Page 82 of Sinful

“But…” I hesitated, frowning. “Didn’t you just get back from the city?”

“Yes.” He lifted a brow. “How did you know I was there?”

“I’m not sure. I suppose I must have been half-awake when you came in to leave that food for me before you went, and I must have heard you saying something about going there. For work.”

“Ah.” He nodded slowly. “Anyway, yes, I was there. Why do you ask?”

“You only just got back. It’s a very long way.”

“Five-and-a-half-hour drive, yeah. Six if I stop along the way for gas and coffee.”

My brows rose. “So if it’s nine now, then that means you must’ve left the city in the middle of the night,” I said, tilting my head. “Why didn’t you just stay there instead?”

Sebastian leaned forward. “I could have. But I decided to leave right after the work issue was resolved, which happened to be in the middle of the night,” he said. “I had to get back here as soon as possible because I knew you’d be hungry.”

“Oh. You didn’t sleep?”

“Nope. Drove straight back here. I don’t want you to starve.”

“I see,” I murmured.

He lifted one hand to tenderly stroke my cheek. “I care about you, Rose,” he said gruffly. “I know it doesn’t seem like it most of the time, but it’s true.”

“I know,” I whispered, even though I knew nothing of the sort. “I, um… I think… perhaps part of me cares about you too. That’s why I asked about the drive. Because you haven’t slept, you drove all night, and now you want to hike up to Alderwood in just a few hours. I don’t know how you’ll manage it.”

“I’ll be all right. I just need a gallon of coffee,” he said, smiling faintly. He leaned back again, eyes coasting over my body. “How’s your back feeling?”

“It feels fine now. You were right. The water is helping. Or maybe it’s the wine.”

He chuckled and looked at my empty glass. “Do you want some more?”

“Actually…” I gnawed at my bottom lip. “Could I try some of that coffee stuff you mentioned? I’ve heard of it, and I’ve always been curious.”

Sebastian’s brows shot up. “You don’t have any coffee in Alderwood at all?”

“No.”

He stood and leaned over to grab a towel. “Well, you’re in for a treat. Coffee is the fucking best.” He stepped out of the tub, wrapping the towel around his waist. “I’ll go and make it now. Be back soon.”

The second I heard his footsteps heading down the hall, I grabbed my own towel and quickly dried off. Then I padded over to my shirt and retrieved the keycard I’d hidden under it. The shirt had a pocket on the front, so I slipped the card into that before crumpling it back up on the floor. Now I wouldn’t have to worry about hiding the card in my hand while I dried and dressed later.

I slipped back into the bath just before Sebastian returned with two steaming cups. “I did yours with cream and sugar,” he said. “I take mine black, but you might not be ready for that.”

“It smells really good.” I wrinkled my nose. “But also really bad. I don’t know how that’s possible.”

He grinned. “That’s a pretty accurate descriptor of coffee.”

As we drank the coffee and ate the strawberries and cake, things felt strangely… normal. Like we were just friends or lovers sharing a meal and a nice conversation. I had to force myself to remember that Sebastian was a monster. That he’d probably kill me if he ever decided he no longer had any use for me.

That was exactly why I had to get rid of him first.

The bath grew cold twice, and both times, Sebastian drained the tub while we were still in it, refilling it with warm waterat the same time so we could continue to relax, eat, and talk. Occasionally, when he looked at my body a certain way, I was reminded of the nights we spent at the hot springs, and I felt a twinge in my core, followed by a desperate ache.

I had to be grateful to Sebastian forthat, at least. In the short time I’d known him, he’d shown me the greatest pleasure in the universe. It was just a shame that he’d also brought me so much pain and anguish.

After the water started to go cold for a third time, he sat up straight, lips pressed together in a thin line. He leaned over the edge of the tub to look at his phone. Then he sighed. “I have to go soon. We should get out.”

“Okay.” I lifted my hands to show him my fingers. “I’m very wrinkled now anyway.”

---