Chapter Twenty-Six
Jesse
I stood in a green field, butterflies dancing around me. One brushed my face, making me smile. The touches grew more insistent, until one nearly flew up my nose. I batted it away. Then, the butterfly scratched me.
My eyes flew open—well, one of them, since the other was buried in the pillow. Robin sat watching me, his green gaze unblinking. When he realized I was awake, he let out a demanding meow, circled twice, and planted his butt on my nose.
I sneezed and sat up. The cat looked annoyed, until I scratched him under the chin. He started to purr, not hungry, just seeking attention. Sebastian must have fed him already.
I’d fallen asleep in Sebastian’s bed, with its luxurious foam mattress that could put to sleep the worst of insomniacs. The shower ran, and the scent of tomato sauce drifted from the kitchen.
I lay back, stroking the kitten. “How did you sleep, mate? Not as well as me, I’ll bet.”
I couldn’t stop grinning. Sebastian and I were back together, and he’d told me he loved me. Life couldn’t get any better.
I grabbed one of his oversized T-shirts, pulled it over my head, and headed to the bathroom.
I opened the door slowly, admiring Sebastian’s wet body.
His muscles rippled as he washed his hair in that brisk, no-nonsense way men do.
Foam and water slid down his back, over his perfect ass, along his toned legs.
Robin rubbed against my feet. I bent down to pick him up, and he clung to me like a baby chimp.
Sebastian noticed me and turned. The steamy air got steamier as our gazes met.
Water ran down his chest, beautifully divided into two perfect pecs, dusted with hair that trailed down his six-pack.
He had the sexiest belly button I’d ever seen.
I loved dipping the tip of my tongue into it, then sliding it down to his—
“Morning.” He smiled, as though reading my mind.
I dragged my eyes from his crotch to his face. “Morning. Something smells nice.”
“I’m making breakfast before work. I texted Jan to take Robin to the vet for shots, parasite check, whatever cats need. Her friend’s lending her a carrier.”
I swallowed hard. I’d made progress with Janine at my exhibit, but I doubted she felt friendly after I’d broken up with her baby brother.
I kept my tone casual. “Janine’s coming over later?”
“She’s coming over now.”
“I have to go.”
I turned to flee when the shower head fell off. It thunked onto Sebastian’s head before clattering to the floor.
“Son of a bitch!” Sebastian cursed, rubbing his scalp.
Water sprayed everywhere.
Sebastian yelped and tried to shield himself.
Robin chose that moment to get curious. He launched himself from my arms into the spray, probably thinking this was a game.
But the second his paws touched the wet floor, he freaked out.
His fur puffed up like a dandelion. He hissed and leaped backward, all four paws flailing.
Sebastian, hair dripping, turned off the water. “What just happened?” He held up the detached shower head. “The damn thing broke.”
Laughing, I checked his head. “Are you okay? That hit pretty hard.”
I spread his wet hair to look. He winced, but the scalp wasn’t broken. I kissed the top of his head.
“I’m no doctor, but this looks fine. Let me know if you feel dizzy, okay?”
He reached for a towel. “I’m fine. Where’s Robin?”
“Probably under the bed.”
I was wet now too, so I stepped into the shower without removing my shirt. The shower head wasn’t broken, just loose. Maybe I was terrible, but I was happy to have something to do to repay Sebastian for everything, including his magnificent meals.
I stood on my tiptoes to check the shower arm. New York water had crusted the threads with sludge.
“I need toothpicks and Teflon tape,” I said.
“I have toothpicks, but Teflon? Isn’t that for pans? What the hell is Teflon tape?”
I chuckled. “I left some in the kitchen drawer after fixing the faucet. It’s thin, malleable tape that helps secure things that need to be screwed and stay wet.”
“Really?”
I caught the double entendre when I heard his drawling tone.
I glanced at him. “You’re a pervert, you know that?”
“I thought that was one of the things you loved about me.”
He gave me a smoldering once-over, lingering on my breasts and thighs, reminding me I was naked under the thin, wet, white fabric.
I swallowed. I must be the most depraved nymphomaniac in the world, because after two rounds of fantastic sex, my core still vibrated with lust. He’d wrapped a towel around his waist, but that didn’t make him less mouthwatering.
“I also love that you can cook,” I said, tugging at the hem. “What are you making?”
My question broke the spell. Sebastian dashed out the door. I followed into the kitchen just as he yanked open the oven.
“They haven’t burned.” He grabbed a mitt and pulled out the dish. “A personal favorite, Shakshuka.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a North African and Middle Eastern dish, where eggs are cooked in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce.”
“Oh, my. They look amazing.”
The second-best road to my heart—after fantastic sex—was through my stomach. I leaned over to see the incredible dish: sautéed onions, bell peppers, and four eggs nestled in homemade tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese, chives, and butter.
My mouth watered. Even Robin had smelled the feast and was hanging around the kitchen, whiskers twitching. He glanced at the counter, decided it was too high, and meticulously grabbed onto Sebastian’s bare leg, oblivious to those razor-sharp claws.
Sebastian picked him up and held him at arm’s length. “How do we train this beast before he shreds me?”
I laughed, toying with the kitten’s claws. “Maybe try wearing clothes?” I looked him up and down. “Never mind, I’ll train the cat.”
“We should probably keep him away from the aquarium.” He eyed Robin thoughtfully. “I don’t think Venus and the ladies would appreciate a furry predator staring at them all day.”
“Oh God, I didn’t even think about that.” I glanced toward the living room, where the fish tank sat peacefully. “We might need to get some kind of cover, or move it higher.”
“Or teach Robin that they’re friends, not food.”
