Page 51 of When We Ignite

His lips brushed against my skin as my heart pounded. “That’s exactly right. Now, just ask me to kiss you.”

Nerves shot through me, and I tensed, trying to push him back. “Ash,” I repeated.

His hand moved to my waist, holding me gently but insistently. “Or do you want me to touch you again? Warm you up to it first?”

Panic began to swell in my chest. I wanted to ask him to stop but didn’t want to upset him again.

“Come on, darling. Tell me what you want,” he coaxed.

I pressed my lips together, turning my face away.

Sebastian pulled me back by my shoulders, causing me to fall onto the bed. Fuck.

He slipped his hand under my shirt, running it up my back, breathing against my neck. He wasn’t on top of me, but he was one move away from it. My body overheated in a matter of seconds, and I could feel it pooling in my groin. As I grew harder than fucking steel, my embarrassment skyrocketed. I couldn’t handle it.

Pushing against his shoulders, I tried to create some space between us. “Sebastian, stop. I don’t want to do this. Let’s go outside.”

He froze, his breath catching. Exhaling heavily, he pulled back, standing and pacing a few steps away, his hands on his hips.

I sat up, running my hands through my hair, frustration and embarrassment burning through me. I cussed under my breath, willing my erection to die down.

Sebastian turned, his expression unreadable. “Maybe you should leave, Ethan.”

I stopped cold. I shook my head. “I just need more time.”

He laughed without humor. “It’s not about time. You keep changing your mind.”

“I’m not. It’s just a lot and…” I tried to explain.

“I know it is, and maybe you can’t handle it—not now, at least.” He looked away again.

A flicker of annoyance went through me. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Maybe you’re too young for this, and I’m not blaming you. This is my fault. I should have listened.”

My heart sank. “You knew all along, Sebastian. It’s not like you just found out how old I am,” I pointed out.

“Yes, I know, but I thought it didn’t matter. But all these things—it’s because of that, and you can’t decide,” he said, the crease between his brows deepening.

“What things?”

Sebastian’s eyes widened, as if he couldn’t believe I was asking. “You say you want to see me, then you want to pretend we don’t know each other. You agree to see me again, then you don’t want me near you. You wear the bracelet, then tell me you want out. You call me in the middle of the night to say you like me, let me get close, and now you’re telling me to stop again. You can’t make up your mind, Ethan,” he said in a rush.

My cheeks burned. “I told you I wasn’t easygoing!” I snapped.

“Yeah, no kidding,” he shot back. “This is the third time we’ve fought in two weeks. What the fuck even is that?”

“We’re not fighting.”

“No? What the hell do you call this?”

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you, Sebastian,” I said, standing abruptly.“I’m sorry I don’t live up to your expectations. Maybe the next time you decide to fuck with someone’s head, you’ll get to know them first—to see if it’s actually worth it.”

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. “I didn’t say you weren’t worth it,” he muttered, but I was already walking out the door. I shut it behind me with a snap.

* * *

The rest of the boat ride was a complete nightmare.