Chapter 24
Lily
I wake up feeling more rested and relaxed than I have for a long time.
Yesterday was quite the night.
It makes me light-headed thinking about it.
Being with Sebastian was everything I’ve wanted and more.
He’s already been the best lover I’ve ever had, and we haven’t even gone all the way.
I don’t have the most experience in the sexual department, but I’ve had a few partners over the years.
None of them have made me feel the way Sebastian did.
With other guys, they’ve made me feel like I’m too much, too demanding in the bedroom whenever I’ve voiced my desires or wanted to try something new.
With Sebastian, it was the total opposite.
When he was down on his knees, he looked intoxicated by me. Like this was the best time he’s ever had, pleasuring me.
He makes me feel empowered and sexy, and I don’t feel the need to hide from him or my desires.
I make my way out of bed, taking a quick shower and getting dressed in a pair of jeans and a sweater.
I grab my phone and smile when I see a text from Sebastian waiting.
Sebastian: Come up for breakfast
Lily: And what if I already have breakfast plans?
I obviously don’t, but I like flirting with him. My social circle is basically limited to him here in London.
Sebastian: Cancel them.
Lily: So bossy.
Sebastian: You love it.
Yeah, I do.
Just as I’m heading out the door, my phone rings; it’s the Sunday catch-up call with the girls.
Shit. I forgot about that.
I text Sebastian that I will be up after my call, but they don’t need to wait for me.
I sit down on the couch, excited to talk to my girls and hear the latest developments.
Right away, Mira goes into a rant about the project and how she might have to stay in Texas for longer.
The project started well, but now, the team she’s following has been too busy for her, leaving her with less data than she needs.
When she raised the challenges, she was told she could stay longer.
“It’s just so frustrating. They agreed to this project, and now I feel like they’re pulling out on me halfway,” she says, pacing around her hotel room.
Not everyone has been as lucky as I have and has gotten their own apartment for this project.
Sebastian truly is the best host in every way.
“Maybe you can come to Australia. Help me out with the sailor,” Kait says.
She’s still not making much progress, which leaves her with similar challenges to Mira.
Not having enough data will make the writing more difficult, since our assignment is meant to build on it.
Wendy seems to be doing well, like me. I feel bad for Mira and Kait, though; school work is challenging enough as it is.
You don’t need your athletes giving you a hard time on top of that.
“And if I have to stay longer, our trip to the Caribbean may be ruined, or at least shortened!” Mira says.
Kait blows out a breath, probably seeing her well-planned proposals fly out the window.
“Yeah, maybe we have to wing it. I know you’re going to have a heart attack, Kait, but Australia does have nice hospitals, right?” I joke.
The others laugh, and I’m grateful to at least be able to put a smile on their faces even when they’re going through something stressful.
We decide to wait with booking anything.
Hopefully, things will work out for the girls, and we’ll be able to take our trip.
After saying our goodbyes, I make my way to Sebastian’s apartment.
Joseph is seated at the table, his head in his hands, groaning. He’s sporting a real good hangover.
I feel extra grateful for not drinking yesterday when I see his agony.
“A beautiful Sunday morning, isn’t it, Joseph?” I say, mocking him a little.
Sebastian is putting out all kinds of food on the table. It looks like he’s ordered breakfast for his whole football team when it’s us three plus his parents if they come over.
Sebastian makes his way over to me, pulling me close to him before dipping down and kissing me.
I sigh against his lips.
Gosh, I’ll never tire of this man and the feelings he evokes in me.
“Morning, babe,” he says.
“Morning, babe,” I murmur back, earning me a dazzling smile and a quick squeeze to my ass.
Sebastian really is an ass man.
I help him set out the plates, and just as everything is ready, his parents arrive.
“It smells lovely in here!” his mother exclaims as they enter the apartment.
His parents give both Sebastian and me hugs whilst his mother shakes her head at her eldest son.
“Joseph, how much did you have to drink last night? Would have thought you were the one scoring a goal and winning the match.”
