I stare at him openmouthed. I can’t believe the audacity of this guy. But I can’t deny it… he’s got style.
“It’s to make you stay away from me!” I tell him, not without a little hope it’ll bruise his healthy ago.
“A contract’s not going to do that, Cadence. You know there’s something here between us. Words on a piece of paper aren’t going to make that miraculous feeling fade away.”
“No, but it might ensure that we don’t act on it.” I’m hardly even convincing myself at this point.
“Are you really that weak? Do you think that I am?”
“Do you agree to the terms or not, Sebastian?”
There’s a pause, and I wonder if I’ve pushed him too far. I don’t know this man, I don’t know his limits, I don’t even really know his motives. I want this deal. I just want it on my terms. Unfortunately, I think I’ve come to the wrong man for that.
“I will, if you answer the question.” He makes sure I’m looking at him before he repeats the question, “What asshole thing did your last partner do that has you running so scared?”
I know I have to give him some answer. But he hasn’t earned the right to the whole story yet.
“Everything you’re doing now. And more. Charmed me, chased me, then made me regret I ever laid eyes on him.”
“I won’t do that.” He shakes his head as emphasis.
“He said that too.”
“You want to put it in the contract?” He grins, finding the ridiculousness of it all.
“That we’re not going to pursue a personal relationship? Yes!” I throw my hands up, frustrated.
“No, that I won’t turn into a dick-knuckle.”
I can’t help but spit my drink out as I guffaw.
“What? I won’t!” He insists.
“That’s because… because… dick-knuckle is not a thing!” I can barely get out over my laughter.
“Fine, I won’t be a dick, asshole, sleazebag. Whatever boring word you want to use.”
“Yes, because…. it’s not going to come to that. I won’t let it. And … the deal’s off if it does.” I glare at him, and for a moment, our eyes battle for a win.
Then holding my gaze he walks up so close to me, I’m afraid he can hear my heart thump. He reaches around my back and pulls me into him. My face is almost buried in his chest so I tip my chin and rest it against his sternum, forcing my eyes to lock on his. I’ve spent so much time trying not to stare at him, it’s the first time I notice the swirl of brown through his bottomless jade green eyes. His eyelashes are ridiculously thick and lush and I bite my lip trying not to reach out and touch them with my fingertips.
He’s not smiling but his lips are slightly open and up close I can see how far the scar on his upper lip dips into his top lip. It’s quivering a little and I wonder what the point of all this is.
But I don’t have to wonder for long.
“Deal, but only if you let me kiss you. Just once.”
SEBASTIAN
If there was ever a moment I belonged in a straitjacket, it would be this moment right now.
What am I doing, giving her an ultimatum to kiss me?
I’m not sure what came over me, but I just couldn’t bear the thought that there might never be something between us. It’s not what I had planned when I’d gone to see her today, and definitely not what I had expected would happen if we spent ten weeks together. But she hadn’t given me a chance to explain about last night, and the only way I could think of to get her to spend more time with me, was through this deal.
So here we are.
And she is looking so goddamned fuckable I want to just press her against the window and have the whole of Sydney watch me make her mine. But she’s not having it. So fine, I will agree to her plan, but I’m going to make her remember this moment for the next ten weeks. I want it keeping her up at nights, like I know it’s already got me up.
Her body stiffens as I pull my face away from her, even as my arms come around to circle her waist and I nudge my hips against her.
“Just one kiss, Cadence. And I’ll agree to everything.” I whisper against her ear.
I can see a twitch in her jaw, and it’s driving me crazy not to drag my lips along it. Her skin is translucent and fine like a glass doll’s, and he body feels soft, warm, pliable in my hands. Like I could mould her into any shape I wanted, and play her like my own human cello. Oh god, the sounds I could make come from her… making her come.
“Sebastian,” she chokes softly on my name.
And I don’t give her a chance to continue.
I lower my mouth to hers, surprised to find her lips moist and open, inviting. Yes, show me you want this as much as I do, Cadence, the thought loops in my head. My hands travel down her back to her ass and pull her in hard against me. She moans a little, an escape of desire dislodging from the back of her throat and vibrating against my mouth. It sends my blood wild. My lips spread her lips open wider and my tongue slips into her mouth; her tongue is waiting and it flicks against the tip of mine. I can’t help but grind my hips against her and I know she can feel my hardness straining against my jeans and pressing into the softness of her stomach.
“Cadence.” I think I moan, and she touches my face in response.
Finally, we pull away, our breaths hissing through our teeth as we stare at each other over our panting.
I don’t know what’s stopping me from picking her up and taking her to my bedroom and making her emit that moan over and over again, but the sight of her lipstick slightly smudged over those full, luscious lips and her tits rising and falling, daring me to bury my face in their fleshy pillows, isn’t helping.