Page 6 of The Cursed Sebastian Storm

James delved into his first-aid kit and pulled out some bandages. “I’ve never seen shades act like that.”

“Me either.” Sebastian wasn’t going to deny how worrying the behavior was. “They were way stronger than usual.”

James grunted in agreement, most of his attention fixed on covering the larger cuts on Sebastian’s wrist. After wiping the remaining blood away, James wrapped the wounds with gauze. “We can still get a doctor to take a look.”

Sebastian examined his bandage. “I think we’re good after that spell.”

James nodded reluctantly. “Okay, but fuck. You really didn’t need this on top of everything else.”

“It hasn’t been my best night. But we still got free today.” Sebastian refused to accept everything going wrong since leaving Storm House as a sign. It didn’t mean anything.

He was overwhelmed by the events of the last day. The transfer spell, the explosion, being crushed by shades, James almost draining himself to death. Too much had been packed into those twenty-four hours, and after all of it, his future yawned in front of him, blank and uncertain like the biggest horror of all.

He had no idea what would happen next or what he wanted to happen. He didn’t know if his anxiety in the diner would come back every time he was in a situation like that. He didn’t want to think about any of it.

“Yeah, we’re still free,” James agreed, though he didn’t look as happy about it as earlier. His posture was tense and worry lined his eyes.

Sebastian didn’t like to see James stressed, but he was glad he’d suffered the bite, not James, especially after how much James had risked fighting against the horde of shades at Storm House.

“Come here.” Sebastian pulled James close, knowing James was likely worrying as much as he was. They could be quite the pair.

James melted into Sebastian’s arms, cradling Sebastian around the waist. They might be plagued with fears, but they could still comfort each other. The promises they’d made at Storm House weren’t empty. Sebastian wanted to keep them and hoped James wouldn’t change his mind about wanting him so he’d get the chance to try.

“James?” Sebastian whispered.

James pulled him tight, kissing his cheek like he understood what was behind the plea. “I’ve got you, Sebastian.” James’s voice was tinged with desperation, almost like he was reminding himself things were all right.

Sebastian needed the reminder too. He needed James’s closeness while he could still have it. He tilted James’s face upward and kissed him.

James groaned, the sound raw. It fueled Sebastian’s need to connect with James and revel in the fact that this man liked him, wanted to protect him and build a future with him. Even if all that scared Sebastian and felt out of reach, he wanted to live in a world where it was all possible, even if that world only existed for as long as this kiss.

James pulled Sebastian into the bedroom and guided him to sit at the end of the bed. “Nothing else bad will happen to either of us. Not after beating this curse.” It wasn’t a promise James could make, but his adamant tone showed how much he cared about Sebastian. At least right now.

“No, I won’t let it,” Sebastian promised in return, determined not to let his problems cause James any more grief.

James stood between Sebastian’s legs and leaned in to kiss him. Sebastian accepted needily. He didn’t think he’d ever get over touching or being touched by James. After so long alone it was hard not to constantly wrap himself up in James. He needed affection more than ever, and he’d always been touch-starved. Only in these intimate moments did Sebastian let himself loose. He pulled James to him like he’d never let go and lost himself in feeling wanted and cared for by another person.

The two of them coming together was so much more than sex. Not that Sebastian would admit that aloud. He was terrified of James finding out how intense his reactions were. Having James’s naked body pressed against his was about more than getting off. More than finally having sex after six years of isolation. More even than finally getting to kiss the person he’d crushed on for most of his life. Touching had become primal. Being skin on skin created a life force of its own, and Sebastian thought he’d die without it.

He yanked James’s shirt up, needing to be closer.

“Careful.” James touched Sebastian’s wrist before taking his shirt the rest of the way off, followed by Sebastian’s.

Sebastian had forgotten his injury. He was already hard, squirming where he sat. His hunger for James would never be satisfied. Maybe that was down to the isolation or the fact that Sebastian’s sexual experience had been limited before his imprisonment, but sex with James was different from anything he’d had before.

Twenty had been too young to be cut off from the world. He’d only started coming into himself. His intimate experiences had been fumbling and exploring without a lot of thinking. That sex had been fun, but it should have been the beginning for him, not the sum of his experience.

This was so much more than fun. No one turned Sebastian on like James. He’d acted like seducing James was a game because part of him had needed to see it that way so the risk of rejection wouldn’t stop him in his tracks. But they were past that now, and James couldn’t seem to get enough of him either.

Sebastian pulled James onto the bed. “Please.” He could never help begging.

James’s reactions were worth it. Sometimes he got this look like he was in awe of Sebastian, like he thought Sebastian was special. He was doing it now, his fingers tangling in Sebastian’s curls like he was afraid to let go.

They kissed like two people who’d just survived the most traumatic event of their lives. Not the most recent shade attack. That was just a momentary scare. The curse was the real terror.

Sebastian managed to keep his injured arm out of the way, but only just. He wasn’t thinking about anything but touching the man in bed with him as much as possible.

“Please,” Sebastian begged again. He needed James closer. Needed to be consumed by him but couldn’t find the words to convey his exact desires.

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