Chapter 12
Chapter 12
Raven
“O kay, you’re right. Drinking an ice-cold beer while wrapped in a coat and scarf and watching men chase each other around with sticks really is the best way to enjoy your day.”
Sebastian laughed next to me, a big hearty laugh that did things to me. It also sent a few interested gazes his way, and when I raised a brow at a woman leaning a little too close to him, she just winked at me. When she mouthed, “Good for you,” to me, I beamed and settled in next to the big, tattooed man next to me.
I still couldn’t quite believe I was here, with him. Because he hadn’t gone away. He hadn’t said this was too much.
I had never been so open about anything like that before. I hadn’t felt the need. There had been no one like him. And that was the problem, of course, but here we were, on an actual date. It was a school night so Nora wasn’t with us. But she would’ve been welcome to join us.
Of course, I didn’t know exactly how that would work, because then we would be here just as friends, wouldn’t we?
“You have that little furrow between your brows. It makes me want to rub at it, but I don’t want to bother your skin when you’re getting so pink from the cold.”
I turned to him and sighed. “I was just thinking that I’m sad that Nora’s not here, but I’m also glad that we can just hang out. I don’t know exactly what that says about me.”
“She would’ve had a blast, she’d yell louder than any of us. Except for maybe my cousin, Kingston.”
“It’s too hard to remember all of you,” I said with a laugh.
“You know him. He comes into your bakery more than I do.”
“That’s because I can go through the door and just bring you what I think you need for the day.”
I smiled, a little warm at that thought. It had started out as a joke, us finally using the door between the two buildings so that way we could act like a big family. The door was behind the counter but in front of the kitchen so that way we were still up to code, but customers couldn’t go through. The idea was just so our team members could. Greer and I had begun to bring coffee and pastries as well as sandwiches and other goodies over to them in the middle of the day, just because we could. And they helped out busing tables or serving food if we got too busy and they had a spare moment. It was oddly working out, and even Wyatt came over a couple of times to help. The security guys were usually out of the office, so I didn’t see them as much. Their business tended to take them off the property. But I knew their coffee orders.
I especially knew Sebastian’s.
“We’re spoiled and I like it.” He paused. “Why were you thinking about Nora being here?” he asked.
I winced. “Because I don’t know how to act around her. I mean, I don’t think I’ve changed, but does she know we’re dating?” I paused. “I mean, if that’s the word that we’re using.”
He was silent for a moment. Of course, there was an actual play going on, and the opposing team’s goalie missed the puck and everyone jumped to their feet, screaming as the Avs were now up by one, but he ignored all that and hugged me tight and kissed me hard on the mouth.
“Dating’s a good word. We’re together. We’re not with anyone else. We can use it. And no, I haven’t brought anyone else around for Nora. But you’ve already been there.”
“We’re complicated,” I whispered against his lips, but then remembered that others were around us, and this was a little too serious of a talk for an Avalanche game.
He tangled his fingers with mine, as we went back to watching the game, the puck moving so fast it was hard to keep up, players going on and off the ice as if they were in their own choreographed ballet. I watched the athletic trainer in front of us stare down the players, his finger touching each player’s stick without even looking. Because as soon as their stick broke, they needed a new one, and he was there for them. It was brilliant, and if I focused on things like that, I wouldn’t focus on the fact that he hadn’t finished answering the question.
“I haven’t sat down with Nora and talked about us. Mostly because everything seemed to be moving forward in a casual way. She knows that we’re on a date. But I haven’t asked her what she thinks. And I will. This dad thing is still pretty new to me, even five years in.”
My heart raced and I squeezed his hand. Neither one of us was looking at each other because there was still a game on the ice, and we needed to beat Toronto. It was a rule in our house.
“I just don’t want to say the wrong thing around her.”
“You won’t. You haven’t. But yeah. I should probably talk to her. See how she’s doing with this whole thing.”
“Well, that won’t be awkward at all,” I said with a laugh, nervousness settling in.
“Thanks for that.”
“Hey, one day she’s going to be asking you for dating advice. Because she’s going to bring a boy or a girl home that is pierced and tattooed just like you.”
He scowled at me. “Really?”
“No, they’re going to be an accountant. All straitlaced, slicked back hair, not a tattoo in sight.”
“I’ll have you know that we have accountants in our family.”
“With no tattoos?”
“I didn’t say that.”
I snorted. The Avalanche won and we jumped to our feet, shouted, and he kissed me while others cheered around us.
“Ready to get out of here?”
“Yes.”
“We can go to a bar, get a beer with a hundred other happy Avalanche fans.”
“I’m good without a bar.”
“Okay, then let’s get you home.”
A couple came up to us, with bright eyes and wicked grins.
“I was wondering if that was you.”
“Hey, Leo.”
“Hi, Leo. And you’re May, right?” I asked, waving at the woman with short black hair and blunt bangs at Leo’s side. Leo worked with Sebastian, and May was the Montgomery childcare provider and organizer. The former nanny turned businesswoman was brilliant, and I had seen her come into the place a couple of times.
“It’s nice to see you guys. Go Avs!” she said, putting her hands in a little spirit fingers position.
I snorted. “Are you a hockey fan?”
She looked around, eyes wide, and whispered, “I like basketball. Don’t tell anyone.”
“How could you?” Sebastian said with mock offense.
Leo just sighed. “I tried to get her to like football. But no, it’s that. And tennis.”
“I still have a crush on Rafael Nadal,” May said, hand over her chest.
“You know, I was always a Federer girl, but yes, I swooned for Nadal.”
We met each other’s gazes and laughed, as the men at our sides just gave put-upon sighs.
“Come on, I need to get you home,” Leo said, as he put his arm around May’s waist.
