Page 32 of Closer

Sebastian’s grip on my waist tightens, pulling me closer until our bodies are almost flush. “You know why.”

My fingers twist into his shirt. “No, I don’t. You made it pretty clear that whatever we had is over.”

“Princess.” He growls, the sound reverberating deep inside me.

“Don’t ‘princess’ me.” I attempt to back away, but his hold is unyielding. “You lost that right the second you left me in that library.”

“Almost forgot. Yes. The day I found out you were just pretending. Thanks for reminding me, princess.”

“I wasn’t. I never was.”

He scoffs.

And everything starts to dissolve. The blackness taking over. The monsters scratching at my feet. No. Not now. Please.

“Lil?” He cups my cheek, and the monsters disappear as if he reigns over them.

“Don’t. You moved on with Serena. Why won’t you let me?”

“Serena has nothing to do with this.”

“Doesn’t she? She’s your girlfriend. Or is she another girl you use and discard?”

His expression hardens, his grip on my waist almost painful now. “Careful, princess. You’re treading on dangerous ground.”

“Or what? You’ll punish me?” The words are out before I can stop them, hanging in the air between us like a challenge.

His eyes darken, pupils dilating. “Don’t tempt me.”

My breath hitches, my body responding to his proximity despite my brain screaming at me to push him away. “I’m not yours to punish.”

“You’ll always be mine.” His words come out in a possessive rumble. “No matter how much you try to deny it.”

I open my mouth to retort, but the words die on my tongue as he moves closer, his lips a hairsbreadth from mine. My heart pounds in my ears, my body thrumming with heat and, first and foremost, raw need.

But as quickly as he pulled me in, he releases me. “Go home. Sleep it off. You said Gem was here, right?”

I nod.

“What about Mary? I saw her inside.”

I nod again.

“Then you should go to her. It’s cold outside.”

But I can’t move. It’s like I’m rooted to the spot, trapped by his presence. My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure he can hear it.

“Seb…” I don’t even know what I want to say. There’s so much left unsaid between us, so much hurt and anger and longing. It’s a never-ending stupid circle.

Sebastian’s gaze holds mine, the intensity in his eyes making my knees weak. I want to look away, to break this spell he has over me, but I can’t. It’s like he’s reached into my very soul, tugging at the threads of my heart.

“I’m sorry about last time,” he says. “And I shouldn’t have snapped like that.”

“I’m sorry, too.”

He runs a hand through his hair. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I should go inside,” I say.

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