Page 26 of Close

Lilian

24 hours.

I counted them down, and we’re over.

I pace back and forth between the bookshelves, my phone clutched in my hand. The empty chat window with Sebastian, waiting for a message, I can’t formulate.

Why haven’t I texted him yet? It’s not like I don’t know what to say. I could send a simple ‘hey’ and be done with it. But then again… There’s something about him that draws me in, no matter how much I try to resist. It’s not only his looks, though those certainly don’t hurt. It’s the way he carries himself, the confidence that radiates off him in waves.

It’s like I want to provoke him. Want him to take control, to make the next move. Or I wouldn’t have apologized again. I wouldn’t blush and think about his lips on mine every time he’s close to me. But I do. I can’t help it.

Is that normal? What does that say about me?

I bite my lip, my finger hovering over the send button. One word.

I haven’t seen him today. Maybe he got bored with me. The thought stings more than I care to admit. It’s weird because, before yesterday, I spotted him everywhere, except the library, but still.

“Why does this have to be so damn complicated?”

“What is complicated?” Sebastian’s voice cuts through the silence of the library, startling me so badly that I nearly drop my phone.

I fumble, catching it at the last second, and hiding it behind my back as I whip around.

“What are you doing?”

“N-nothing.” How does he always manage to catch me off-guard?

“Nothing?” He takes a step toward me, and I back up instinctively, my shoulders hitting the bookshelf behind me. Trapped.

He braces his hands on either side of my head. “That’s not good because what you should have done is text me. Time’s up, princess.”

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry.

“Here I thought you were a good girl.” His voice drops lower as he leans in. “But maybe that’s not the truth.”

Good girl. The words wrap around me like a caress, tantalizing and tempting. I want to be good for him. Want to please him.

“Tell me.” His hand comes up, fingers brushing feather-light along my jaw. “Do you want to be punished?”

My heart stutters. Punished. The word conjures up images that make my cheeks flush, and my thighs clench.

“I…” My voice comes out breathy, barely a whisper.

His lips curve into a wicked grin. He can read me like a book. Revels in it. His hand slides lower to my throat, not squeezing, but a silent threat. A promise.

Right now, with his body so close to mine and his dark eyes consuming me, any restraints vanish. He could do whatever he wanted, and I would gladly take it.

His lips hover a breath away from mine. Just a bit closer.

The hand on my throat disappears, and Sebastian steps back.

I sag against the bookshelf. Why?

“Disappointed, princess?” His eyes bore into me.

I don’t respond, my tongue tied in knots. What can I even say to that? That yes, I am disappointed. I want him to kiss me, to touch me.

“I won’t do anything. Not unless you tell me to. So, do you want me to kiss you?”

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