24. Sebastian
Chapter 24
Sebastian
Lil is asleep in the passenger seat, her chest rising and falling with each gentle breath. We long arrived at my apartment, but fuck, I can’t bring myself to move, afraid I might shatter the peace she’s finally found after the shit of tonight.
When I first saw her, drenched and trembling in nothing but a towel, my heart nearly stopped. I wanted to never let go, to shield her from the world and all the fucked up things in it.
Truth is, I followed her home after her date. Didn’t even need to intervene—the guy was a total joke. But I couldn’t leave until I saw her safely inside. Then I drove off, only to get Gem’s call half an hour later.
Thank god for my sister telling me something was wrong.
And those cameras Connor set up? I was ready to wring the bastard’s neck for planting them, invading Lil’s and my sister’s privacy like that. But in that moment, seeing those men ransacking their place, I was fucking grateful. I alerted the cops and raced back, my mind consumed with one thought: get to Lil. Protect her. Keep her safe, no matter what.
And now, here we are .
She’s here, with me, and for the first time all night, I can breathe. I gently brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering on her soft skin. I know we’ve got a long road ahead of us, a lot of shit to work through.
In a twisted way, those burglars did me a favor. They brought her back into my arms and gave me a chance to have her close, to redeem myself and beg for her forgiveness. Be the man my mother said I could be. For Lil. For my princess.
I ease out of the driver’s seat, careful not to let the door slam. I don’t want to risk waking her, but she needs a bed. Moving to the passenger side, I open her door gently. She doesn’t stir, lost in a deep slumber. I unbuckle her seatbelt and scoop her up into my arms, her head instinctively nuzzling into my chest.
“Sebastian.”
“I’m here. Don’t worry.” I carry her to the elevator and step inside, hitting the button for my floor.
Lil mumbles incoherently, her breath warm against my neck, and I tighten my hold. This feels so right, so fucking natural, having her in my arms like this. She belongs here. With me.
Reaching my apartment, I navigate to the bedroom and lay her down on the king-size bed, slipping off her sneakers. She looks so small, so vulnerable. Fragile like a porcelain doll. I tuck the covers around her, making sure she’s warm and comfortable.
She curls onto her side, clutching at the pillow under her head. “Sebastian.” Her hand reaches out.
“Shh, princess.” I brush her cheek with my knuckles. “Sleep. I’m here.”
Her eyes flutter open briefly, unfocused and heavy with exhaustion. “Please don’t leave me again. ”
God, there’s nothing I want more. I’m sorry, princess. I’m so fucking sorry for ever doubting and leaving you.
I press a soft kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be right back, princess. I promise.”
She nods sleepily, her eyes already drifting shut again.
I slip out of the room, pulling out my phone. Time to make some calls and sort this out. Mary and Gemma are probably worried sick. The screen of my phone lights up with several missed calls and texts. Work will have to wait. Lil’s well-being is my top priority.
I’m about to call my sister when her face appears on my screen.
“Hey Gem, what’s up?”
“What do you mean what’s up? Bash! Is everything okay? How’s Lil?” Gemma asks.
“Lil’s fine. She’s sleeping right now.”
“Thank God. What happened?” Mary asks.
“Someone broke into the apartment. I found her hiding in the bathroom. She’s shaken up but not hurt.”
“What did the police say?” Gemma asks.
“The apartment is ransacked, but they didn’t take much. Guess they didn’t have enough time.”
“Please keep us posted.” Mary’s voice comes through now, quiet but firm. “Where are you now? She can stay with Connor and me for the time being.”
I shake my head, even though they can’t see me. “Lil’s staying with me.”
“Sebastian, I really don’t think that’s a good idea,” Mary says. “She’s been through a lot tonight and—”
“Mary,” Gemma interjects. “Let me talk to my brother alone for a sec, okay?”
There’s a pause, then a sigh. “Alright. But Bash, we’re trusting you with our girl. Be careful with her.”
“I will.”
The line clicks as Mary hangs up, leaving me alone with Gemma.
“Are you sure about this?” Her tone is gentle but probing. “Do you really think it’s a good idea for Lil to stay with you?”
I run a hand through my hair, pacing the living room. “Gem, you didn’t see her. She was terrified, shaking like a leaf. I can’t leave her alone after that.”
“I get it, but… your place? With your history? It might be too much for her to handle.”
“She needs someone to keep her safe. Someone she trusts. And right now, that’s me. My place is secure, I have plenty of room, and I can keep an eye on her. Make sure she’s okay. Mary and Connor are a couple. She would feel like a third wheel, disturbing them.”
Gemma’s quiet, then, “Is that the only reason?”
“You really gonna make me say it?”
“I think you need to. Out loud. To yourself, if no one else.”
I stop pacing, staring out the window at the city lights. “I want her back. I never stopped wanting her. I’ve been trying to find a way since… practically since she moved here. And after tonight, seeing her so scared, I want to make things right between us. But it’s not about that. It’s about being there for her when she needs me.”
“And if she doesn’t want you? If she pushes you away?”
“Then I’ll respect that. But I have to try. I can’t lose her again. Not like this.”
