Chapter 17 Lydia #2
The second video loaded, still images taken from the same spot with nothing else in the frame, and I spun the laptop around to Lisa and Jerry.
I was always very conscious to make sure Seb’s arm or hand wasn’t in the way.
Each image dissolved into the next as the design started to take shape.
It morphed from rough outlines to detailed flowers, transitioning to lifelike art that commemorated the sacrifice she’d made to save her life and the strength she carried with her at all times.
I could see my mother in Lisa’s fortitude. I bet she would have got a badass tattoo as a symbol of her perseverance too.
Lisa must have caught on to the fact that my thoughts had gotten away from me.
“Are you alright?” she asked, tears in her eyes.
Water threatened to spill over my lids, but I blinked them back, sniffling. “Yeah, I was just thinking about my mom.”
She reached out and held my hand. “She would be so proud of you. This video is beyond words, Lydia. I am so grateful you were there,” she said.
“Thanks,” I smiled.
“Look at us, both crying. That won’t do.” She patted my knee and got up. “Stay for dinner, won’t you? We’re having shepherd’s pie. I’ve been told by my daughter-in-law that it’s the best in town,” she humblebragged good-naturedly.
“If you’re sure, I’d love to.”
“Wonderful.” Lisa got up and went to the kitchen, leaving me and Jerry in the living room.
“I just want to thank you for being there for her. I offered to go with her to the appointments, but it was something that she wanted to do on her own. Still, I’m glad that she wasn’t alone in there.”
“Of course. I’m glad I was there as well. Lisa is so full of life and energy and joy. I don’t think she’s alone anywhere she goes. She draws people in without even trying.”
“That’s my Lisa.” Jerry grinned.
Dinner was ready before I knew it, and we all sat down to eat together. The shepherd’s pie was delicious, maybe even better than Downtown Diner’s, although I would never tell Sheila.
“Lisa, you don’t have to answer right now, but I was wondering if you would consider letting me use your photos in SD Ink’s promotional content. I know it’s very intimate, both in location and meaning, so if you don’t feel comfortable with that, I completely understand.”
“I don’t mind at all! Those photos are so tasteful and beautiful, I would be proud to share them with the world.”
“Seriously? Thank you so much.”
I had some really great ideas for those pictures. Maybe I could even do a series with other mastectomy clients, if there were any that were interested.
We finished eating and after fighting—and losing—the battle of dishes, I thanked Lisa and Jerry for their time and left.
I forgot how much energy and excitement it gave me to work on artistic projects like this. It had been far too long since I’d immersed myself in what I loved. Art. In all its forms.
The house was still empty when I got back.
I sat on the couch and turned on the television, scrolling through his streaming services for something to watch.
The next episode of the house-flipping competition show was out, but Seb and I had been watching that together, and I didn’t want to watch it without him.
I kept scrolling past it, but nothing else caught my interest.
I put some music on my phone and opened a graphic design app, uploading a couple of images from Lisa’s shoots. The leather couch squeaked as I shifted to a more comfortable position. The button of my faded black jeans dug into my belly.
Who even wore jeans in their own house?
I went into my room to change into pajamas.
It was only just after 8:00 p.m., so I knew I had some time before Seb got home from closing up the shop.
Plus, it was a Friday night, which meant a very good possibility that he would be going out instead of coming right home.
I knew there wasn’t a group hang since I had been invited to all of those, but he could be going out by himself or with some friends.
His big, soft bed was calling my name. It was an added bonus that it smelled like him too.
The comforter engulfed me in its heavenly fluff when I threw myself across the top of it.
I shimmed under the blankets for extra comfy goodness.
Luckily, Seb wasn’t one to make his bed overly neat.
It was more like he pulled the corners to the general right spot and called it good.
Easy enough for me to replicate when I had to reluctantly leave its warmth before Seb got home.
Time slipped away as I made graphic post after graphic post for SD Ink’s socials. My lids got heavy, my blinks slowly, slowly fading until they simply closed, and sleep overtook me.
* * *
I tried to roll onto my back, but I couldn’t. Something was blocking me. A heavy weight held me down across my waist. I shifted my hips, arching my back. A low growl sounded by my ear and went straight to my core in a rush. I stilled.
I must have fallen asleep last night in Seb’s bed. I thought I even remembered him trying to wake me up, but it felt like a dream, and I fell right back to sleep, enveloped by his soft bed, musky scent, and warm body.
