Page 76 of Sebastian.

I watch, amused, as he pulls the comforter off and struggles to fold it small enough to fit back in the chest. Once he gets it sort of folded and put away, he starts trying to put the sheet on, but the bed is just too wide for him to do it alone. I don't offer to help, though—just continue watching with my grin getting wider and wider.

“Seb,” I say finally before I burst out laughing. “Can't you just get Claudia or Edward to do this?”

He blows out a frustrated breath. “They are all already asleep. It's almost midnight. I’m not going to bother them over something so silly.”

“Fine,” I hobble over, the room tilting only slightly, to help him with the sheet. He's not as tipsy as I am, but he's been drinking too, and after a long effort, we get the sheet on together.

Once it's on, Seb steps back to look at our handiwork. “Are you sure this is okay for you? I can sleep here, and you can stay in the main bedroom.”

I shake my head, hair flying, “No, no. This is good for me.”

“Okay, well…” Seb doesn't know quite what to do with himself, but he clearly doesn't want to leave me yet, either. He paces around the room, opening the wardrobe. “You have fresh towels here...and some toiletries, too. Do you, ah...want to get something from our bedroom to wear to bed?”

One side of my mouth quirks up, and I look at him from under my lashes. “I will sleep naked, I think.”

His eyes go wide for a second, and then his lids lower and he looks at me intently as he reaches out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, a smile forming on his lips. “You are so cute when you drink.”

There are a million thoughts going through my head, a million things I want to do, but I just smile in return instead. Sebastian sighs, and leans in, quickly kissing my forehead and murmuring. “Goodnight, Julia.”

I'm left swaying on my feet again when he releases me to head towards the door, but I grab his wrist to stop him. “Wait.”

This time it's Sebastian that stumbles as I pull him in, pecking him on the lips, chaste but meaningfully. When he doesn't complain, I hold the kiss, letting my arms go around his neck as I do. It reminds me of something....I search my mind for the memory, and it hits me like a truck, all at once—our very first kiss on the canals, back when we were still so young, and it makes my heart ache.

Finally, my husband groans and pulls away. “I've got to go, Julia.”

But I don't release him, kissing him again, just the same. “I miss you.”

He puts his hands on my shoulders and breaks the kiss again, but doesn't actually push me away. “That's the alcohol talking, and you know it.”

Now I chuckle, pressing my forehead to his. “No, I really do miss you.” It's so easy to kiss him again like this, so I do. “Your smell, the touch of your lips, the way you kiss me, hold me….” Again I press my lips to his, exhaling as I do. It's like I'm helpless to keep repeating the same motion...over and over....

“Jules,” he groans, his lips moving against mine. “I don't want us to do something you might regret tomorrow.”

I already know what he means, but I tease, “Like what?”

In that instant, Sebastian slams his mouth against mine, initiating a kiss that is so much deeper and more intense than I have dared so far. My thoughts clear in a snap, and everything in me focuses in on one single thing—needing Sebastian.

I dig my hands into his hair as he rests his on my hips, holding me so close that we're body to body. I'm not thinking of tomorrow, or the fact that I should stop. Instead, all I can think about is the sensation of his lips against mine and the feel of his hot tongue.

Our breathing is rough and loud when the kiss breaks, and Sebastian is staring down at me with lust blown eyes. “Fuck, I want you.”

“You have me,” I tell him, pulling the door shut and leaving us in the dark. Sebastian's familiar, beloved face is illuminated only by the moonlight coming in through the open windows.

He presses his body against mine and kisses me again, making me moan as he grinds against me. My husband walks us backwards towards the bed, and we fall onto it together. He kisses me like he needs me to live, and his hands roam over my body, tugging my dress up until he can slide his hands up and under the fabric, touching my bare skin.

My back arches up, and I can't stop the low moan that slips from my lips. It feels so good to have him touch me this way again, it’s been too long.

I can't let this be the end. I want him so much, I need him, and I have to have him. I reach for the button on his jeans, undoing it and unzipping them in record time. Sebastian breaks the kiss, but his lips are still on my skin, kissing a trail down my jawline and neck as he rids me of my dress.

He removes my bra with practiced movements, hands plumping my breasts and fingers teasing my nipples to hardness. I whisper his name over and over, arching into his touch, and his kisses start a trail down my neck and collarbone.

My hands fumble with the hem of his shirt, pushing it up his muscled torso and revealing the abs underneath.

“Julia,” Seb's voice is low, rough against me. “You're so fucking beautiful. I've missed you so much.”

I whimper as his hands cup my breasts, thumbs teasing my nipples with increasing roughness. “I've missed you too.”

Neither of us dare to say it out loud and break the spell, but I know he loves me. He's showing me, in the way he kisses my skin and the reverent touches. We are speaking a language that we've forgotten how to speak but are relearning the words together.

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