Page 42 of Prognosis Temporary

‘This is nice,’ he murmured, settling against her as the water sluiced over his shoulders.

It was. Really nice. And it would be so easy in the aftermath of such mind-bending passion to let herself be swept up in believing that there was way more to this than two people having a good time.

But Callie’s was no ingénue.

They stayed for a while longer until she squirmed and he roused himself from the sweet line of her neck. ‘Sorry,’ he apologised.

‘It’s okay.’

‘I’m squashing you,’ he protested, pulling away.

He eased her down, her feet sliding to the tiles and, when

Callie’s legs buckled slightly, he held her tight, letting her lean into him for a moment. ‘I’m okay now,’ she whispered as her jellied legs regained strength.

Even though she wasn’t sure if she’d ever be okay again.

He let her go but grabbed her again as she swayed a few seconds later. He held her around the waist as he shut off the taps with his other hand then swept her up in his arms.

Callie laughed, hanging on around his neck. ‘I can walk, Sebastian.’

He kissed her nose. ‘I know.’

Carrying her into the bedroom, he laid her gently on the bed, joining her moments later, rolling her on her side and tucking her into him as he spooned her from behind. Callie was about to protest that they were both still dripping wet but it felt too good here like this, with his arm heavy around her waist and his breath warm on her neck and drifting off to sleep felt like the most natural thing in the world.

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Callie woke with astart. It was dark and something had yanked her from slumber. The warm, bony pillow beneath her cheek twitched, rocking her head a little, and she realised Sebastian was muttering to himself.

She didn’t know what time it was as she half sat, her bedroom coming into focus as her eyes adjusted to the darkness. The luminous figures on her bedside clock pronounced it just after midnight.

‘No!’

Callie startled at Sebastian’s unexpected outburst. He shook his head from side to side like he was fighting against something as he muttered, ‘No!’ again, but this time it was louder, more panicked, and he vaulted up in bed.

Callie’s heart leapt to her throat. ‘Sebastian?’ She laid her hand on his shoulder and he jumped, twisting to look at her with wild eyes that, for a moment, didn’t seem to recognise her.

She withdrew her hand, her heart fluttering wildly in her chest. ‘Sebastian?’

He seemed to sag then and the blank look of confusion lifted from his eyes. ‘Callie,’ he said on an exhalation. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.’

‘Hey,’ she murmured, opening her arms. She wasn’t sure if he’d accept her comfort but when he did, she gathered him close and whispered. ‘It’s fine. You’re fine.’

She didn’t know how long they sat there. Long enough for the tremble in his arms to settle and the mad pulsing of his heart against hers to return to its normal rhythm.

‘Is it your father?’

He shook his head. ‘No.’

‘Do you want to talk about it?’

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Sebastian roused himself, the shocking realism of the nightmare receding. Even more shocking was the realisation that he did want to talk about it.

And, if nothing else, he sure as hell owed her an explanation.

‘Actually...yeah.’

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