Page 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ETHAN

I t 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.”

“Move back,” he ordered.

I obeyed, keeping my eyes locked on his. His smirk deepened with satisfaction as he leaned forward, gripping the waistband of my sweatpants. He watched my face closely as he slid them off, the heat of his gaze making my breath hitch. His smile widened when I stayed silent.

Dropping the discarded fabric on the floor, Sebastian climbed onto the bed, his eyes roaming over me with an intensity that made my skin flush. His hand grazed my ribs before gliding over my chest, finally coming to rest lightly against my neck. He tilted my chin back, his hand warm and firm, his thumb coaxing my head to the side.

“So compliant,” he murmured.

I almost clenched my jaw, but I forced myself to stay relaxed under his touch.

“I told you I don’t want to tame you, Ethan. Come out and play.”

“Didn’t you want me to give you control?” I countered, trying to keep my voice steady.

Sebastian chuckled, his amusement glinting in his dark eyes. “Hello, darling. Nice of you to join in.”

My jaw tightened in response. “I don’t get it.”

“Don’t force yourself.” His hand left my neck, and he lay down beside me, his gaze tracing the length of my body. His fingers toyed with the edge of my boxers. “Do you usually wear these?”

I nodded, and he leaned closer, his lips brushing a trail along my jaw, then down to my neck. He kissed the hollow of my collarbone and the spot where my neck met my shoulder.

His hand ran down my leg, gripping just below the knee and pulling me toward him. “I suppose they do have their benefits,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.

“What?” I asked, distracted by the way his lips felt against me.

Sebastian’s hand slid up my leg, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric of my boxers. His hand covered my bare cheek and grasped. I gasped at the sudden touch, and he chuckled.

“Would you consider wearing something else for me next time?”

“Like what?”

“Briefs,” he replied easily.

I frowned, expecting something more scandalous. “They’re tight.”

“I’m aware,” he said with a sly grin before capturing my lips again. “Let’s get these off, shall we?” he asked, his hands teasing at the waistband of my boxers.

I hesitated, my eyes searching his. He smiled patiently, waiting. I could tell he was testing me, gauging my limits. I was starting to understand his game.

“Aren’t you going to take yours off?” I asked, trying to shift the dynamic.

Sebastian’s smile didn’t falter. “That’s not what you asked me here for,” he said smoothly. Damn it.

“So, are you going to fuck me with your clothes on?” I challenged, still aiming to catch him off guard.

He grinned, shaking his head. “I’m not going to fuck you tonight, darling,” he said, his voice a low promise. “But I am going to start warming you up to it. And for that, I need to get you naked. So, are they coming off?”

I bit my tongue and nodded slowly. Sebastian leaned in, his lips hovering just above mine, his breath teasing my skin. His hand returned to my waist, pulling me closer as he whispered, “Good boy.” He kissed me softly before pulling away.

“Hey,” I called, grabbing his wrist before he could retreat.

His dark eyes met mine, curious.

“I’m serious—can you take yours off too? Before you keep going?”

Sebastian’s shoulders sagged slightly, a gentle smile breaking across his face. Without a word, he stepped off the bed and pulled his shirt over his head in one fluid motion.

I’d been right—he was as impressive as I’d imagined. Toned and tanned, his skin stretched over lean muscle, his chest rising and falling steadily. My gaze followed his movements as he slipped out of his joggers, leaving him in fitted briefs.

“Better?” he asked, climbing back onto the bed.

I nodded, and he leaned in, tilting my chin up to kiss me again.

“Lie down on your stomach,” he whispered.

My breath caught.

His thumb brushed over my cheek. “This is where you start trusting me, darling. I won’t cross any line you don’t want me to. Just say the word, and I’ll stop,” he murmured, his lips pressing softly to mine.

I nodded again and shifted, lying on my front. My eyes closed as I took a deep breath.

Sebastian draped himself over me, his warmth enveloping me. I jumped slightly when he leaned down to kiss my neck.

“Relax,” he whispered.

He stretched out beside me, his body close but not quite leaning against mine. His hand began a slow exploration, gliding over my arm, then my shoulder, then tracing the curve of my back. His lips followed, leaving a trail of soft kisses along my neck and over my shoulders. He was coaxing me to relax again, and I let out a long sigh, willing the tension in my body to drain away.

