14. Sebastian
Chapter 14
Sebastian
Fuck this traffic. I slam my hand against the steering wheel, glaring at the sea of unmoving cars stretching before me. Of course, there would be an accident on the one day I need everything to go smoothly.
4:32 PM. Lil’s probably already checked in by now. And here I am, stuck on this godforsaken highway, watching my carefully laid plan go up in smoke.
My phone buzzes with another message from our group chat. Connor’s been updating us on him and Mary.
Connor: Is it too early for me to apologize again?
Elijah: Give her more time. Gem said Mary needs some space to sort out her head.
Brandon: Eli, with the insider info.
Sebastian: Wait till she approaches you.
Connor: I’ll try.
Connor: Speaking of trying. How’s your mission going, Bash?
Sebastian: Stuck in traffic. Some asshole decided today was a good day to crash his car.
Brandon: Shit. You gonna make it in time ?
Sebastian: Don’t have much of a choice, do I? Can’t exactly let her slip away again.
Elijah: You got a plan B if she doesn’t agree?
I let my head fall back against the headrest. Plan B. Right. I’ve been obsessing over every possible scenario for days. And the only plan I was able to come up with was A.
Sebastian: Working on it.
It’s a non-answer, and they probably see right through it. But admitting I’m flying blind here feels too much like weakness. And Sebastian fucking Barron doesn’t do weak.
Brandon: Keep us posted, man. We’re rooting for you.
Elijah: I should tell you from Gem not to do anything stupid.
I snort. Stupid is practically my middle name when it comes to Lil.
Sebastian: Tell my sister to stop snooping.
I toss the phone onto the passenger seat, drumming my fingers against the wheel. Come on, come on. Fucking move already.
On cue, the traffic starts to crawl forward. I exhale heavily, the tightness in my chest easing slightly.
Hang on, princess. I’m coming for you, whether you’re ready or not.
When Elijah first suggested this little scheme, I thought he was insane. Convince Lil to give me another chance by hijacking her spa weekend? It sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it might be my last shot. I didn’t see her since we had sex at the party. First, because I didn’t know how to approach her after she said I had already lost her, and second, I needed a plan.
A good plan .
I merge into the exit lane, following the signs for the Serenity Springs Resort & Spa. Normally, I wouldn’t be caught dead at some new age spa retreat. But this isn’t about me.
It’s about her.
About us.
No distractions, no interruptions. A chance to finally hash things out and convince her to give us another shot.
I’ve got everything planned—couple’s massages and private dinners. All the romantic shit Lil used to go on about in college. I’ll woo her, seduce her, remind her of how good we are together.
And if that means spending a weekend getting rubbed down with scented oils and sipping herbal tea, then so be it.
The GPS dings, signaling my turn. I veer off to the right, following the winding drive up to the sprawling estate. Fuck, this place is massive. Polished stone and perfect lawns nestled against a backdrop of misty mountains. Exactly the kind of pretty getaway she’d love. Thanks go to Anne for recommending this place.
I pull up to the front entrance, grab my bag from the trunk, and toss my keys to the valet with a nod. The doors glide open, ushering me into a grand lobby.
Lil stands at the reception desk, her dark hair tumbling down her back, a small suitcase at her feet. I take a moment, admiring the graceful lines of her body and the gentle slope of her neck.
She’s filling out some paperwork, nodding along to whatever the receptionist is saying. I move closer, catching the tail end of their conversation.
“…no, it’ll just be me. My friend had to cancel last minute.”
“Are you sure?” The receptionist glances at her computer screen. “We have you down for the couple’s package. ”
“That can’t be right. It was supposed to be a girl’s weekend,” Lil says.
I stride up beside her. “There you are, babe. I told you I’d meet you at the desk.”
Lil startles, her eyes taking me in. “Sebastian?”
I flash her a grin, snaking my arm around her waist. “Surprise.”
“What—” Her voice drops to a hiss. “ What are you doing here?”
She doesn’t tell me to go. Doesn’t pull away. First win of the day.
“Didn’t want to miss this.” I wink at the receptionist. “I’ll take it from here.”
The woman hands over two key cards. “You’re all set, Mr. Barron. Enjoy your stay.”
I scoop up Lil’s bag before she can, guiding her towards the elevators.
She waits until the doors close behind us to round on me, eyes flashing. “Seriously, what are you doing here?”
Fuck, she’s gorgeous when she’s pissed.
I give her my best innocent look. “Can’t a guy surprise his girl with a romantic weekend getaway?”
“Is this some kind of joke?”
“No joke, princess. Just me, you, and a couple’s massage with our names on it.”
“You really think I’m going to go along with this?”