She ruffles his hair, Joseph muttering in his seat about a headache.
Sebastian’s mom looks at him, pride in her eyes. He always plays marvellously, but having his family in the stands yesterday was something else.
He was spectacular.
I love watching him play; experiencing it together with his family was even better.
All were wearing his jersey and cheering him on.
“We’ll come back for your quarter-final,” his dad says, referring to the Champions League and our hope that his team will make it as far as possible.
His dad seems unwavering in his belief that they’ll stand at the top at the end of the season.
They have a few games left before they’ll advance to the quarter-final—if they continue playing as well as they’ve done this far.
At the mention of this, I feel a pit in the bottom of my stomach.
What will happen when I go back to the US?
We have only a few weeks left before I return to my life in Seattle.
Will we do a long-distance relationship?
Is this even a relationship?
I should probably talk to Sebastian about these things, but I’m worried about what he’ll say.
Scared he’ll say this is a temporary situation.
Fucking terrified if he tells me it’s not.
I’ve had some flings, but those have been casual. Not really anything I’ve spent much time dwelling on, wondering about what we are.
Whenever my friends have talked about the need to define something between them and their man, I’ve never felt the need.
Going with the flow and not worrying too much has always been my strategy.
As I look over to Sebastian, I know deep down that I won’t be able to handle this the same way.
I don’t know if I even want to.
And he’s been persistent about talking to Luke; that must indicate this is more to him than a fling, right?
Shit.
This is way too heavy to think about on a Sunday morning whilst having breakfast with his family.
These worries can rest for another day.
～
“I can’t take any more.”
Joseph is still hungover and complaining as we walk around the Sky Garden.
When Sebastian suggested it, I raised an eyebrow at him, knowing it’s part of my bucket list.
Has he seen the list?
As I think about it, he’s ticked off several of the things I’ve set out to do whilst I’m here.
His mom also seemed delighted at the idea, and soon enough, we were on our way.
Joseph would have a better time if he stayed back in the apartment, but their parents were insistent on some family time before they left.
That also included me.
When I stood up after breakfast, ready to give them some time alone, his mother gave me a stern look and asked where I thought I was going.
Sebastian just sat there wearing his signature smirk.
He seems to enjoy himself whenever I squirm around his family.
I stop when I spot several butterflies on the plants next to me.
Their colours are vibrant shades of blue, yellow, and orange. They’re breathtaking.
Hands sneak around my waist as Sebastian stands behind me, resting his head on my shoulder.
“Having a good time?” He kisses my cheek, making my insides turn to mush.
I rest my hands on top of his, soaking in his presence.
“Yeah, it’s beautiful here,” I say, leaning into his body, letting his warmth enwrap me.
We stand there, watching the butterflies as they fly around.
“Do you think a drink will solve my hangover?” Joseph says from beside us.
“Spoken like a true alcoholic,” Sebastian jokes, making me chuckle as well.
I didn’t realise how much he had to drink yesterday, but I was rather occupied with Sebastian getting me off under the freaking table to notice.
I can’t believe we did that.
That’s what you get when you have two people who never back down from a challenge.
I wanted to see how far Sebastian would push it. I didn’t think he would actually go as far as he did.
It was bloody fantastic.
I knew his wild side was in there, and I’ve been waiting for him to come out and play.
Joseph sets off for the restaurant, and we decide to tag along to get something to drink as well—preferably a coffee or a Coke Zero for me.
When Sebastian grabs my hand, those butterflies seem to have taken flight inside of me.
Such a simple gesture, but it lights me up.
His thumb caresses my hand as we order our drinks.
Joseph settles on some water, as does Sebastian. His parents and I order coffee.
“The only other grown-up here is you, Lily,” his dad says, gesturing to the cup in my hand.
The playfulness of their family is wonderful.
“Yeah, the day isn’t the same without some caffeine,” I say, and his parents nod their heads in agreement.
This day is quickly becoming another great day, which seems to be the norm of this life I’m living in London.