Page 19 of Saddles & Suits

“Good.”

Or maybe not.

“Good?” Hope rises. I keep it tightly leashed—just in case.

“Yeah. But are you ever going to fucking do anything about it? Or just sit around pining with your thumb up your arse?”

Why do I like Chris, again?

“I’m taking it slow,” I protest. “It’s complicated because Seb works for me.”

“Fuck me,” Chris mutters. “You two are one worse than the other.”

Hope breaks free from its leash. “Uh… does Seb…?”

“You need to talk to him about that, but I really think youshouldtalk to him about that.” The words are accompanied by an intense stare. Chris is clearly not about to break any confidences, which I respect, but a heavier hint has never been dropped.

“You know, I think I might head back to the house. Seb should be back from lunch with his folks, and I really need to talk to him.”

“That’s a good idea,” Chris says, grinning broadly. I ignore it and walk away.

The distance to the house has never seemed so long, not even when I was a kid and my legs were shorter. The closer I get, the more nervous I become. What if Chris is wrong? Or what if Chris is right, but for some reason, Seb’s decided it’s better for us to stay just friends? After all, there has to be a reason Seb hasn’t initiated anything.

Like’s there’s a reason you haven’t?

By the time I let myself in through the mudroom, I’ve made up my mind that, nerves or no nerves, I’m going to act. If Seb isn’t interested, that’s fine. We can still be friends. We’re mature, responsible adults, right? Which is why I’m going to find Seb, then sit him down and rationally explain how I feel and that I want to take our relationship to another level.

I find Seb in the kitchen, skolling a glass of water over the sink, and take a moment to watch his profile, the long line of his throat as he swallows.

Oh, man.

Seb puts the glass in the sink and turns, catching sight of me where I’m hovering just inside the room. “Hey. How was your ride?”

I clear my throat and take a few steps. “Good. Thanks. Uh, how was lunch?”

“Meh.” Seb shrugs. “My sister just had a baby, and not to sound self-absorbed, but I might as well have not been there. The kid is seriously cute, but the way my parents act, she’s the first baby ever born anywhere. I’m surprised they even remembered lunch.”

Forcing a laugh, I take another step. “Uh, can we talk?” I gesture to the table. The kitchen isn’t the location I envisioned for this conversation, but going somewhere else might throw me off my rhythm. Not that I have a rhythm yet.

Seb suddenly looks wary. “Sure.” He moves toward the table, and so do I, and then we’re only two steps apart and his lips are still wet and?—

I don’t remember closing the distance between us; I only know that Seb’s lips under mine are the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted. His surprise is tangible at first, but he doesn’t stiffen up, just kisses me back with an enthusiasm that makes my dick hard.

When Seb finally pulls back, we’re both breathing hard. Anxiety tightens my chest as Seb studies me, his face expressionless.

Oh fuck. It was a mistake. He doesn’t?—

Seb surges forward and takes my mouth with such force that I stagger back a step. It doesn’t stop me from responding.

The next time we pull apart, Seb’s pupils are blown, his face flushed, and I’m harder than I can ever remember being.

“That was… um…” What the hell do I say?You just fulfilled my dreams?

Luckily, Seb seems to get it. “Yeah.” He takes a step back, grabs the back of a chair, and sits down. “I need a minute.”

I huff a laugh and also sit. For a long moment, comfortable silence settles over us. I regulate my breathing and try not to lose myself in reliving our kisses.

Finally Seb reaches out and takes my hand. “I think this might get complicated, but I want to do it anyway.”

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