Gemma sighs. “Okay, listen to me. This is your last chance. If you fuck this up, if you hurt her again… I won’t support you anymore. Not even as your sister. ”
The weight of her words settles heavy in my chest. “I won’t. I swear. I’m not gonna fuck it up this time.”
“I hope not. For both your sakes.” Her voice softens. “Get some rest, okay? And tell Lil we love her and we’re here if she needs anything.”
“I will. Night, sis.”
“Night, big brother.”
The call ends, and I’m left in the silence of my apartment, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
Gemma’s right. This is my last chance. If I screw this up, if I let my own selfish desires, issues, or insecurities get in the way… I’ll lose everything. Lil, my sister’s support, any hope of redemption.
I can’t let that happen. I won’t. Not anymore.
From now on, I’m going to be the man she deserves. The man who stands by her side, no matter what. The man who earns her trust, her forgiveness.
The man who loves her, even if she never loves me back.
With a deep breath, I head back to the bedroom and go straight to the bathroom, undressing and taking a quick shower before slipping into sweatpants. The last thing Lil needs is being greeted by my dick. When I get back in the room, Lil hasn’t moved from where I left her, still curled up under the blankets
With painstaking care, I lift the edge of the duvet enough to slide beneath it.
She’s still fast asleep, curled on her side, facing away from me. I mold my body to hers, slipping one arm under her pillow and draping the other around her waist. She’s so warm, so soft. This is exactly where I want to be. Where I belong. With her.
I brush my nose over the bare skin of her shoulder, her chocolate scent that haunted me for years enveloping me. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I promise.” I won’t fuck this up. Not this time.
She nestles back against me with a sigh, a content little sound that makes my heart ache. I let my eyes drift shut, hoping to will myself to relax and let the events of the night fade away.
But then Lil shifts, her ass rubbing against my dick, and I’m instantly hard. I bite back a groan, my hand tightening on her hip. Gotta keep it together, now’s not the time to be getting hard for her. But my body doesn’t seem to care, responding to her nearness like a goddamn teenager.
“Princess…” I breathe out, my voice strained.
She wiggles again, and I swear she’s doing it on purpose. “Mmm, Sebastian…”
Fuck.
I try to subtly adjust myself, to put some space between us, but Lil’s not having it making a small noise of protest.
She reaches back, her hand finding mine and guiding it to her stomach, under the hem of her shirt. “I need to feel you.”
Christ, those words. I splay my fingers across her soft skin. “Sweet dreams, princess.”
We lay with her bottom pushed right up against me for a while, and I keep my hips angled back so she won’t feel my growing erection. I don’t want her to think I’m taking advantage when she’s like this.
But damn, it’s hard not to react to having her in my arms. Knowing it’s Lil, my Lil, and I’m the one holding her. Protecting her.
Eventually, her breathing evens out again, and she drifts back to sleep. I let my eyes fall shut, too, focusing on the warm press of her body and the sweetness of her hair .
I’m about to nod off when she shifts again. This time there’s no mistaking it—she rubs her ass right against my hard-on.
A groan slips out before I can stop it. Fuck. I should move away…
Lil rolls her hips again, arching her back. She’s definitely still asleep but must be having one hell of a dream, judging by the way she’s moving against me.
And goddamn if it doesn’t feel incredible, even through our clothes. I know I should stop this, but the sensation of her ass rubbing my cock is too good.
My hand on her hip flexes, fingers digging in. Gotta keep control here. But she keeps grinding on me, letting out these little breathy moans.
“Sebastian.” My name falls from her lips with a sigh.
Fuck, she’s dreaming about me. About us, together like this. I grip her hips harder, and she goes rigid, her breath hitching. My whole body freezes. Did I wake her? Is she scared?
“You okay?” I loosen my hold on her hips.
She twists in my arms, facing me now. “Is this… real?” Even in the darkness, I can see the glimmer of her eyes.
I nod.
Her hand slides down my chest, over my abs, teasing the waistband of my sweatpants.
“You should sleep,” I say, my whole body tense.
Her fingers trace the lines of my chest. “I like this dream.”
The raw need in her voice is almost my undoing, but I tighten my grip on her, willing myself to stay grounded in the moment. “This isn’t a dream. I’ll be here in the morning. Now, please, let’s sleep.”
“Make me.” Her lips brush my neck, fingers skimming lower. “That’s what you said at the spa, too. Remember?”
“We shouldn’t do this. You’ve been through a lot tonight. ”
“I don’t want to think about that. I want to feel… something good.”
“Are you sure?” I need to know this isn’t some knee-jerk reaction.
In answer, she inches closer and kisses me, her lips soft and insistent against mine. I groan into her mouth, squeezing her ass.
She tastes like coming home, like everything I’ve ever wanted. Like mine.
And if she wants me to fuck her, I’ll gladly oblige.
Lil squeaks in surprise as I flip her onto her back and pin her wrists above her head. “I’ll try to be gentle, but no promises.”
“I’m not made of porcelain.”
She’s right. She’s made of steel and fire. “Remember, you asked for it.”