Page 32 of When We Ignite

“I’ll call him, and you can listen in and tell me if I’m insane or not.”

She laughed again, shaking her head. “Ethan, I can’t tell you that.”

“Please,” I begged. “I can’t do it alone.”

With a resigned sigh, she nodded. I searched for Sebastian’s number, my fingers trembling lightly as I pressed the call button. Holding the phone between us, we waited as it rang, my stomach twisting itself into tighter and tighter knots.

“So, was it the gift that did it?” Sebastian’s voice came through, smooth and teasing.

Maya’s eyes widened as she clamped a hand over her mouth to stifle a squeal.

“I needed a little time. It’s not unreasonable,” I told him, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Is that what you needed? Just asking for the next time I overwhelm you.” His tone was dripping with playful arrogance.

“That’s what I needed.”

“But you liked the gift?”

I glanced at Maya. She was practically vibrating with excitement, leaning closer with a grin stretched across her face.

“Yeah, Sebastian, I liked the gift. It wasn’t necessary, but thank you.”

He clicked his tongue. “I can’t be on safe ground if you’re still calling me by my name. Tell me, darling, what exactly do I have to do to get you to warm up to me?”

Maya sank into the couch dramatically, pretending to swoon. I stifled a laugh as she mouthedSo hot.

“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.

“But you’re calling,” he pointed out, the smugness evident in his voice. “So, at the very least, you wanted to hear my voice.”

“I just thought it would be rude if I didn’t,” I said, which earned me a low chuckle.

Maya bit down on her knuckle, shaking with silent laughter.

“Are you going to let me see you?”

My stomach did an uncomfortable flip.

“I promise it’ll be out in the open. I won’t come closer if you don’t want me to.”

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at Maya for help. She nodded vigorously.

“I thought you were supposed to be discreet. How are you going to manage ‘out in the open’ and discreet at the same time?”

“Why don’t you let me worry about the logistics? You just need to tell me yes or no.”

I closed my eyes. “If I say no, are you actually going to back off?”

Maya elbowed me in the ribs, making me smother a laugh.

“Ethan, we both know you don’t want to say no.” His voice dipped into that dangerously attractive tone that made my chest tighten. “And you already know I’m dying to see you, so could you just put us both out of our misery and say yes?”

Maya started fanning herself, nodding like her life depended on it.

“Say yes,” he insisted, more commanding now.

“Fine,” I said, trying to sound annoyed.