Page 83 of When We Ignite

“So? What do you think?” I asked when I couldn’t take the silence any longer.

Sebastian sighed, and I heard the rustle of fabric, the sharp jingle of keys.

“I’m heading to your apartment.”

A mix of triumph and nerves surged through me. “Then it’s a yes?”

“Just so we’re clear—this is over before the wedding? And you’re going to be fine with us being just friends afterward?”

“Yeah.” Unless I could change his mind.

“Then I’m game, darling. This stays between us.”

In the background, I heard a door close. “I’ll be there in fifteen. Use the time to mentally prepare yourself. I’m not holding back anymore,” he added before hanging up.

Shit.

I closed my eyes tightly, jumping off the bed and heading to the bathroom. Running the shower felt like the only thing that might keep me from overthinking everything. I showered, brushed my teeth, and changed, trying to look like I hadn’t tried so hard.

And then there was nothing left to do but wait.

Walking into the dark, quiet apartment, I paced back and forth, checking my phone to see how much time had passed. I finally called the doorman and asked him to let Sebastian through.

My phone chimed, and I nearly dropped it.

Ash Langley

on my way up

My face burned as I moved toward the door, opening it in anticipation. His footsteps echoed down the hall, and when I turned, there he was.

Sebastian stood on the other side of the threshold, looking nothing like I’d ever seen him before—not even in the Hamptons. Gone was his usual polished, elegant appearance. Instead, he wore a plain white cotton shirt and gray joggers. His hair was wilder than I’d ever seen it, waves disheveled in a way that reminded me of how he’d looked after our first kiss.

He said nothing, simply closed the door behind him. His eyes locked on mine as he walked toward me, a small smile tugging at his lips.

I forced myself to stand still, waiting.

He stopped just inches away. “Any regrets or second thoughts roaming around in that pretty head of yours?”

My lips curved into a smile. I shook my head.

His grin widened. “Good,” he said simply before tugging me toward him by the neck and kissing me.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ETHAN

It wasn’t frantic or rushed like the last time. Sebastian angled my head and kissed me slowly. Every movement was deliberate, his lips grazing mine with a tantalizing softness, the barest swipe of his tongue igniting a fire beneath my skin.

“Which one is your room?”

I pointed to the door on our right, too distracted to speak, before pulling him back toward me.

Sebastian didn’t break the kiss as he began guiding us toward the room. Once inside, his hands found the edge of my shirt, tugging it upward with purpose. He didn’t ask for permission or pause, a startling change from his usual careful demeanor. I raised my arms, letting him slide it over my head. As our lips parted momentarily, I caught the intensity in his gaze as he looked me over.

He kept moving, steering me until the edge of the bed pressed against the backs of my legs.

Sebastian stepped back, his lips curving into a smirk as his hands slid from my shoulders to my chest. He gave me a gentle shove, and I landed on the bed with a surprised “oomph.”