Page 10 of Sebastian's Secret

“That’s nice.” Her tone was sincere. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had worried about her. “It must be good to have a brother who cares.”

“Don’t you have siblings?”

“I do.” She couldn’t help her defensive tone. Tension collected in her body at even the thought of her brother. “But we don’t have the greatest relationship.”

“I’m sorry.” His brow rose. “I have three of them and even though they drive me mad, I couldn’t do without them.”

“It’s okay.” She shrugged. “We’re all different, I guess.”

“Listen.”

She heard the sudden strain in Sebastian’s voice.

“I want to say thank you for last night.” Lips twitching, his gaze devoured the swell of her breasts again. “It was wonderful. You were wonderful.”

“Well, you’re welcome.” Rebecca had never received gratitude from her casual partners before. Normally, they were gone long before she even stirred. “And thank you, as well. I had a great time and I appreciate how you respected me.”

“Respected you?” Brow furrowing, he threw her a confused stare. “Of course. A woman should always be respected.”

“Not all men are like you,” she admitted. “Some even have a problem when I suggest they wear a condom, but you were totally cool about it.” So cool in fact, that Sebastian provided his own stock.

“That’s insane,” he said, shaking his head. “Condoms protect us both.”

“I know that.” She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Yet they continue to be contentious.”

“Crazy.”

Lifting his cup to his lips, he peered at her over the rim. He seemed as if he was considering something important but didn’t want to let it show. Rebecca had been dealing with men’s moods for years, though, and she was a connoisseur of reading them.

“Is everything okay?” She had no right to ask but was glad she had. “Are you thinking about your brothers?”

“No, I…” his words trailed away, and his head fell. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought he was bashful, but that didn’t sound like the man who’d ravished her across that very room.

“What is it?” she pressed, placing her palm over his hand. “I know we don’t know each other—not really—but you can talk to me.”

“I know.” Suddenly, all of his attention was on her, those intense blue eyes piercing. “I remember how easy it was to talk to you before you fell asleep.”

“Oh.” Her toes curled at the memory she couldn’t recall. “Did I fall asleep on you?”

“It wasn’t a problem.” His laugh was hearty, settling her accelerating pulse. “It was almost four o’clock in the morning. I couldn’t blame you.”

“Okay.” Unexpected relief washed over her.

“I enjoyed it, though,” he confessed. “Talking to you.”

“Good.”

“No.” He inhaled. “Not good.”

“Not good?” Bewilderment echoed in her voice.

They’d both had a fantastic time. What wasn’t good about that?

“Not good because it makes me want to break my rule for you.”

“Your rule?” Rebecca chuckled at the idea. “What does that mean?”

“It’s complicated.” He sighed as if the weight of the world had abruptly landed on his shoulders. “But here’s the abridged version. For various reasons, I decided long ago that I wouldn’t get involved with anyone emotionally.”

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