Shit. He was never going to let me live this down.
My eyes rounded as Seb’s hand splayed across my belly under the fabric of my tee. He pressed me into him, my back to his front, and his hard, thick cock twitched on my ass.
My breath quickened as arousal flooded my veins. I rolled my hips again, feeling the friction of his dick behind me. This wasn’t the worst way to wake up, that was for sure.
“You’re playing with fire, little wild,” Seb groaned.
“I like to live dangerously,” I taunted, sleep making my voice sound husky and sultry.
His fingers pressed into my belly, his pinky splayed out so far it was teasing the waistband of my shorts.
“Do you know how many nights I laid in this bed, thinking I’m fucking crazy because all I could smell was you on my sheets.” His teeth grazed the side of my neck, and I tilted my head to give him better access.
“Maybe you’re just obsessed with me,” I sassed.
“No maybe about it. I know I’m obsessed with you.” His hand moved lower down my abdomen, his fingers slipping under my sleep shorts. He froze, another deep growl emanating from him. “Are you wearing underwear under these shorts?”
I shook my head, my messy bun bobbing along with me. “Nope.”
I could feel his chest’s rapid movement. He licked a path up my neck as his hand sank further past my waistband.
“Do you want me to stop?” he rasped.
I really didn’t. It probably wasn’t the smartest decision, but my body was on fire for this man, and my hormones had taken control of my mind. I wanted Sebastian, despite every precaution I’d told myself. They all felt like excuses right now when I had his fingers turning my belly to jelly.
“Did I tell you to stop?” I countered.
He bit my ear, then sucked my lobe into his mouth. “Such a brat,” he said.
One finger swiped between my slit, wetness coating his finger. He dragged it up my pussy, painting my lower lips with my arousal.
“Mmm,” I moaned, rolling my hips again. God, that felt so good. A blink of guilt popped into my mind, like I shouldn’t be doing this, but then he touched me again, and my eyes rolled back. Any misplaced guilt was gone in an instant.
Seb pinched my clit and rubbed small circles around the tight bundle of nerves. With two fingers, he slowly pushed his way into my canal, stretching me open.
“Yes,” I hissed, my head falling back and landing on his pectoral.
“Christ, you’re so tight, Lydia. If this was my cock, I would be stretching you twice as wide.”
I mumbled an incoherent response, chasing the pulse of his fingers with my hips. I had no doubt that Sebastian was big; even his fingers were thick and rough. He picked up speed as the heel of his hand rubbed along my overly sensitive clit. When he curled his fingers upward, I whimpered.
“Shit. Don’t stop.”
“You like this? You like my fingers inside of you, making you feel good?”
“I never said that,” I protested, the moan on my tongue calling me out as a liar.
“Tell me how much you like this, little wild, or I won’t let you come on my hand. And I really want to make you come.” He bit my neck again. My hips bucked wildly as the telltale tingling in my spine started.
Seb slowed his assault on my pussy. Edging could be fun and tantalizing, but that wasn’t what I needed right now. I just wanted him to finish what he started. I needed it, badly.
“Seb.” His name was a plea. “Don’t stop. Please, don’t stop.”
“I’ll settle for begging. Do you want me to let you come? Tell me,” he growled. There was something about that voice that I couldn’t fight. I didn’t want to.
“Please let me come on your hand, Seb. It feels so good. I need to come.”
He ramped up his thrusts, his cock jutting into my ass deliciously. White light cut through my vision as my body started to shake. The tremors clamped around his fingers as he slowed and worked me until I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Fuck. I feel like I need a cigarette after that,” I sighed, my body collapsing against his broad chest as Sebastian licked each of his fingers clean.
He pushed my hair out of my face and placed a lingering kiss on my jaw.
“I’m going to take a shower,” he said.
His massive erection was tenting his boxers as he made his way to his bathroom.
Shit.
My body felt so relaxed, so satiated, but my mind was starting to spin.
I could feel myself getting tangled up in emotions.
Seb was sexy and charming and challenging.
And based on his performance with his fingers alone, I could venture he was just as good in bed as he was eleven years ago, if not better after years of practice.
I sighed and crawled out of his bed. Whatever crossing this line meant, we didn’t need to figure it out right now. My good friends, denial and avoidance, would back me up on that.