“Good luck with that. He tried to eat a moth last night.”
Sebastian laughed and pulled me into a long, searing kiss. The kitten pushed us apart, squirming between us, annoyed at being flattened.
“I missed you,” I whispered. “Have I said that already?”
“I’ll never get tired of hearing it,” he murmured against my lips. “I missed you too. If I didn’t have to work…”
I groaned, rubbing my face. “I have to work too. I’ll go fix the shower head.”
“Thanks. I’ll plate the food and let it cool.”
“Keep the cat away from it.”
I grabbed the tape and toothpicks, leaving Sebastian scratching his head about how to fulfill my last request.
I cleaned the shower arm threads and inspected them. The arm was in decent shape once clean, so I wrapped Teflon tape over it, screwed on the head, and tested the flow. All good.
Wiping down the bathroom took longer. In my mind, I was racing the clock. I didn’t want to be here when Janine arrived. Maybe it was cowardly, but I wasn’t ready to face her yet. Sebastian and I had just made up. We were still sorting things out.
As much as Sebastian loved his sister, sometimes she felt like an overbearing presence in our relationship.
I thought about skipping breakfast, but dismissed the idea.
It would hurt Sebastian’s feelings, and I was starving.
I’d eat quickly, then leave. I couldn’t avoid Janine forever, but I needed to organize my thoughts before the inevitable inquisition.
She might be a defense attorney, but she was damn good at playing offense too.
Breakfast was divine. I forgot about eating quickly and savored every bite. Sebastian watched me feigning indifference, while his eyes betrayed his desire to please me.
I praised the food and his cooking skills. The eggs were the perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and sweet tomato flavor. Even Robin got a few bites.
“How can he still be hungry?” Sebastian took another bite. “I fed him this morning.”
I dipped bread in the egg yolk and gave it to Robin. He snatched it eagerly.
“He’s not hungry, he’s craving this. Can’t blame him.” I took another bite.
“Aren’t we supposed to be disciplining him? This shorty has us wrapped around his tiny paw.”
“Aww, look at him.” I was smitten. “How can you look into those eyes and say no?”
“I don’t know, but we need to learn.”
After eating, I rinsed the dishes and found Sebastian in the bedroom, dressed and fastening his jeans.
“Thanks for breakfast.” I picked up my keys. “I have to go now. Are you leaving too?”
“I’ll wait for Jan.” He pulled me into his arms for a long kiss. “Thanks for fixing the shower.”
“You’re welcome. It was simple really. You could’ve done it yourself.”
“We both know that’s not true, but thanks for protecting my fragile male ego.”
I scoffed. “Fragile, my ass. There ain’t nothing fragile about you, babe.”
We kissed again, until my knees softened.
“When will you be home tonight?” Sebastian nuzzled my ear.
“Not sure. Maybe seven or eight. I’m getting a late start. You?”
“A lot sooner. I’ll make us something good for dinner.”
“Sounds great. Want me to bring anything?”
“Just yourself.”
“Will do. Have a good day.”
I gave him one last kiss and rushed to the door. I hadn’t showered, so I was in a serious hurry. As I descended the steps, my mind repeated a desperate prayer: Please, don’t let me bump into Janine.
I was almost there when I heard the clacking of heels. I fumbled with my keys, knowing I’d never unlock my door in time. I was trapped in a horror movie, where the heroine gets so close to escaping, but never makes it. Neither did I.
Janine walked down the hall, her beige suit perfectly pressed, hair and makeup flawless. She carried a Gucci handbag in one hand, and a cat carrier in the other. She held my gaze as she stopped at the base of the staircase.
I forced a smile. “Janine, hi.”
“Hello, Jesse.”
Her cold, formal tone told me we were back to square one. I’d expected this, which explained my dread. Still, she was the most important person in Sebastian’s life. If I wanted to be part of his world, I had to get along with his big sister.
I cleared my throat. “It’s nice to see you.”
“I’m not sure I can say the same.”
My jaw dropped. She wasn’t pulling her punches.
I sucked in a breath. “Listen, Janine—”
“No, you listen. Sebastian has suffered a lot.” She stepped closer until we were face to face, inches apart.
In her heels, she was as tall as me. “I’m sure he’s told you about Lara, his almost fiancée.
That toxic relationship nearly ruined his future.
He could have ended up in prison. I was glad when she ended things, but the trauma changed him forever.
He closed up emotionally and became what could sometimes be mistaken as a heartless, shallow jerk. Until you showed up.”
She paused, waiting. I kept quiet.
“You changed him back somehow. He opened up to you in a way he hadn’t in decades. He told me you were the most honest, genuine, amazing woman he’d ever met. And yet you broke his heart.”
“He broke my trust, Janine.” I couldn’t stay quiet. “That night at the gallery, I thought he’d made a fool of me.”
“He did no such thing. He just wanted to help.”
“I know that now. But you, of all people, should understand how I felt when I heard your highly abridged version of Sebastian’s involvement.
It’s true, I should have asked him for the truth.
But he’d had weeks to tell me. Surely you can understand how I felt.
Aren’t you supposed to presume people are innocent until proven guilty?
Don’t I deserve the same consideration?”
A ghost of a smile softened her features.
I pressed on. “I never meant to hurt him. Everything was a huge misunderstanding.”
“He’s a wonderful man, and he deserves a woman who’ll offer him the same love and devotion. He doesn’t deserve to be hurt again.”
“I won’t hurt him. I promise. I swear to you.”
She watched me for several moments. “We’ll see.”
With that, she continued to the staircase and climbed the steps, leaving a hostile, drafty silence behind her.