Sebastian’s fingers found their way into my hair, and he let out a frustrated sound that made me chuckle.

“Get over it,” I teased.

“Please don’t do anything like that again without telling me,” he murmured against my neck.

“I’m not planning on getting a second haircut this week,” I replied lightly.

“Anything to your body,” he clarified, his tone firmer.

I grinned. “Now that I think about it, I was supposed to get a tattoo next week—a giant snake on my arm. What do you think about that?”

Sebastian didn’t laugh. Instead, he made me turn to face him, his expression serious. He shifted, positioning himself between my legs and pressing his body against mine. Grabbing my wrist, he pinned it to the bed beside my head.

“This is my deal-breaker, Ethan. Don’t do anything like that without telling me,” he repeated.

A mix of emotions surged through me—shame, arousal, and a flicker of defiance. Still, I nodded, and his grip on my wrist eased slightly.

“Is this you taking care of me?” I asked, my voice softer than I intended.

He nodded.

“It feels a lot like you are ordering me around,” I added, and his grip tightened again, sending my heartbeat into a frenzy.

“This is not ordering you around,” he growled.

I scowled at him, and Sebastian reached for my other wrist, pinning it to the bed as he knelt between my legs. His hands anchored me firmly, his strength undeniable, and his hips pressed closer, his weight bearing down just enough to feel overwhelming.

I felt trapped as he looked down at me, expecting me to yield.

Sebastian looked incredible—his broad, muscular shoulders flexed as he held me down, his hair falling messily over his forehead, his intense gaze burning through me.

I wished my reaction were anger, but my body betrayed me, heat pooling low as desire took over. I was so fucking hard.

“I won’t do it again,” I blurted, hoping the words would end this before he noticed the effect he had on me.

He released the pressure on my wrists but didn’t let go, his dark eyes flicking down briefly before returning to my face.

“Is this too much for you?” His voice softened, pulling me back to the moment.

I shook my head, and he leaned down to kiss me, slow and deep.

“Turn back around,” he instructed.

The moment his hands left my wrists, I obeyed, rolling onto my stomach and pressing my cheek against the cool sheets. Relief mixed with anticipation as his breath ghosted over my neck.

“I’m not going to break you, but I do need you to bend,” Sebastian said, his forearms braced on either side of my head. His breath was warm against my ear. “Do this for me while I can take you to bed, and I promise I’ll reward you for it.”

“I don’t want—” I began, but he cut me off.

“Trust me, you’ll want these rewards. I’m not talking about gifts, darling—those I’ll gladly give you for free,” he purred, the words a sinful promise against my skin. “I mean how many times I’ll make you come in one night.”

Sebastian pulled back, and his hands resumed their exploration, sliding down my back and over the curve of my waist. The bed creaked softly as he stepped off it to tug my boxers away, leaving me bare. My heart pounded as I lay there, exposed under his gaze, my face burning from a mix of vulnerability and undeniable arousal.

“You don’t have a clue what you do to me, do you?” His voice was soft, reverent. “Can I get you to turn around?”

I shook my head instantly.

Sebastian climbed back onto the bed, his hands skating over my ankles as his lips pressed warm kisses along the back of my thigh. I flinched but forced myself to stay still.

“You’re chiseled to perfection. I’ve never seen someone who looks like you—nothing even comes close,” he murmured.

I tried to let his words ease my nerves, wishing he’d just kiss me again so I could lose myself in the moment. His lips traveled to the small of my back, then my shoulder, and his hands roamed upward, gripping me firmly before sliding over my skin. He kissed my neck, his breath warm against my ear.

“You have me in the palm of your hand, Ethan. I can’t deny you anything you want,” he whispered. His words were a salve to my doubts, each one softening the tension in my body. “Let me give you everything you want.”

He kissed my neck again, his tongue flicking over the skin, before lying beside me, his hand tracing soothing patterns along my back.

“Look at me,” he said gently.

I turned my head, meeting his gaze. His eyes were dark, intense, and sincere. He tilted my chin up with his hand.

“I want to spoil you, my pet,” he purred, a teasing smile playing on his lips.

