Page 152 of Closer

“Yes, ma’am.” I chuckle and stand, my gaze trailing over her form one last time before I force myself to turn away.

The bathroom tiles are cool beneath my feet as I strip off my clothes, throwing them into the laundry hamper. The water is scalding, steam rising in thick tendrils, and I step under the spray. It beats down on my skin, the pressure almost painful, but I welcome it.

I’ll find a way to tell her, to make her understand. But not tonight. Tonight, I want to hold her close and pretend that the rest of the world doesn’t exist.

Just for a little while longer.

Chapter 46

Lilian

“Good morning, princess.” Sebastian stands by the stove, engrossed in flipping golden pancakes.

“Morning.” I perch against the counter, watching him. “You’re in a good mood.”

“I have a beautiful woman in my apartment. What’s not to be happy about?”

“Love you, too.”

“Sleep well?” He flips another pancake, his attention back on the task.

“Very.” And it’s true. Since I slept wrapped in his arms, my nightmares disappeared. “Smells amazing.”

A grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “Hungry?”

“Starving.”

“Breakfast is almost ready.” He turns to me, crashing his mouth against mine. His hands find my waist, lifting me effortlessly onto the kitchen counter. “Wearing just my shirt. You’re making this really difficult, you know that?”

“What can I say?” A soft moan escapes me as his mouth travels down my neck, teeth grazing my pulse point. “You bring out the worst in me.”

“Is that so?” His hands slide under the hem of my shirt. “Well then, I guess I’ll have to punish you.”

A harsh, acrid scent fills the air.

I wrinkle my nose. “Something’s burning.”

He dashes over to the stove, grabs a mitt, and removes the smoking pan. The pancakes inside are charred beyond salvage.

“So much for breakfast.” I giggle.

“Sit down before I decide to make you my breakfast instead.”

“Is that a promise?”

He closes the distance between us, grasping my hips. “Now, where were we?”

“The pancakes were burning.”

“They’re already burnt to a crisp,” he murmurs against my lips. “Nothing else I can do about it now.”

“Nothing at all?”

“Nothing.” He kisses me again, slow and deep.

By the time we break apart, I’m dizzy with want.

“Sit.” He commands, voice rough. “It was the last one anyway.”

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