Page 42 of The Botanist and the Beast

"You like botany and said you wanted a greenhouse."

"I know that but, why else?"

"I don't follow," he said, flicking his eyes up. "Do I need another reason?"

"Sebastian, I have feelings for you. I worried confessing might be pointless but when you give me gifts like this it gets my hopes up." He lightly tapped the tip of one of his antlers. "Do you feel something for me, too?"

Sebastian faltered the keys and stopped playing. After a pause, he spoke in a small voice. "I do.”

Theo was unable to withhold his smile. He took a seat on the piano bench next to him. "Can I kiss you?"

Sebastian leaned in and placed a gentle featherlight kiss on Theo's lips then slipped his tongue in his mouth.

Theo had kissed plenty of people, but this was the first kiss to make him weak in the knees and ignite his desire so deeply. It tasted like yearning.

I'd get lost in the veil all over again if it meant I'd get kissed like this.

Sebastian's hand roamed down his sides. His touch was warm through the cloak. His claws pierced the fabric and poked him lightly. The pain was subtle, but it still made Theo hum happily.

Sebastian's kisses grew urgent, and he tugged at Theo's pants but didn't go further.

"Touch me," Theo said, caressing his cheek. "Just don't scratch."

Sebastian pulled him back into a rough kiss. He slipped a hand into Theo's pants and wrapped his hand around his growing hard-on. His purrs slowly turned to hungry growls.

Theo was about to ask if Sebastian wanted to move to somewhere more comfortable when a sharp pain pierced his lip. He yelped involuntarily.

Quickly, Sebastian pulled away and Theo touched his lip. When he checked his fingers, they were dripping with dark red blood. He winced a little but laughed. "Those fangs of yours are rather sharp. We'll have to be careful to..." he trailed off as he saw Sebastian's panicked expression.

He wasn't fully shifted but his ears and two tails were present. His brows were furrowed, and he held a clawed hand over his mouth.

"I'm fine," Theo said, still putting pressure on his lip. "Don't worry. Lips bleed a lot when cut. It'll stop soon.”

"I can't do this." He got up and started backing towards the door. "I'm sorry. I need to go."

"Wait," Theo said, gripping his hand. "If you're upset about this, let's talk about it."

"It's not just that." He tore his hand away. "That kiss was a mistake. Let's pretend it didn't happen."

"Pretend it didn't happen?" Theo was dumbfounded as he watched Sebastian leave. The door fell heavily and rattled the now lonely greenhouse.

Chapter Twenty-Five

It quickly became clear Sebastian was avoiding him. He was gone by the time Theo got to the suite. Aside from meals, Theo waited in the suite hoping to catch a glimpse of Sebastian. When he asked over dinner where he might be, no one else had seen him either.

In the middle of the night, he paced his room and pondered where on earth Sebastian could be. Then he remembered Lyle offering his room and his feet were moving before he could stop himself.

He knocked quickly on his door.

"Ward," he said, looking smug as he leaned in the doorway. "How may I be of assistance? You seem distressed."

He's enjoying this too much."Is Sebastian with you?"

"I see. The prince grew tired of you and tossed you out, right?" He laughed and nodded for Theo to come in. "He's not with me and I'm telling you now he will never choose you." He dug through a bedside table, then tossed him a small metal key. "Your bow is in the east wing. Third door on the left."

"I'm not going right now. I'm just curious about his whereabouts." He held the key out. "You can keep it. If you don't know where he is, just say so."

"Keep it. It's a gift for when your misplaced hope runs out. Eventually, you'll be tired of chasing and want to leave. I'll escort you when that time comes."

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