“You can’t start calling me that,” I muttered, though my protest was weak.

His smile widened, and he closed the distance, capturing my lips in another slow, intoxicating kiss. His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer. As his lips moved against mine, my resistance faltered entirely.

“Are you going to let me?” Sebastian asked, his voice low.

“Let you what?”

“Spoil you.”

I frowned, confused. “Are you going to explain what exactly you mean by that? Or am I just supposed to trust you?”

His smile softened, his eyes locking with mine. “I like you so fucking much,” he said, his voice raw with honesty.

I felt the tug at my heart, and for the first time, I let myself believe him.

Sebastian’s hand slid to my hip, his palm hot against my skin.

“That didn’t really answer my question,” I pressed.

He chuckled. “It means I want you to let me make you feel good. It means I want to touch you and watch you come undone,” he explained.

Heat rushed to my face, and I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet his gaze. “I thought you weren’t holding back.”

“I’m not,” he replied smoothly. “But I want you to be ready for this. Do you want me to touch you?”

I wished I wasn’t so clearly into this—wished I could disguise the way my body was responding. But it was only a matter of time before he noticed, and I wasn’t sure I could handle his inevitable smug reaction.

“Not as much as you want to touch me,” I quipped, clinging to the last scraps of my dignity.

Sebastian chuckled, his lips curving into a smile. “You have no idea.”

Before I could respond, he kissed me again, his lips claiming mine with a kind of hunger that left me breathless. I wasn’t expecting his hand to snake between us, brushing over me with a deliberate graze of his knuckles.

The kiss broke as he smiled, his face filled with something between amusement and astonishment. “And here I was thinking I’d have to get you into this,” he murmured, his eyes half-lidded as they met mine. “You couldn’t be more fucking perfect if you tried.”

Before I could form a coherent thought, he kissed me again, his hand closing over my shaft. His touch was firm but exploratory, mapping me out like he wanted to memorize every detail. The pressure was maddeningly soft at first, and I found myself keeping my hips still against my will. Then he tightened his grip, running his thumb over the head, and I bit my tongue to stifle the sound threatening to escape.

He stroked me with confidence, his movements skilled, and I started losing focus on everything except the feel of his hand. I was used to tentative touches or overeager ones—neither giving me the same kind of pleasure I could bring myself. Sebastian’s touch was entirely different. In a few strokes, he was already putting my own efforts to shame.

“Why aren’t you letting me hear you?” he whispered, his voice gentle but insistent.

I closed my eyes tightly, frustrated by how quickly he’d picked up on my restraint. Just as I was about to offer some sarcastic retort, he adjusted his pace, hitting just the right rhythm, and a moan slipped past my lips before I could stop it.

“Much better,” he murmured, his tongue grazing my lips before he pulled back slightly.

I bit down on my lip, trying to regain control, but he reached up, his fingers brushing my chin to make me look at him.

“Stop doing that,” he said, a crease forming between his brows.

“I have a roommate,” I argued weakly.

Sebastian shook his head. “I’m not asking you to scream, but don’t push it all down. I want to hear you—I need to,” he said, punctuating the demand with a soft kiss. His hand resumed its movements, and I gasped, pressing my forehead to his.

“Like that,” he murmured approvingly, his voice a low rumble as he kissed me again.

Then he tried to shift me onto my back, but I resisted.

“Don’t,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Sebastian paused, his hand stilling as he studied me. “What are you embarrassed about?” he asked, his tone gentle but curious. “Do you think I’m kidding when I tell you how good you look?”

I shook my head, my eyes darting away from his. “I’m just…” I began, but the words stuck in my throat. I hesitated, then glanced down between us, my face burning, before looking back at him.

Understanding flickered in his eyes, and he chuckled softly.

“I knew you were going to laugh,” I mumbled, trying to hide my face in the pillow.

“It’s absurd that you’re embarrassed about being hard,” he said, his voice warm with reassurance. “I want you to feel good—remember?”

I hummed in acknowledgment, still too mortified to respond.

“And do you honestly think I’m immune to you?” he continued. “Do you think I can lie here, touching you, kissing you, hearing you, and not be hard as a rock?”