“I don’t mind. We can discuss sports ball all you want.”
“You’re killing me here,” he said with a mock growl. They waved goodbye, and we each headed to our cars.
Sebastian turned up the music and we sang along to random indie rock and pop songs from our youth, and things just felt normal, as if we had always been here. Though we hadn’t, and it was still new, but that sense of familiarity made whatever the hell we were doing now easier. We pulled into Sebastian’s driveway, and I got out, rolling my shoulders back.
“That was fun.”
“It was.”
We stood in front of his car, and he reached his hands out. I looked down, confused, wondering exactly what would happen next. What should happen next.
“Come inside. Have a beer.”
“But isn’t Nora there?” I laughed. “Of course, Nora is there.”
“She knows I was with you tonight. And I have family sleep over all the time.”
“But no one in your bed.”
“My brother slept in my bed once, because my sisters were in the guest room, and Nora didn’t mind.”
“I am not Gus.”
“True.”
He lowered his hand, but then moved forward, cupping my cheek. “Nora’s sleeping. And you have baker’s hours. She knows that I was with you tonight. We’ll figure it out.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m as sure as I’m going to be.”
Not quite the answer I was hoping for, but then his lips were on mine.
I moaned into him, leaning close, when a wolf whistle sliced through the air.
“I have to get home and get to bed because I have an early morning. Go inside and stop giving the neighborhood a show,” Noah said as he came forward.
I frowned. “I thought Aria was babysitting.”
“Aria had to head out for a client, so Noah took over,” Sebastian said with a sigh. “I’m lucky that Nora loves all of you.”
“But I’m her favorite,” Noah said. He walked over and kissed the top of my head.
I blinked, confused.
“Be nice to our boy. And have all the fun that I wish I was having.” He saluted and walked away. I just shook my head.
“He’s interesting.”
“That’s one word for it. Come on, Nora’s in bed, but if she wakes up with a nightmare and realizes the house is empty, I’m going to have to kick Noah’s ass.”
I followed quickly, watching as Sebastian closed the door behind him.
Instead of getting a beer, or having a snack, or even having a chance to make things awkward, I slid my hand into his and we made our way down the hallway.
He checked in on Nora and closed the door quietly. I only caught a glimpse of Nora sleeping on her stomach, sprawled out like a starfish. Sebastian grinned and led me to his bedroom.
When I closed the door with a soft snick behind me, I let out a breath.
I hadn’t been in his bedroom. We had always gone to my place, because Nora was here.
He cupped my face, gently sliding his fingers down my cheek.
“You’re beautiful.”
I laughed. “I’m sweaty from wearing a coat all night, and I’m in maroon. Nobody looks good in maroon.”
“I’m not a liar. Don’t fight with me.”
“Are you sure, Sebastian?”
“I’m sure.” And then his lips were on mine again and I sighed into him.
We had to be quiet. We gently stripped each other, and when I pressed him back to the bed, he grinned and I went to my knees.
I licked up his shaft, being careful around the piercing. The only person I’d ever given a blow job to with a piercing was him, but he was teaching me what he liked. And he was always a little rough, a little forceful. He slid to the back of my throat, gagging me, but I wanted it. His hold was tight in my hair, the moves a little rough, but it’s what I wanted, what I needed. I scratched at the skin on his thighs, just as rough. We weren’t soft and sensual. We were hard and fast, but as quiet as possible.
When he was nearly ready to come, he pulled out and tugged me up so I was straddling him. He sat on the edge of the bed, my legs straddling him, and lifted me by the waist.
I was already wet, but he used one hand to play with me, and I put my hands on his shoulders for balance. He slid one finger deep inside of me and I groaned. Then he leaned forward, took one nipple into his mouth, and sucked. When he bit down, I shuddered, nearly coming just from that. I never came with breast play, but he knew what he was doing.
And then he was sliding me down onto his now condom-covered cock, his length stretching me to the brim. I was so full and he was nearly too damn big at this angle. His piercing hit that special spot inside of me, that bundle of nerves that always made me shake. My toes curled, and I moved so my feet were planted on the bed behind him. And then he lifted me up and down over his cock, slamming me onto him. Each thrust ached, to the point of pain but exactly what I wanted. My breasts bounced, both of us using our core muscles to fuck each other hard. The angle was too much, but not enough. I tugged on his shoulder and he smiled before tossing me on the bed. I rolled and we laughed, quietly. And then his mouth was on my pussy, his hands on my breasts. He plucked and tugged at my nipples as he ate me out, licking me and probing me. I came on his face, my legs wrapping around his neck. If he wasn’t careful, I would suffocate him with my thighs.
I kept that thought to myself as he gripped me by my hips and flipped me on my hands and knees. Before I could even get out a shocked gasp, he plunged deep inside of me.
He pounded in and out of me. We shook, and I gripped the bedspread, pushing back on him. And when I came again, clamping around his cock, he followed, hovering over me, biting at my shoulder, whispering my name.
I clung to him, holding as tight as I could.
“I really hope we were quiet enough,” he whispered against me.
I shook, holding back a laugh with his cock still deep inside me.
“If we’re not careful, we could wake the neighbors. So let’s be quiet.”
He kissed where he had bitten and frowned. “You might have a mark there.”
“You’re going to have marks on your ass from earlier.”
He laughed. “Serves me right. Let’s get us cleaned up, and then I’m going to tuck you into bed.”
I froze and looked up at him. “Are you sure? I can still go home.”
We were quiet for so long I wasn’t sure what he would say. What I wanted him to say.
Finally, he pushed my hair back from my face, rubbing his thumb over my lip. “Stay.”
So I stayed.