Page 42 of Time After Time
Chapter 14
Sebastian
Asneeze built slowly, the tickle in my nose impossible to ignore. I blinked against the morning light, groggy but aware of the irritant clinging to my face and sneaking into my mouth. My hand moved on instinct, brushing away a long strand of hair tangled around my throat, pulling me further from my sleep.
My eyes blinked open, adjusting to my surroundings. But as the haze lifted, I realised I wasn’t alone in bed.
It wasn’t the first time her hair had roused me from sleep or tangled around my neck during the night. It wasn’t the first time I’d woken up with her nestled against my side, her arms wrapped around her chest, her breath warming my skin. Nor was it the first time our legs were intertwined, ensuring we both retained the heat of each other’s bodies, even on sweltering summer nights.
But something felt different this time. Her arms weren’t folded neatly across her chest as usual. While one remained in place, the other lay draped around my lower waist, two fingers tucked inside the hem of my shorts. My heart quickened, and Iswallowed hard before turning my gaze toward her, confirming if she was asleep.
“Shit.” The word broke from my lips, trembling with urgency.
Gen’s fingertips twitched over my skin in a manner I had never experienced before, sending shivers coursing through my body.
Despite trying to keep it together, my body gave in to her touch, completely drawn in by the way she unconsciously stroked my skin. Gosh. She was pressed up against me, wearing the oversized shirt and shorts I’d lent her the night before. As she shifted in her sleep, her fingers drifted from where they’d rested, now brushing the hem of my shorts before sliding lower as she stretched out, still lost in her dreams.
My mouth fell open in disbelief, diverting my attention to the ceiling, and I immediately berated myself as my hips arched higher, yearning for her touch. “What the fuck, Sebastian.” With an almost frantic movement, I sprang from the bed, fleeing from her with flushed cheeks and tousled hair.
As expected, Gen remained undisturbed, oblivious to my sudden departure, even as I moved as if the bed were in flames.
My body’s response wasn’t unexpected, but this time it was different; more intense. One quick glance at my shorts confirmed it, and I couldn’t help but be taken aback by just how strongly I was reacting.
Turning away, I made a beeline for one of my drawers, snatching the first pair of boxers and clothes I laid eyes on, eager to escape—or find refuge—in the bathroom.
“Seb?” A faint murmur caught my attention, drawing my gaze back to Gen. She was still sound asleep, her body curled into a tight ball, clutching the pillow I had used. The way she held it close to her chest made it seem like she was seeking comfort, her dark hair falling softly over her face. Watchingher, I couldn’t help but notice the way her lips parted as she breathed, a peaceful expression settling over her features.
I did everything I could to shove the emotions aside, burying them deep in my mind, hoping they’d fade with time. But even the smallest thing—a glimpse of her, a passing thought, or just a trace of her scent—would pull them back to the surface, stronger than ever, making it harder and harder to keep them buried.
But there were other emotions I couldn’t escape, ones that kept me up at night. I’d sit in the corner of my bed, head in my hands, caught in a whirlwind of ‘what ifs’.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, startling me. I quickly grabbed it, silencing the vibrations to avoid waking Gen. My pulse quickened when I saw it was a message from Reth Inoue. We’d exchanged a few emails about the apprenticeship—mostly details about travel and what I’d need to bring. But when he asked for my number, our conversations had become more relaxed. He sent me pictures of recipes he was trying, and I shared my own. Sometimes, he’d even throw in a funny baking-related meme.
Reth was a big deal in the baking world, and I still couldn’t believe I was getting the chance to learn from him. But these casual chats—where he didn’t come across as some untouchable expert—made everything feel more comfortable. It made the apprenticeship feel less intimidating, more like we were two people who simply shared a passion for baking.
I was snapped back to the moment when I felt a soft touch on my lower back. Turning around, I saw Gen looking at me through half-closed eyes, her lashes fluttering. She had shifted in her sleep, her t-shirt now riding up her thighs, the collar slipping down just enough to reveal a hint of skin. My face went hot, and I immediately averted my gaze, feeling my cheeks flush.
With a sigh, I headed to the shower, mentally preparing myself for the fountain of icy water. Afterwards, I turned on thefan in my room, hoping to keep a few stray strands of hair from sticking to Gen’s forehead. I was making my way downstairs when a sudden knock on the door startled me. Glancing out the side window, I spotted my mum and Robert carrying several bags and film-covered dishes.
“Hey,” I opened the door and my mum strode inside, tiptoeing to place a kiss on my cheek, which made me automatically lower down so she could reach. “Good morning.” Robert only offered a smile as his hands were busy while I closed the door behind them.
Both moved around the kitchen, uncovering every dish and grabbing extra utensils, which meant they knew Gen had stayed over. Usually, I would have told them, but exhaustion and emotional fatigue had fogged my mind. Still, I was pretty sure they’d noticed Gen’s shoes by the entrance. After all, I’d given her slippers to make her feel more at home. I had bought her a pair I kept in my cottage for whenever she stayed over and wanted to be comfortable.
I was beginning to feel more at home here myself. I’d planted some flowers out front, and their bright colours stood out beautifully against the cottage’s pale pink walls and white window frames, matching the furniture inside.
The cottage was bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside. It had two floors, though upstairs it was just my bedroom, a bathroom, and a decent-sized balcony—but honestly, that was all I needed. Downstairs was a small, cosy living room where my mum had helped me put together a bookshelf, and just beyond that was the kitchen. Tucked off to one side was a small enclosed space with the washing machine—practical enough, even if I still had to hang my clothes outside to dry.
“Morning,” Rob greeted once he started placing the dishes on the counter, as I didn’t have a dining table yet. I mirroredhis smile. My curiosity piqued as I walked closer, allowing my gaze to span all over the dishes they had bought. Pancakes… Gen would love those.
My mum started chopping some fruits I had in a nearby bowl to add them to the pancakes. I grabbed a knife myself, ready to help, taking the strawberries and bananas, which were Gen’s favourite combination. “How’s Mr. Marley?”
With a sigh, I shifted my weight from one leg to the other, inhaling the scent of summer drifting through the window and the mouthwatering aroma of the pancakes. “Devastated,” I replied, casting a glance upstairs as if expecting Gen to appear any moment. “Gen told me he was sitting on the porch during the storm, shivering.” I tried to imagine how he must have been feeling, or why he would have been out in the rain—almost missing the fruit and cutting my finger. “You’re still planning to visit him today, right?”
She nodded, her smile trembling.
Cora Ventura was very sensitive, which meant she felt everything, the good and the bad, in incredible ways. I knew she wouldn’t be able to speak without her voice cracking as soon as she would see Mr. Marley. “We’re planning to spend some time with him and maybe whip up something nice to eat.”
“Gen and I invited Aria to join us, just to help her get out of the house for a bit.”