I glanced at him skeptically, but Sebastian chuckled again, grabbing my hand and guiding it between us. My knuckles brushed over him, still restrained by his briefs, but there was no mistaking the evidence of his arousal.

“See? This is what you do to me,” he said softly. “You have nothing to be embarrassed of. So, will you let me face you now?”

He let go of my hand, pressing more kisses to my lips as he waited for my answer.

I closed my eyes and nodded.

Sebastian smiled against my lips and resumed his touch, stroking me firmly as he settled between my legs. His lips moved to my jaw, then to my neck, his hand never faltering. The new angle heightened everything, and a moan escaped before I could stop it.

I slapped a hand over my mouth, my face burning with embarrassment. Sebastian froze for a moment before gently pulling my hand away.

“Ethan,” he said, his tone serious. I met his gaze, his dark eyes holding mine. “Your roommate isn’t going to hear you—it’s three in the morning. Now stop that.”

“It’s not about my roommate,” I said quickly. “I’m just not normally loud.”

“Maybe you weren’t,” he said, his expression softening before breaking into a grin. “But you’ll be loud with me—trust me.”

“You’re too full of yourself,” I whispered, biting back a smile as his hand tightened its grip again, sending a wave of pleasure crashing through me.

“You should be happy about that,” he teased. “Would you prefer if I were a lousy lay? That we’d go through all this trouble only to be disappointed when push came to shove?”

I couldn’t help but smile, gasping as his strokes became more purposeful.

“Fine. Fuck. You’re right,” I said breathlessly, letting myself sink into the moment, no longer caring if he heard me.

“I never thought I’d hear those words coming from your lips. Might be better than your moans,” Sebastian teased.

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. “Fuck off.” There was no heat behind my words.

“So, here’s the deal, darling,” he said, and I looked up at him again. A slight smile played on his lips, but his eyes were serious. “I’d love to take my time with you, go at your pace—but since we have an expiration date, I’m going to have to push your boundaries a little.”

I swallowed hard, his words settling over me like a challenge. His hand still moved over me, drawing another moan from my lips.

“If you’re really uncomfortable at any point, I need you to tell me to stop. Otherwise, I’m going to keep going,” he added.

I nodded quickly, unable to form a coherent response without another sound escaping.

“Good,” he murmured. “Now, let’s start by getting rid of the shyness, shall we?”

Before I could ask what he meant, Sebastian shifted back, sitting on his heels and leaving me completely exposed.

“Shit,” I breathed, squeezing my eyes shut.

“Ethan,” he called softly, coaxing my attention back to him. “I need you to look at me, darling. Don’t close your eyes.”

I nodded again, forcing myself to meet his gaze. His eyes flickered down, darkening as they roamed over me. His hand caressed my thigh, the touch light but grounding, while he ran his tongue over his lips.

“You should be the most arrogant person in the world, you know? How are you this shy looking the way you do?” he asked, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Looks aren’t everything,” I replied automatically, my voice quieter than I intended.

His eyes met mine again, an emotion overtaking them. Understanding or curiosity, I wasn’t sure which.

“If you don’t believe me, think about this: You, Ethan Bennett, are the fucking crown jewel of my collection. I’ve lived, traveled, and fucked all around the world, and no one—absolutely no one—comes close to you right at this moment.” His voice was steady, but the sincerity in his tone sent my heart racing.

“I’m not your toy, Sebastian,” I reminded him, trying to inject some firmness into my voice.

“You’re not,” he agreed easily. “That only makes you so much better.” His eyes flicked down again, drinking me in as if I were something sacred.

His hand released me, and I groaned involuntarily. He chuckled, leaning back to grab something from his discarded sweats. When he returned to the bed, I noticed the lube in his hand, and my eyes widened.

“What are?—”

“I told you, we’re not having sex tonight,” he cut in smoothly. “This is just to warm you up.”

“But what exactly?—”

“What I’m going to do,” he interrupted, “is check that first orgasm off our list. Are you ready for that?”

I couldn’t find the words, my chest tightening as I struggled to respond. A noncommittal noise escaped me instead, making him chuckle softly.

