Page 76 of Closer

“Stay with me.” His hand cups my cheek.

“You’re drunk, and I—”

He silences me, his thumb pulling down my lower lip. “Please, princess. I need you.” His voice cracks, raw with emotion.

A vulnerability he so rarely shows.

Raw need.

My heart aches for him, for us, for what we once had. Against my better judgment, I bend down, brushing my lips against his in a soft, tender kiss.

He responds immediately, his hand tangling in my hair, pulling me closer. The kiss deepens, grows more urgent, and I can feel his desire, his desperation. His hands roam my body, and I arch into his touch, a soft moan escaping my lips.

But when his hand slides under my dress—I break the kiss, pulling back. “Stop.”

He blinks up at me. “I thought—”

A heroine would probably swoon, overcome by the intensity of her feelings, the raw passion between them. She’d give in to her desires, propriety be damned.

I untangle myself from his embrace. “You’re drunk.”

“Fuck, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—I would never—” He looks genuinely distressed.

“I know. I know you’d never intentionally hurt me.” Again. “But this… us… it’s not right. Not like this.”

“I miss you so fucking much, princess.”

Tears prick at the back of my eyes. “I miss you too,” I whisper. “But we can’t keep doing this to each other.”

A pained expression washes over his face. “I’m sorry for putting you in this position.”

I lower my head, pressing one last lingering kiss to his lips. “Goodbye, Sebastian.”

“This sounds like a farewell.”

“It is.” I stand, straightening my dress. “Get some rest. I’ll…” My voice wavers, betraying the emotions I’m trying to keep in check. “I’ll see you around.”

He looks up at me, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and resignation. “Yeah. See you around, princess.”

I turn to leave, but his voice stops me.

“Lil?”

My hand hovers over the doorknob. “Yeah?”

“I believe you. You never betrayed me.” His words are heavy with unspoken meaning. “And I... I’m sorry. For everything.”

I swallow the big lump in my throat. “Me too.” And with that, I walk out the door, letting it click shut behind me.

In the hallway, I slump against the wall, burying my head in my hands. Fan-fucking-tastic. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep letting him have this hold over me. Why does it always have to be so complicated with us? Why can’t I...let him go?

I know the answer.

It’s because, despite everything, a part of me will always love him. Will always be drawn to him.

When it comes to Sebastian Barron, I’m utterly lost.

Chapter 23

---