Page 10 of Trusting Forever

Sebastian’s brow raised. “We’ve been friends forever. What is there to get used to?”

“As long as we’ve been friends, I’ve never stayed the night.” There was that one time when I fell asleep on the couch and woke up to my head in his lap. I’d gotten out of there as fast as I could and never stayed that late again.

It had felt too good and only solidified my crush.

His thigh muscles were hard, and the hand he’d rested in my hair sent tingles down my spine. He hadn’t woken up when I put on my shoes, grabbed my coat, and slipped out. I had no idea if he’d known about our compromising position. Neither one of us had ever brought it up.

Technically, it was innocent. He wasn’t spooning me or touching my breast, but it felt intimate. My body had been a live wire the rest of the day, and I couldn’t get the feel of his thigh muscle against my cheek out of my head.

Sebastian’s smile widened. “There was that one night when you fell asleep on the couch and ended up in my lap.”

“I didn’t think you remembered that,” I mumbled, my skin feeling too tight.

Sebastian flashed me a smile. “I remember everything about you.”

“Why are you bringing it up now?” My voice had a whiny tone to it that I wasn’t proud of.

Sebastian sobered, moving to stand next to me. He was blocking me from Ember in the living room. I was forced to look up at him, and his familiar evergreen scent wrapped around me. “I want you to feel comfortable here.”

My throat was dry, and I could barely form any words. The problem was, being this close to him was waking up everything inside of me that longed for more. I wasn’t sure I’d survive it. And the worst part was I had no way of knowing if he felt the same way. But the casual way he leaned a hip against the counter and leaned in close to me told me he didn’t feel the same. How could he be this close to me and be so relaxed? Whereas every muscle in my body was pulled taut.

“I need some water.”

Sebastian gazed down at me, assessing, then flashed me a wink as if he knew exactly what my problem was, and it wasn’t being thirsty for water. Then he pushed off the counter and went in search of a glass. He turned his back to me while he filled it with ice and water, then turned and placed it in front of me.

I guzzled it down, desperate for a way to cool my body down.

“Is that better?” he asked, his tone filled with amusement.

Irritation flowed through me that he didn’t feel the same draw I did. How could only one person sense chemistry? Maybe I was making it up in my head. I wanted so badly for there to be a connection between us that I was making it up. I was losing it. “I should look for apartments. I don’t want to crowd you.”

He sobered. “We have plenty of space, and it’s easier for you to help me out if you’re here. If money’s an issue, I can pay you. You are providing a service, after all.”

“You’re letting me live here rent-free so I can save up for an apartment. I don’t need anything else.”

“While you’re here, food, utilities, and anything you need are on me. You’re doing me a huge favor. I don’t trust just anyone with Ember.”

He trusted me, and while that felt good, I wanted him to feel the spark between us, to want me as badly as I wanted him. I wanted him to kiss me, to chase the fire simmering just under the surface. But I was the only one who felt it.

That realization sucked because it was hard to imagine how he didn’t feel the same. Yet, it was achingly sad because that was the truth. I blinked away the tears of frustration. I had to get through the next few weeks, and then after the holidays, I could look at apartments.

“Seriously, you’re welcome to stay for as long as you like. I like having you here.”

“It’s only been a day.” I’d moved my things in yesterday, and Sebastian had helped me put the few pieces of furniture I had into a barn on the property. It was the perfect solution to my problem—except for this pesky one-sided attraction.

If I was going to live here, I needed to get over it. And the best way to do that was to date other guys. It was more than obvious that Sebastian wasn’t interested. If he was, he would have made a move years ago. He wouldn’t be so relaxed in his kitchen while I was burning up inside.

Sebastian turned away from me to check the pancakes and then flip them. But all I could focus on was the way his pants hugged his ass and thighs.

I took the opportunity to place the glass of ice water against my forehead, hoping it would cool my imagination.

Sebastian turned around, and I slowly lowered the glass, hoping he hadn’t noticed. I was too young for hot flashes, and it was cold outside.

He tipped his head to the side, as if he were studying me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“It’s a little hot in here,” I croaked and then hopped off the stool to refill my glass.

Sebastian moved close so that his front was touching my back. He reached over and pushed the ice button because I was frozen in place. Then he chuckled and leaned down to whisper into my ear. “I wasn’t sure you knew how to get ice.”

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