“Just trust me, darling. I promise you’re going to like it,” he said, lowering himself over me and kissing me slowly. His hand wrapped around me again, and I moaned into his mouth, my resolve crumbling.

“Fuck, that’s it,” he whispered against my lips, stroking faster and drawing another sound from me. He groaned softly, his lips trailing to my neck.

His kisses were soft, lingering at my collarbone before leaving a trail down my body. He paused at my hips, glancing up to make sure I was still watching. When he saw my wide-eyed stare, he smiled, leaning down to kiss the inside of my thigh.

“Ash, could you just kiss me again?” I asked, my voice wavering with nervousness.

“No, darling. We’re moving forward,” he said firmly, setting the boundary with no room for argument.

I opened my mouth to object, but before I could, his tongue ran along the underside of my cock.

“Fuck,” I whimpered, my body jolting at the sensation.

He smiled, his tongue flicking out again, this time over the head, before he took me past his lips.

“Fuck,” I repeated, my breath hitching. My hands instinctively found their way into his hair, gripping tightly as he bobbed his head, sucking with a skill that made it impossible to stay quiet.

Sebastian was predictably incredible at this—confident, deliberate, and maddeningly skilled. Every movement was calculated, turning me into a quivering mess in seconds. My focus blurred, the only clear thought in my mind a desperate hope to last longer.

“Ash,” I gasped, tugging at his hair.

He released me with a soft pop, glancing up with a grin that made my stomach flip.

“What is it, darling?” he asked, his hand stroking me slowly.

“Can you slow down?” I managed, my voice shaky.

“Is it feeling a little too good?” he teased, his grin widening when I nodded. “Sure, sweetheart,” he murmured, taking me into his mouth again, this time as far as he could manage. The sensation drew a strangled sound from me, and I bent my knees, throwing my head back against the bed.

“Did you jerk off today?”

I blinked, wide-eyed. “What?”

“There’s a point to the question, I promise,” he assured me, his hand moving at an almost lazy pace.

“Yeah,” I admitted reluctantly.

“When?” he pressed.

“The shower,” I said, swallowing hard.

“The one you took this morning or the one you just took?”

“Before lunch,” I answered honestly, my face heating under his amused gaze.

“Really? Were you that worked up about seeing me again? Did you think about me while you did it?” His grin stretched wider as he picked up the pace again.

“Fucking creep,” I muttered, nudging him with my leg.

He laughed, licking me once more, making me shudder. “I need you to give me a little time, darling. Try to hold off until I tell you to come. If you can’t, it’s fine. We’ll just start over.”

Sebastian reached for the lube, shifting it out of my sight. His mouth resumed its work, and my head pressed back against the mattress, my thoughts dissolving in the pleasure he was giving me. I nearly forgot about it entirely—until I felt his hand graze lower over my balls.

“Ash,” I said, my voice uneven.

He shook his head, taking me deeper. A loud moan tore from my throat, and I lost myself for a moment before his fingers moved lower. They were probing, pressing between my cheeks—cold and slick—and I flinched instinctively. He didn’t stop; instead, he applied firmer pressure. My hands twisted in his hair as I felt the pad of his finger touch the furrowed skin.

“Ash,” I tried again, but he silenced me by taking me to the back of his throat. A wave of pleasure crashed over me, pulling my head back as I gasped.

He stopped. “Just relax, darling. Please do that for me, okay?”

I nodded, trying to focus on the rhythm of his hand stroking me and the hot breath brushing against me before his mouth engulfed me again. The pressure of his finger increased, and when I tried to concentrate on it again, I realized it had already slipped past.

The sensation wasn’t painful—just strange, foreign. I focused on relaxing against the bed, my grip on his hair loosening as I gave in to the new feeling. He pressed further, and while it wasn’t something I was used to, it wasn’t bad. Then he curled his finger upward, and that changed everything.

My thighs tightened instinctively, trapping him between them as I gasped sharply. A low, appreciative groan rumbled against me, vibrating like electricity up my spine. My legs trembled, and when he repeated the motion—curving his finger as he almost pulled out—another gasp escaped me.

He set a rhythm, each upward curve sending a jolt through my body, raw and intense. My breaths hitched and transformed into a series of uncontrollable moans, my hands tangling in his hair as I tried to hold on to something, anything.

