Page 69 of Almost

Sebastian

I’M WOKEN UP by Thalia slipping out of my arms the next morning. She starts by pulling on my sweatshirt I brought in from my car last night, and a lazy smile forms on my face as I take in the sight of her. “Morning,” I say, pushing myself up onto my elbows. My cock immediately stirs because the only way to describe Thalia right now is she’s rocking the freshly fucked look, a lightness to her that I’ve missed.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up,” she says, but I don’t miss how her eyes trail greedily over my body partially hidden in the sheets.

Is she kidding? If anything, Thalia should have woken me up when she did. I haven’t slept that soundly in a long time. “No, it’s okay. I need to shower, and we should probably get going soon. We have a long drive ahead of us.”

“You should definitely shower; you smell,” she teases, smiling happily at me. I instantly relax because a part of me was worried that Thalia was going to freak out about last night.

I climb out of bed, and her cheeks grow red as she tries to keep her eyes trained on my face. “Well, if I smell, then sodo you. Pretty sure there’s a patch of drool on my chest from you sleeping on top of me.”

“You’ll have to wait until I’m done,” Thalia says, her breathing quickening as I step closer.

“I’ll wait, I promise.” Her bright eyes narrow as she considers the double meaning behind my words. I lean down to brush my lips over her cheek, unable to resist the temptation. “Go shower before I change my mind about us being just friends.” For now at least; Thalia and I are inevitable.

She creates space between us, moving backward toward the bathroom. “Your face is scratchy. You might want to think about shaving before you end up with a rat on your face like Owen did in college.”

“I thought it was a squirrel?”

“Both are furry rodents that don’t belong on your face. I’ve got shit to do at the gallery today, and we have a long drive ahead of us, so put that thing away so I can shower,” Thalia says, motioning toward my dick hanging freely.

I laugh heartily, crossing my arms over my chest.

She groans loudly, walking into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

After spending the last day with Thalia, I feel more like myself than I have in years. With her by my side, I feel as if I can do anything.

Chris was so right, and I was so fucking stupid.

I had no business trying to marry Kiera.

It was so abundantly clear, especially after Lia asked why people bother getting married in the first place. I’m fine without Kiera—sure, the first few days were hard, but the veil clouding my vision has been lifted.

Kiera’s not the perfect person I tried to make her out to be. I shouldn’t have had those expectations in the first place, but it was easy to be blinded by the good. I’m hurt by how my relationship with Kiera ended, as I do have love in my heart for her, but I think I spent more time trying to convince myself of that love than I spent feeling it.

I don’t want a perfect person, but I do think Thalia is perfect for me. She knows I need time, and I think we’re both on the same page of needing to get to know each other again. Last night proved that physical chemistry has never been a problem for us.

Fuck, the last thing I need to do is think about how incredible last night was.

I drag my hands over my face, trying to push the thoughts from my brain. It’s not any easier to forget how Thalia felt wrapped around me last night when it’s my turn to shower, despite turning the water as cold as it will go.

My goal for this car ride back is to keep my hands to myself.

What happens in the hotel, stays in the hotel.

It’s easier to think than it will be to implement.

I towel off, hating the idea of putting on my dirty clothes, but I don’t have a whole lot of options. I also hate the idea of going back to my life, but it’s also another thing I don’t have a choice in the matter of. Sitting on the vanity is a packaged toothbrush next to the one I’m assuming Thalia used, and I’ve never felt more relieved for something in my life.

I might be wearing dirty clothes, but at least I’ve washed my body and my mouth.

Thalia is finishing making the bed when I exit the bathroom, and I bite back a smile. It feels like we’ve traveledback in time. She glances up at me, tucking her hair behind her ears. “Both of our phones are dead. Do you have a charger in your car?”

“Yeah,” I answer, dreading the return of all my problems I won’t be able to escape when it turns back on.

Her cheeks are flaming red, and she glances away. “We’re okay, right? Things aren’t going to get weird because…” She trails off, motioning helplessly toward the bed.

“No, they’re not going to be weird, Lia,” I reassure her. “If I’m being honest, I was a little worried that you were going to freak out this morning.” I’m entirely fucking with her, but it’s so worth it to see Thalia’s jaw drop. I guess I haven’t entirely matured after all.

---