35. Lilian
Chapter 35
Lilian
His fingers gather our mixed arousal and shove it back inside me, making me whimper. “So, you’re up for another round?”
I huff. “You’re insatiable.”
He chuckles low and gives me a light slap on the ass before placing kisses along my spine, and this time I hum, my skin tingling everywhere he touches.
He stops at my ear and nibs. “Let’s take a bath.”
“Hmm?” I hum, still floating in the haze of post-orgasmic bliss.
“I’ll draw you a bath. Wait here for me, princess.”
I’m spent and content to bask in the afterglow. I don’t want to move an inch.
He returns a few minutes later and scoops me into his arms. I bury my face in the crook of his neck as he carries me into the bathroom, gently lowering me into the warm bath before settling in behind me.
The steamy air is heavy with the scent of jasmine and vanilla, and with a happy sigh, I rest my head on his shoulder, seeking the heat of his body. My whole body is pleasantly sore, used in the best possible way.
He begins massaging my shoulders, working out the knots, melting the remaining tension from them. “Feel good?”
“Mmm.” I close my eyes, focusing on the soothing caress of his hands and the warmth seeping into my skin.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He laughs. “Did you know that dolphins sleep with one eye open?”
I can’t help but laugh. “Seriously?”
“I missed your laugh, princess.” He places slow, deliberate kisses along my neck. “And I missed holding you.”
“I missed you too.”
After we wash up and rinse the soap, his strong arms wrap around my waist, cradling me close to his chest.
“Thank you.” My voice is barely audible above the sound of the water lapping around us. “For taking care of me.”
I tilt my head up, seeking out his lips. He obliges, kissing me softly and thoroughly. It’s an unhurried, languid kiss filled with tenderness and care.
“You never have to thank me for that, princess. Your pleasure and comfort are my top priorities.”
“Why do you call me that? ”
“Call you what? Princess?” He presses a kiss to my wrist. “I don’t know. It fits you. Delicate, yet strong. Regal, yet warm. And, of course, utterly breathtaking.”
“Mhmm.”
“Your uncle wasn’t happy about us, was he?” The peace inside me shatters, replaced by a swell of panic.
Sebastian’s arms tighten around me. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s alright. He wasn’t happy at all. I’ve never experienced him so angry.”
“I’m not surprised. Our families have despised each other for as long as I can remember.”
“Did your parents say anything to you?” I intertwine my hand with his.
“My mother likes you. But my father…”
Hates me. “What did he say?”
Sebastian’s jaw clenches. “He told me to end things with you. He was worried the Nexus deal could be jeopardized if anyone found out we were together.”
“Nexus?”
“It’s nothing. Forget I mentioned it.”
“No, please. Tell me.”
He hesitates, his brow furrowing. “It’s a big deal. A top-notch technology that could change everything for our company. But if word got out about us…” He shakes his head.
I sit up straighter, water sloshing around me. “What do you mean? Why would us being together affect anything? ”
“Because the Campbells own the company we’re taking over, and they’re in bed with your Uncle, our competitor.”
“Jason’s family?” It’s like I’ve been punched in the gut. “What?”
“I know, I know. It’s a fucking messy legal minefield.” He leans back, staring at the ceiling. “My father’s been working on this for months, if not years. If anyone finds out about us, it could be seen as a conflict of interest or, worse, insider trading. The regulators would jump on it, investigating both our companies for unfair practices. Nexus would likely back out to avoid the scrutiny, fearing fines or legal action that could bankrupt them.”
A chill runs through me despite the warm water. “So what do we do?”
He rests his chin on top of my head. “I don’t know, princess. But I do know that I’m not willing to give you up. Not for some business deal, not for anything.”
I twist in his arms, meeting his gaze. “Even if it means going against your father?”
“Even then.”
“I don’t want to come between you and your family, Sebastian.”
“You’re not. This is my choice.” His fingers tilt my chin up, and he captures my lips in a kiss, one that is a promise. A vow.
We resume soaking in the warm water, his fingers continuing the nonsensical patterns across my skin .
“We should get out of the tub before we turn into prunes.” Sebastian chuckles, though the reluctance in his tone is obvious.
“I suppose.” I nestle closer for one last moment.
“You’re really making this hard for me.” He helps me stand up, our bodies still wet and slick from the bathwater.
Gently, he wraps a towel around my shivering body before attending to himself. After he’s done, he scoops me back into his arms.
“I can walk, you know?”
“And I can carry you.”
We’re almost back to the bed when I spot my bag. His bruises.
“Wait, put me down.” I try to wiggle free, but Sebastian’s grip is too strong.
“What are you doing?”
“Your bruises.” I gesture at my bag. “We have to put the cream on them.”
“Shh. Relax.” He stops in his tracks. “You can treat me in the morning. Right now, we’ll rest.”
“Please.”
“I think I didn’t fuck you properly if you still have so much energy, princess.”
“Please.”
With a groan, he lets me down, and I rummage through the bag, fingers closing around the small jar.
“Sit.” I point to the bed .
He lowers onto the edge of the bed, towel slung low around his hips. I stand between his knees, acutely aware of his gaze on me as I smooth the salve over his bruises. The dark marks marring his beautiful skin must hurt.
“I’m sorry,” he says softly.
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“Not just for the fight.” His hand covers my wrist, stilling my movements. “For not telling you the truth. You deserve better than that.”
I meet his eyes, struck by the raw emotion simmering beneath the surface.
My free hand traces the sharp line of his jaw. “I forgive you. Let’s forget it, okay?”
He turns his head, pressing a kiss to my palm. “You’re too good for me, princess.”
I resume my task. “Why did you fight him?”
He tenses, his expression turning guarded.
“Tell me.”
After a long moment, he sighs. “He said some things about you. Things I didn’t want to hear. So, I hit him, he hit me, and I lost my temper.”
“What did he say?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He averts his eyes. “I overreacted. I’m sorry.”
“Please. I want to understand.”
He stays silent.
“Is that why you thought I was with him? ”
“He insinuated that you were with him the other night and implied certain things about what the two of you did.”
No wonder he lashed out. So Jason did it on purpose and even lied to me about it. Probably, so I’d hate Sebastian even more.
“I’m sorry he said those things. They weren’t true,” I say.
His jaw clenches. “I know. But hearing him talk about you like that. I couldn’t control myself.”
I palm his cheek, the roughness of his stubble against my skin like sandpaper. “Please don’t let him provoke you anymore.”
“I know.” He shakes his head. “I can’t stand the thought of anyone else touching you.”
His words ignite a spark low in my belly, and the possessiveness in his tone should worry me, but it doesn’t.
“No one else has touched me. Only you,” I say.
He tugs me closer. “Princess.”
“I’m yours, Sebastian. Only yours.”
A growl rumbles in his chest. “Say it again.”