It was too much—overwhelming—but then, somehow, his mouth, his hand, his movements all fell perfectly in sync. My eyes rolled back, and I gave in completely, chasing the pleasure with abandon.

“Ah, fuck,” I gasped as he applied even more pressure, speeding up his movements. My throat felt raw as raspy, pleading moans spilled out without restraint.

Sebastian didn’t relent. Occasionally, he’d lift his mouth just to stroke me in long motions before starting over. His finger remained steady, pressing into that maddening spot, and it was impossible to do anything but surrender. Somewhere in the haze, I knew I should feel embarrassed, but the thought barely flickered before dissolving into the sensation.

“Ash,” I tried again, my voice trembling. It came out more as a plea than a warning.

He responded by taking me deeper and swallowing around my cock. My fingers tightened in his hair, and his touch felt like pure electricity. My body coiled tighter, the release looming closer, unstoppable.

“Fuck,” I gasped as my body tensed and unraveled all at once. My legs tightened around him, not pushing him away but holding him in place as I came with a force that left me breathless. I felt every pulse, still throbbing in his hand, his mouth. Apologies swirled in the back of my mind, but I couldn’t summon the energy to voice them. Instead, I collapsed back onto the bed, my ironclad grip on his hair finally relaxing.

Sebastian pulled away, and I turned onto my side, eyes closed tightly as the aftershocks rippled through me. “Fuck,” I muttered again, heat rising to my face. There was ringing in my ears. My whole body was still buzzing with the force of the release as I tried to even my breathing.

From the corner of my eye, I saw him walk to the sink, rinsing his mouth and washing his hands. My embarrassment flared, and I groaned, covering my face with my hand.

The bed dipped under his weight as he returned, his hands trailing over my ribs, his lips brushing my shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I mumbled.

“Why are you sorry?” His voice was low, rumbling against my skin as his lips moved to my neck.

“I couldn’t stop it.”

He chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to my neck. His hand cupped my face, pulling me toward him, and his lips captured mine. I melted into the kiss, my fingers finding their way back into his hair.

“Don’t be sorry about that,” he murmured against my lips, then kissed me again.

“You told me not to and?—”

“As soon as you started losing yourself—letting me hear those mind-blowing sounds—I stopped caring too. I just wanted to make you come.”

A knot loosened in my chest at his words. “You’re not mad?”

Sebastian smiled, shaking his head. “I’m not mad,” he assured me, deepening the kiss. His hand slid into my hair, and he groaned in disappointment, making me laugh.

“Stop being such a baby about it,” I teased.

Sebastian climbed over me, settling between my legs. His lips trailed along my neck, and I blinked up at the ceiling. He was still hard. I had no idea what I was supposed to do in this situation.

“Why are you tensing up again?” he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

I closed my eyes, frustrated. “You’re still…”

He laughed softly, the sound vibrating against my skin. “Yes, I am,” he confirmed, his lips finding their way to my jaw, then back to my lips.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do about that,” I admitted, watching his smile grow.

“Nothing, darling,” he said, then paused, his expression turning thoughtful. “Although, now that I think about it, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to push you a little here too.”

“What does that mean?”

Without answering, Sebastian grabbed my hand, guiding it between us and placing it over the hard length of him, still confined by his briefs. My eyes widened as my palm rested against him. He pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

“You need to stop being scared of it. It’s just a dick,” he said, his voice teasing but patient. He urged me to close my hand around him. “See? Just like yours.”

His tongue traced my lips, and I couldn’t help but notice how devastatingly handsome he looked, his hair falling over his forehead. I swallowed, tightening my hand around him as he smiled.

“Just like yours,” he repeated before adding with a wicked grin, “only bigger.”

My face burned. “You’re an asshole,” I muttered.

Sebastian laughed loudly, his amusement filling the room. I tried to pull my hand away, but he held it in place, his lips brushing against the side of my mouth.

“Shh,” I said, half-scolding, but he just kissed me softly, his laughter still lingering.

It would be a miracle if Maya didn’t wake up.

“I’m just teasing you, darling,” Sebastian said, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “You don’t have to do anything. This is fine for now.”

