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“I want…” I lick my dry lips. His eyes track the movement hungrily. “I probably have morning breath, and my hair’s a mess and—”

“So? I don’t care.” To prove his point, he captures my lips in a kiss. I’m too stunned to resist at first, my mouth falling open under his. His tongue delves inside, tangling with mine. He tastes like sleep and desire, and I moan into the kiss despite myself.

By the time he pulls back, I’m breathless and dizzy. He looks entirely too pleased with himself.

“See? Morning breath isn’t so bad.” His thumb strokes my bottom lip. “In fact, I’d love to wake up like this every day.”

I swallow hard, trying to gather my scrambled thoughts. “Sebastian, I don’t think—”

A loud, insistent knocking at the door cuts me off. We both freeze, staring at each other with wide eyes.

“Lil? You awake?” Jason’s voice filters through the door. “Wanna grab breakfast? Ju’s in.”

Shit. Shit, shit, shit.

Sebastian’s grin turns wicked, and he opens his mouth, no doubt to announce his presence. I slap my hand over his lips, shaking my head frantically.

“Um, I can’t!” My voice is high and thready with panic. “Not feeling well.”

The door handle rattles. “Do you need anything?”

Sebastian’s hand starts wandering south again. I swat at him, but he grins, completely unrepentant.

“No! I want to sleep.”

“Lil? You sure you’re okay?” Jason asks.

“Y-yeah, I’m fine! Just, uh, cramps. Really bad cramps.” I’m bad at this. It’s the first thing that popped into my head. I should really get that book about lying.

Sebastian’s brows raise, and he mouths ‘cramps?’ at me with an amused smirk. I elbow him in the ribs.

“Oh, okay. Well, let me know if you need anything,” Jason says.

“Mhmm, thanks!” I hold my breath.

But of course, Sebastian chooses that moment to start kissing my neck, his teeth grazing my pulse point. I press my lips together, my nails digging into his shoulders.

Jason, please just go away.

Sebastian sucks on my skin, and I know it will leave a mark. His fingers stroke me through my underwear, and my hips buck up.

“I could make you feel better than any pill, princess.” He chuckles lowly against my throat. “Just say the word.”

God, he’s incorrigible. And I’m incorrigible for wanting him so badly despite the situation.

“Lil?” Jason calls again, and I tense. “Ju asks if you have seen her key?”

I tense up, and Sebastian pauses his delicious torture, lifting his head to meet my gaze.

“Did you steal Ju’s key?” I hiss at him, trying to keep my voice low.

He shrugs. “Maybe.”

He totally did. Caught red-handed. I gape at him.

Before I can properly berate him, Jason’s voice filters through again. “Ju says she’ll use the spare key. Feel better soon!”

“Bye, have fun.” I hold my breath, listening. After a few agonizing seconds, I hear the blessed sound of the front door closing. I slump back against the pillows, exhaling.

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