Page 53 of When We Ignite

are you in my room right now?

Apparently, that wasn’t clear enough. I raised my hand in front of the frame, snapped another photo, and hit send. No response.

About three minutes later, the door opened. Sebastian stepped in, looking surprised. “What are you doing here?”

I dropped my phone on the bed and stood up, swaying slightly but proud I didn’t fall over. “Waiting for you.”

He frowned, his expression unreadable as he stepped closer. “I was under the impression we were still in our last spat.”

“I found a way around that.”

“Oh?” His brow arched as he closed the distance between us. “You did?”

I didn’t answer—not with words, anyway. Instead, I grabbed his forearms and guided him sideways until his back was against the bed.

“What are you doing?” he asked, his voice softer now, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.

I licked my lips, suddenly hyperaware of how close we were. “I told you I found a way around it.”

Sebastian tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. He looked too good—too Sebastian. The arch of his brow, the way his lips parted just enough to breathe.

“Yeah? What is it?”

I could do this. I wanted him. I just had to show him. That’s what tequila was for—a little liquid courage. Ignoring the spinning and my heart pounding a million beats per second, I stepped closer, placing my hands on his shoulders. Pushing him back gently, he sat on the bed, leveling our heights.

I slid my arms around his neck, pulling myself as close as possible. His eyes widened, surprise flickering across his face, but he didn’t move. His hands found my back—not pushing, just holding.

“Ash,” I said, meeting his gaze. “Kiss me.”

His eyes softened, his hands tightening on my back. “Just like that?”

“Just like that,” I whispered.

Sebastian’s hands moved to my hair, pulling me closer. He kissed my cheek slowly, and I closed my eyes, shivering as his breath warmed my skin.

“I want you so fucking much,” he murmured against me, his voice vibrating through my chest.

His grip shifted, and before I knew it, he’d pushed me onto the bed beside him. His lips brushed my cheek, then my jaw, moving toward my mouth. I reached for his hair, trying to pull him closer, but he didn’t budge. Opening my eyes, I found him staring at me, a frown creasing his brow.

“Why did you stop?” I asked, breathless.

He leaned in, his lips a whisper away before pausing again. “You smell a lot like tequila.”

I blinked. “I drank.”

Sebastian pulled back slightly, his expression unreadable. “How much exactly?”

“Enough to make it easier,” I admitted, shrugging.

His thumb brushed my cheek, but his gaze darkened. “You’re drunk, aren’t you?”

“Just a little,” I said, my words slurring slightly. “I’m fine.”

Sebastian sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I should take you back to your room.”

“No!” I reached for him. “This was part of the plan. I was supposed to be drunk so I could go through with it.”

He seemed even less thrilled. “Ethan, you shouldn’t feel like you have to ‘go through’ something. You’re supposed to want this.”