I met his gaze and, feeling particularly bold, dragged my hand over him, feeling his length grow harder beneath my touch. He smiled but didn’t react otherwise, his expression calm, controlled. I grasped him more firmly, stroking him experimentally.

“Are you feeling daring?” he asked, tilting his head.

“I’m just trying to return the favor.”

Sebastian chuckled, slipping his hand into his briefs and gently removing mine. “You don’t have to return anything. When you want to, you’re welcome to, but for now, just get used to the idea,” he said, punctuating his words with a quick kiss before rolling off me.

He sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for his clothes.

“Are you leaving?” The question escaped before I could stop myself.

He glanced back, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. “I was planning on it. Right now, I just wanted a smoke. Can I have one here?” He held up a cigarette for emphasis.

“Sure, just do it over there.”

Sebastian lit the cigarette and leaned against the window. The soft light from the street below cast a warm glow over his skin, highlighting the lean, sculpted lines of his body.

I sat up, glancing around for my boxers.

“Don’t get dressed yet. Wait until after I’m gone,” he said with a small smile. His words made me uncomfortable, but I nodded, pulling the covers up and leaning back against the headboard. Sebastian chuckled softly before turning back to the window.

“You don’t have to,” I said quietly.

“Don’t have to what?”

“Leave.” The word came out softer than I intended, almost timid.

Sebastian didn’t answer immediately. He finished his cigarette in silence, crushing the butt against the window ledge. When he returned to the bed, he sat beside me, his dark eyes locking onto mine. His fingers found my chin, tilting it gently.

“You said you were okay with this being just about sex. Did you lie to me?” His tone was calm, but the question hit hard.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. “It’s not a big deal. You can leave if you want to.”

“But you want me to stay.” His voice was steady, probing.

I nodded reluctantly.

“Are you sure you’re up for this, Ethan?”

My chest tightened, but I pushed through it. “I told you I was.”

“But you want me to stay, and I’m guessing you still don’t want me to fuck around. What else are you expecting of me?”

“The only thing I’m expecting is for things to go back to how they were,” I said firmly.

Sebastian hummed in response, studying me for a moment before climbing back onto the bed. My heart skipped at the gesture.

“I have to leave by six,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Why don’t you come back to my apartment?”

“I have brunch with my dad and Char,” I said. “Are you leaving again?”

Sebastian lay back, his hands laced over his chest as he stared at the ceiling. “On Monday. I have to fly to Singapore.”

I blinked, trying to keep my tone casual. “When are you coming back?”

“I’m not sure,” he muttered, arching an eyebrow. “I’ll be there for three days, but then I have to go back to Madrid. I know there’s a meeting in San Francisco, but I’m not sure I’ll make it back here before flying out again.”

“Why aren’t you sure?”

“I can’t keep all that straight. Ari takes care of it,” he said.

“Your assistant.”

“She keeps my life organized. Comes with me on most trips.”

I felt a pang of jealousy, irrational but sharp.

“I have a week-long trip to Barcelona coming up,” he added.

I forced myself not to pout.

Sebastian turned on his side, curving his hand around my waist and brushing his nose against my cheek before kissing my jaw lightly. “I’m not sure when, but if you’re free, you should come with me.”

My jaw slackened in surprise. “What? We’re meant to keep this a secret. How do you figure we could leave the country together and keep it under wraps?”

Sebastian shrugged, his lips trailing slow kisses along my neck. He slipped under the covers, pulling them up to his waist. “Say you’re going with a friend. We fly privately, book the hotel under another name, wear wigs.”

I chuckled at the last bit. “That sounds extreme.”

“One week of having you trapped in my bed sounds worth it,” he murmured, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“Turn around,” he said softly.

I shifted onto my side as he snuggled close behind me, sliding an arm under my head and wrapping the other around my chest.

“I never would have taken you for a cuddler,” I teased, feeling his warm exhale against the nape of my neck.

“I’m not,” he whispered, his voice low and rich, “but you’re naked, and I like having you against me.”

A small smile crept onto my lips as his scent enveloped me—rich, woody cologne mingled with faint traces of cigarettes and whiskey, but most of all, him.

His breathing evened out behind me, and I fought sleep, wanting to savor this moment before he left again.