The elevator dings, and I gesture for her to exit first. She does, albeit reluctantly, and I follow close behind.
“Look, Lil.” I catch her elbow, whirling her to face me. “I know we have a lot of shit to sort through. But can we… pretend for a bit?”
“Pretend?”
“Yeah. Pretend we’re a normal couple. No fighting, no rehashing the past.” I point between us. “You and me, enjoying each other’s company.”
She stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Are you insane? We can’t pretend everything is fine.”
“Why not? We did on your wedding day. It’s just for the weekend. Think of it as a trial run. All in.”
“No fighting? No rehashing the past?”
“None. We can pretend it’s our first date or some shit.”
Lil worries her lip between her teeth, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head. I can’t blame her. I fucked up. But I don’t want to fight this anymore. I’ve been trying to deny it for far too long. I’m still in love with her. Hopelessly, irrevocably in love with this woman.
And now, I have a chance to prove it to her. To show her that I’m not the same man who walked away all those years ago. That I’m ready to fight for her, for us.
If she’ll let me. It couldn’t all have been a lie.
“Let me show you how good we can be together. Please,” I say.
“Fine. But separate rooms.” She tries to snatch the key cards from my fingers.
I tut, holding them out of reach. “Ah, ah. All in, remember? That means sharing a room. And a bed.”
Her eyes widen. “No way. Absolutely not.”
“What’s the matter, princess?” I dip my head. “Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands to yourself?”
She meets my gaze head-on, unflinching. “Hardly. There’s nothing between us anymore. You made sure of that.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I force my expression to remain neutral. I deserved that.
“Prove it then,” I dare her. “Share a room with me. Let’s see who cracks first.”
“This is crazy. ”
“Crazy can be fun.” I smirk. “Come on. Take a chance.”
She blows out a breath. “But I’m warning you. One wrong move, and I’m gone.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” I gesture for her to go ahead. “After you.”
A flush creeps up her neck, and she walks on.
Second win of the day.
I follow her to our room, swiping the key card. The door swings open to reveal a massive suite with plush fabrics and sleek modern lines. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a stunning view of the mountains, and the setting sun paints the sky in streaks of orange and pink.
But the real showstopper is the bed. The enormous, king-sized bed draped in crisp white linens. The bed we’ll be sharing for the next two nights.
She moves to the window, taking in the view. “It is beautiful. Anne didn’t lie.”
I set our bags down and step up behind her, close enough to feel the heat of her body. “Not as beautiful as you.”
She meets my gaze in the reflection, her cheeks pinkening. “Sebastian.”
“First date, princess, you have to endure all my bad pickup lines.” I skim my hands down her arms. “Now, what do you say we get this weekend started?” It’s nice to be able to touch her like this.
“What did you have in mind?”
“Well, we’ve got a couple’s massage booked in about…” I check my watch. “Twenty minutes. Think you can be ready by then?”
“A couple’s massage? Seriously? I thought you were joking.”
“Figured we could both use a little relaxation.”
Lil purses her lips. “Fine. Uhm, are there robes somewhere? ”
I gesture to the closet. “Robes are in there. Unless you’d prefer to go au naturel.”
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at her lips as she disappears into the closet, emerging a moment later with a plush robe and tossing one at me.
“You wish,” she says.
I shrug out of my shirt.
Her gaze lingers on my bare chest for a beat too long before she turns away, busying herself with her suitcase. Too late, princess. She gathers her hair into a messy bun, exposing the delicate curve of her neck.
Fuck, I want to press my lips there, to feel her pulse jump beneath my tongue. This is going to be a real test of my restraint, and we’re not even at the stage of her naked and slick with oil. But I can do this. I can keep things platonic and let Lil set the pace.
Even if it kills me.
I slip into the robe. “Ready?”
She nods, not quite meeting my eyes. “Lead the way.”
We head down to the spa, the silence stretching between us. It’s not uncomfortable, exactly, but charged. Like the air before a storm.
The massage room is bathed in flickering candlelight, with soft music you’d hear in a yoga studio setting a calm atmosphere. Two tables sit side by side, crisp sheets stretched taut. The scent of lavender and sandalwood hangs heavy, soothing, and sensual all at once.
The masseuses, a man and woman in matching white uniforms, greet us.
“Welcome. Please disrobe and lie face down on the tables. We’ll give you a moment of privacy before we begin. ”
They slip out, leaving us alone. I shrug out of my robe without hesitation, draping it over a chair. She keeps her back to me, clutching her own robe tightly.
“Don’t worry, princess. I promise not to look.” I climb onto my table, stretching out on my stomach. “See? Perfect gentleman.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.”
