Page 44 of Sacrifice

“They’re still testing different titles in focus groups,” Sebastian said. “So we aren’t sure yet, unfortunately.”

“Ah, I see.” Aimee peered at me again. “Now that I think about it, youdolook very familiar. Were you in that lawyer show? The one with Patrick Wilkins?”

I smiled nervously. “No, that wasn’t me. But I’ve been told I have a familiar sort of face.”

“Ah. Well, I’ll have to keep an eye out for this prairie show. I hope it does well for you,” she said, clasping her hands together. She leaned forward slightly and winked. “Also, if it really takes off, my friends will be super jealous to hear that I helped a famous actress with her wardrobe.”

I smiled, and this time I wasn’t so nervous. Even though this woman was barely more than a stranger to me, she was behaving in a bubbly and warm manner toward me, as if we were friends. It was worlds away from what I’d expected after all the terrible things I’d heard about outsiders over the years.

Then again, Sebastian was an outsider too, and he was wonderful. It seemed the outside world was really just a bigger version of Alderwood—filled with all sorts of people, some good and some bad.

Aimee determined my size by simply looking at me, and then she led me throughout the mazelike store, picking up various tops, pants, dresses, jackets, shoes, and undergarments. After that, she directed me to a changing room. “I’ll be right outside if you need help,” she said with a smile before pulling the curtain across with a swish.

Sebastian poked his head in a second later. “Do you feel safe with her on your own?” he asked in a low voice. “I need to grab a few things for myself. But I can wait and get then later if you’d rather have me stay.”

“It’s okay, you can go,” I said with a reassuring smile. “Aimee is very nice.”

He nodded, gave me a quick kiss, and left. I spent the next several minutes trying on the shoes and clothing Aimee had picked out for me. All of it was beautiful and fit like a dream, and when I looked at myself in the mirror, it felt like I was staring at a different person entirely. I looked like one ofthemnow. Anoutsider. I liked the way it looked, though, and I liked the way it made me feel. Like I could really live in this world. Really fit in.

I emerged from the dressing room and told Aimee I liked everything, including the final outfit I’d tried, which I was still wearing along with a pair of black shoes. She briefly glanced at Sebastian, who’d now returned with several bags of things for himself, and he nodded. “I’ll take it all,” he said with a confident grin. “My girl gets whatever she wants.”

Aimee winked at me. “Lucky you,” she murmured in my ear. “Super-sexy boyfriend,and he’s generous too.”

I smiled and nodded. She was right. Iwaslucky. Even though Sebastian was once my captor, he had quickly become my protector and savior once he realized his terrible mistake, and I couldn’t imagine finding anyone better. Not ever. I loved him and trusted him with my life… and as Aimee had just pointed out, his heart-melting looks were a nice bonus.

By the time we finished at the department store, it was midday, and my stomach was growling. Sebastian took me to a small food place that he referred to as the best greasy-spoon diner in the East Village—I was sure I’d know exactly what that meant one day—and judging by the delectable taste of the massive meat sandwich he ordered for me, itwasthe best.

With our hunger satisfied, we finally headed to the hotel Sebastian had booked earlier. After he handed over a fat stack of cash to the smug-looking receptionist, we received a keycard and directions to the top-floor suite.

Once again, I was mesmerized by the sheer grandeur of it all—the enormous staircase with its ornate wrought-iron railing, the stunning artwork hanging on the walls, and the soft hum of quiet conversation and laughter. For what felt like the thousandth time since my arrival in the city, I couldn't help but feel like I was walking right through a dream.

The suite Sebastian had booked was amazing too, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the city below. Every detail in the room, from the silky-soft bedding to the marble bathroom, seemed designed to enchant. There was so much wealth and elegance surrounding me that for a moment, I felt the old urge to pinch my arm to stop myself from feeling too overwhelmed.

“God, I’ve been waiting for this all fucking day,” Sebastian said huskily, wrapping his arms around me from behind as I peered into the bathroom again.

“A shower?” I said. “I need one too. I feel quite dirty.”

“I meant I’ve been waiting to be alone with you,” he murmured, pushing my hair over my shoulder so he could gently bite at my neck. “But I like the idea of you feeling dirty.”

I giggled softly and tipped my head to the side, granting him even more access to the right side of my neck. “In what way?”

“You know what way,” he growled, hot breath fanning against my skin. He drew back and slapped me on the ass, sending a jolt of pleasure through me. “Go on. Get in the shower, dirty girl.”

“You’re joining me, right?” I asked, turning my head over my shoulder as I turned on the hot tap.

“You don’t even need to ask,” he said, grinning wolfishly as he yanked off his shirt. He stepped closer as he unbuckled his belt and dropped his pants. “I’ve been thinking about fucking you ever since I saw you step out of that dressing room in those tight jeans. Your ass in them…fuck.”

I turned around to face the shower again, making a big show of bending over in my new jeans as I slowly pulled my socks off. Sebastian groaned and grabbed me from behind before spinning me around to face him. His lips grazed along my throat, and my every breath became a pant as he began to alternate between sucking at my neck and nipping at it with his teeth.

I felt hot arousal pooling between my thighs, and I frantically unzipped my jeans and shimmied out of them. Sebastian helped me remove the rest of my clothes, and then he pushed me into the shower and pressed me up against the wall, using one knee to roughly shove my legs apart as one hand moved to play with my breasts.

“Oh, yes…” I let out a needy sigh and tipped my head back, my nipples aching right along with the sensitive spot between my legs.

Sebastian pulled away from my chest, directing his attention to the space between my thighs. I didn’t even need to look down to know the insides were still coated and slick with arousal for him despite the hot water spraying over them. He cupped my pussy, thick fingers sliding along my wet skin, parting me easily. Flames of desire burned deep inside me, each touch a fiery ember to stoke the fire.

Without warning or mercy, Sebastian whipped me around to face the wall and roughly entered me, closing his fingers over my mouth to capture my half-strangled scream of surprise.

“So fucking tight,” he growled against my throat, sliding a hand around to rub at my clit again. He circled the tiny bud, swirling expertly across every nerve ending, as he withdrew and thrust back in, forcing another muffled cry from my mouth. “So perfect.”

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