastian’s face. “Thank you for coming.” She smiled.
“It’s my pleasure.”
After introducing Sebastian to my parents’ friends, my dad strummed his guitar to get everyone’s attention.
“I would like to say a few words. Twenty-six years ago today, I met the woman of my dreams. She was and still is the most beautiful woman in the world.”
“Oh, Larry.” My mom smiled as she stood next to him.
He turned to her and took hold of both her hands. “I love you, Ophelia, and these past twenty-six years have been incredible to share with you. The best part of all these years is the beautiful gift you gave me: our daughter, Chloe.”
Tears sprang to my eyes as I sat there and listened to my dad.
“I just want you to know that I can’t wait to spend another twenty-six years plus with you. You are my shining star, and I love you.”
As I wiped a tear from my eye, Sebastian put his arm around me. My parents embraced each other tightly as everyone in the room cheered.
“Chloe,” my dad spoke as he handed me his guitar, “the song we discussed.”
With a smile, I got up, grabbed his guitar, and began to play “Only You” by Joshua Radin. Sebastian stood across the room and intently watched me as I sang with my father while the love my parents had for each other radiated throughout the room.
After the party was over, I stayed back to help my mom clean up.
“Chloe, I don’t want you to help. You go home with Sebastian. I’m sure the two of you are dying to have sex.” She smiled.
“I’m good, Mom. We had sex all morning and right before we came.”
Sebastian’s jaw dropped as he looked over at me.
“Oh, Sebastian, don’t be embarrassed. I think it’s wonderful the two of you are together and having so much sex. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. The cohabitation between two people who love each other is a beautiful and nurturing thing.”
Ah, shit, she had to throw in the L word. I could tell by the look on Sebastian’s face that what she said bothered him, so I decided to listen to her and head home. As we were driving home, Sebastian made a comment that caught me off guard.
“I think what your parents are doing is great.”
“Which thing are you speaking of?” I asked.
“The whole relationship thing without marriage. I mean, who needs that stupid piece of paper to be with someone for the rest of your life? If you’re happy with the way things are, why change it? Like they say, if it isn’t broken, don’t try to fix it.”
“I don’t know. I kind of disagree, but don’t tell them that.”
“What do you mean you disagree?”
“Marriage is the ultimate level of commitment. I think it’s too easy for people just to break up or walk away if they hit a bump in the road. It allows you to be fully committed to one person. I don’t know, Sebastian. I just believe in the whole concept of marriage.”
“Your parents seem happy with the way things are.”
“Maybe they are, but I’m not. I’m still waiting for them to take it to the next level. But I know they never will, and in a way, I’m disappointed about it.”
“Well, I think it’s great, and I like how they think,” he said.
I was getting irritated, and I wanted the subject dropped. He was trying to be subtle to let me know that marriage would never be an option. Was I okay with that? I wasn’t sure. It was too early in our relationship to even think that far ahead.
I patted his arm. “I’m glad you like them.”
He gave me a small smile and kissed my head.