I hear the rustle of fabric and the whisper of her robe hitting the floor. The table creaks as she settles onto it, close enough to touch. I feel like a cat, enticed to do something I shouldn’t. Don’t touch her.
The masseuses return, dimming the lights further, and the music turns softer, mingling with the trickle of a fountain.
Warm oil drizzles onto my back, startling me. Then strong hands begin to knead my shoulders, working out the knots of tension.
I groan, my eyes slipping shut. Beside me, Lil lets out little sighs of pleasure, that shoot straight to my cock, and I shift, trying to subtly adjust myself.
“So, a librarian? How’s that working out for you?” I ask.
Lil’s head turns slightly, one eye cracking open to glare at me. “Sebastian.”
“Yes, princess?”
She sighs, exasperated. “Isn’t this supposed to be relaxing?”
“Well, yeah, but—”
“Then shut up.”
I blink, taken aback. Damn. Okay, then.
2:1. I can work with that.
I try to ignore the soft sounds of Lil’s breathing and the little hitches when her masseuse hits a particularly tense spot. It’s fucking torture .
My mind wanders, conjuring images of my hands on her skin, working out those knots myself. I’d take my time, savor every inch of her. Show her what she’s been missing.
I shift again, my cock throbbing insistently. I need to think of something else.
Lil lets out another little moan, and I nearly come undone. I’m half-tempted to say fuck it and climb onto her table to show her how un-relaxing I can be.
“This was a good idea.” Her voice is soft.
I turn my head to look at her again. In the candlelight, her skin glows like honey, impossibly smooth.
“It’s good. The library job,” she says. “Peaceful. I like books and the quiet.”
“Bet you don’t get much of that living with Mary and Gem.”
She laughs softly. “No, definitely not. But I don’t mind. It’s nice. And you?”
“Oh, you know. Schmoozing investors, crushing the competition. The usual.”
“How could I forget?”
The masseuse digs into a particularly tight spot on my shoulder, and I groan, my eyes slipping shut. “Fuck.”
Beside me, Lil makes a choking sound. I crack one eye open to find her staring at me, her cheeks flushed.
“What’s the matter? Think you can keep quiet?”
“Yes.”
“Want to test that later with me?”
“Shut up, Sebastian.”
“Make me. ”
She reaches over, smacking my arm, and I catch her hand, bringing it to my lips.
“Please try to remain still,” the masseuse says.
I release Lil with a wink, settling back onto the table. “Sorry. I’ll be good.”
We let the music and the slide of oiled hands lull us into hazy contentment. It’s a poor substitute for what I really want, but it’ll have to do.
For now.
Before I know it, the masseuses are finishing up, wiping the excess oil from our skin.
“Please take your time getting up. Water and robes are outside. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
They slip out, leaving us boneless and glowing on the tables.
I sit up slowly, rolling my shoulders. “We could do this more often.”
Lil does the same, clutching the sheet to her chest like a shield. “So, what now? Dinner?”
“Not for another hour or so. I was thinking we could check out the pool. Maybe go for a swim.”
“I didn’t bring a suit.”
My grin widens. “Who said anything about suits?”
“We can’t.”
“Why not? There’s no one else around.” I made sure of that.
“We could go up and grab them?”
I close the distance between us, catching her chin between my fingers and tipping her face up to mine. “Isn’t skinny dipping on that bucket list of yours?”
I catch a flicker of interest in her eyes before she shuts it down. “What if we get caught? ”
So she didn’t do it yet with someone else. That’s good to know.
“We won’t. Trust me,” I say.
“Fine.”
3:1. This is going… “Perfect. You don’t even have to worry about sand in certain places.”
“Yeah.” She wraps herself in the robe. “Because nothing is going to happen.”
We’ll see about that.
I put on my robe and take her hand, tugging her out of the massage room and down the hall to the pool area hidden away in a secluded corner of the resort. The air is humid, and the pool itself is massive, ringed by potted palms and plush lounge chairs. Steam rises from the heated water, beckoning.
I turn to face her, my fingers finding the knot of her robe. “Ready?”
She nods, her eyes locked on mine.
I slowly untie her robe, letting the fabric drop from her shoulders. My breath catches. Fuck, she’s stunning. All smooth skin and soft curves.
This is going to be one hell of a weekend. And by the end of it, I’ll have her back in my arms where she belongs. No matter what it takes.
I shrug out of my own robe, letting it pool at my feet. Lil’s gaze rakes over me, lingering on my cock, already half-hard from looking at her.
“Like what you see?” I tease, enjoying the flush that stains her cheeks.
“Shut up.”
I take her hand, leading her to the edge of the pool. We pause there, toes curling over the lip.
I glance at her. “On three?”
She nods, her fingers tightening around mine .
“One, two—”