Page 29 of Wild Tangled Hearts

“So, who was the lucky girl to get your first kiss?”

His expression turns thoughtful. “Her name was Baila. She was in one of my economic classes.”

“Was it serious?”

Sebastian’s gaze returns to the present, and he shakes his head. “It only lasted a few months until she broke it off.”

“Sorry.”

He shrugs. “It was easier that way. Let me focus on my schoolwork, and—” His words are abruptly interrupted by a sharp cough, which swiftly escalates into a fit, leaving him desperately gasping for air.

His face contorts with discomfort, and he fumbles to retrieve an inhaler from his pocket. He takes a puff, his breath gradually steadying, but his eyes still betray a sense of vulnerability.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.” Standing, he tosses the remainder of his ice cream in the garbage.

“My mom has asthma too,” I tell him, having faced many similar moments with her. “It’s scary. I can’t imagine what it must be like not being able to breathe.”

Sebastian’s eyes lock onto mine, vulnerability lingering in his gaze. He opens his mouth, as if preparing to share, but then hesitates. His lips part, but no words emerge, and I can sense that there’s more he wants to express, something he’s struggling to articulate.

As we walk back to my place, I notice the shift in his mood, the way his thoughts seem to have retreated into a state of contemplation.

Eventually, we arrive at my patio, the soft lights casting a gentle ambiance over the space. The silence lingers, heavy with unspoken words and emotions. I turn to him, my gaze searching his eyes for any hint of what he’s feeling.

His knuckles trace a slow, intimate path down my cheek. He leans down, closing the distance, his lips meeting mine in a tender, lingering kiss that quickly becomes more intense, more needy. His tongue parts my mouth, and his fingers tangle in my hair. When he pulls back, my face feels flushed, and my core aches with a need for release.

A desperate need for him.

“Are you planning on leaving me wanting more?” I ask playfully.

A mischievous smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “I’m a firm believer in taking things slow and savoring every moment.”

My heart races at the sultry tone of his voice, and I can’t resist leaning in closer, our breaths mingling. “Slow, huh? Well, slow can be...quite tempting.”

Sebastian’s thumb grazes my lower lip, and his eyes darken with desire. “Temptation can be a dangerous thing. Are you sure you can handle it?”

“There’s only one way to find out,” I whisper, closing the remaining space between us for another kiss, and my fingers find their way to his strong shoulders, pulling him closer.

Sebastian’s hands move with a purpose, trailing down my back, igniting sensations that send shivers through my body. His touch is electric, setting every nerve ending ablaze with desire.

Our tongues dance in a sensual rhythm, exploring and teasing. When he breaks the kiss, our ragged breaths mingle in the air, and his eyes search mine.

“Do you want to come in?” I ask, fingers gripping his shirt. Ready to beg if necessary.

“I’d like that—” He coughs suddenly, a harsh, rasping sound that interrupts our intimate moment. He turns away, and his second cough is even harder, punctuated by a string of curses muttered under his breath.This time the coughing doesn’t let up even when he uses his inhaler.

“Can I get you some water?” I ask, placing a hand on his back.

“No.” He says, the coughing finally easing.

“Let’s go inside.” I take his hand, but he remains rooted in place.

“I should go.” I catch a glimpse of vulnerability in his eyes, and he reaches out to brush his thumb over my cheek. “I’ll call you,” he reassures me, though his words leave me with a lingering sense of uncertainty as he gets in his car.

I can’t shake the feeling that there’s something I’m missing, something beneath the surface of his changing moods. And a sense of caution rings warning bells in my head. Should I end things before I become too emotionally invested? The fear of being hurt looms heavy in my thoughts. As I weigh my options, I can’t help but wonder if it’s better to step away now, while there’s still a chance to protect myself from potential heartache.

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