Page 82 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Sebastian’s eyes remain heavy with the weight of his memories. “It was. But CF is a brutal disease. It destroys families. She never got over the guilt.”

“What’s CF?” I ask, grateful that he’s opening up.

He holds my gaze, an inner turmoil in his eyes, when he says, “Cystic Fibrosis.”

“I’ve never heard of it,” I admit.

“It’s caused by a faulty gene.” He takes a deep breath and rubs the back of his neck. “It leads to the production of mucus in the lungs and other organs, and it also traps bacteria, leading to chronic infections and lung damage. Many people with CF can live a fairly normal life, especially with the advances in medical therapies.” He sighs, his expression growing somber once more. “But Toby had an aggressive form of the disease. Despite all the treatments and interventions, his lung function deteriorated rapidly. He developed a severe respiratory infection that his weakened immune system couldn’t fight off.”

“I’m sorry.” I reach out and put my hand over his.

The pieces of a puzzle are falling into place, and I can see him more clearly now. The walls he’s constructed, the layers of self-protection, they all make sense considering the burdens he’s carried.

I rise from my seat, and he shifts on his stool to make space. I stand between his legs and I run my fingers through his dark hair, a tender gesture meant to convey my gratitude for his willingness to open up to me.

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I murmur. “I know it must have been difficult.”

Sebastian’s eyes meet mine, and there’s a deep vulnerability there. “Bella, I—”

I stop his words with a kiss, and he groans against my mouth. The taste of him is exquisite, a blend of coffee and something uniquely Sebastian. Our tongues dance in a tantalizing, intricate rhythm. The sensation of his lips moving against mine, the softness and warmth, ignites a fiery heat within me.

When our lips part, Sebastian’s breathing is ragged, his dark eyes filled with a depth of emotion that takes my breath away.

His fingers brush a strand of hair from my face as he speaks, his voice laced with sincerity. “I care about you, Bella. I don’t want to fuck things up. But my life is complicated...”

I rest my forehead against his, fingers tangling in his hair. “I can handle complicated. I just want to know where we stand.”

“We can take things slow,” he says, hands resting on my hips. “Whatever pace you’re comfortable with.”

“Thisisus taking things slow.” I say against his mouth, “I’m ready to speed things up a bit.”

“Is that so?” he asks, palms running under the t-shirt, across the bare skin of my lower back.

“Yes,” I murmur, my lips just inches from his ear, “I want you now.”

A deep groan vibrates in his throat, and he doesn’t hesitate. He takes my hand and leads me to the bedroom.

His gentle touch is filled with desire, and the room is charged with anticipation as he lifts the shirt over my head. He leans in, his lips tracing a path of kisses along my exposed skin. The warmth of his mouth against me sends shivers of pleasure down my spine, and I gasp as his lips find mine once more.

I find myself driven by an insatiable need to explore every inch of him. My fingers tremble slightly as I reach for the buttons of his shirt, and one by one, they come undone. As it slides off his shoulders and falls to the floor, I’m met with the breathtaking sight of his chiseled chest. It’s a masterpiece of lean, powerful muscles that ripple beneath his dark bronze skin.

My fingertips trace a slow, tantalizing path down his abs, reveling in the sensation of his warmth and strength. I feel the rhythm of his heart beating beneath my touch, each pulse echoing the desire that courses through us both.

“You’re even more incredible than I imagined,” I tell him.

He chuckles, the sound of a warm rumble against my ear. He leans in to whisper his response, his voice a husky murmur that sends shivers down my spine. “You’re gorgeous, Bella.”

We shed the remaining layers of clothing, our need intensifying with each garment that falls away. He explores my breasts with tender reverence, his mouth and tongue igniting sensations that leave me gasping.

His breath grows ragged against my skin, and I can sense the restraint that has held him back beginning to unravel. His lips find mine with an intensity that leaves no room for hesitation, and our kisses become more voracious, more primal.

Taking my hand, he leads me to the bed, easing me down onto the soft sheet.

From the bedside table, he takes out a foil wrapper. I seize the chance to appreciate all of him. Every inch of his body is perfectly sculpted. His waist is slim and toned, emphasizing the powerful lines of his abdomen and the definition of his muscles. I lick my lips at the sight of his long, thick cock. I take the condom from Sebastian and roll it over his delectable length. He groans and crawls onto the bed, moving so that his legs spread mine.

Those dark eyes hold my gaze, searching.

“I want this. Want you,” I rasp, as I guide his cock to my entrance. Slowly, he fills me, and my pussy aches in pleasure as it stretches to receive him. I gasp. “Oh, god.”

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