Page 70 of Time After Time
An overwhelming urge to weep washed over me. I felt a desperate need to turn around and throw myself into his arms, hoping that his warmth and reassuring words would chase away my anxieties, as they often did.
After taking a few deep breaths to compose myself, I turned around to meet Sebastian’s concerned gaze.
“Hey,” Sebastian locked eyes with me as he pulled the icy soda bottle away from my neck and brought it to his mouth, opening it and wincing in the process. “Quick.” His words came out garbled, with the bottle cap still between his teeth. He held the bottle out toward me, worried that my pained expression was due to the heat. Gratefully, I let him bring the bottle to my lips, and he tilted it so I could take a sip.
I hadn’t realised how thirsty I was until I started gulping down sip after sip, making Sebastian pull the bottle away, reminding me to slow down.
“Thank you.” I wiped a few droplets from my chin with the back of my hand, realising that Sebastian had probably brought me the soda to help with my sugar levels, given the extreme heat that had settled over our town today.
I took the bottle from him, removing the cap from between his teeth before closing it and setting it behind me on the wooden table where the boxes were stacked.
“You feeling better now?” His concern was so evident that I couldn’t help but grin widely.
Sebastian furrowed his brow, not fully convinced by my smile. It was as if he could sense a hint of anguish in my eyes, and the harder I tried to force a reassuring grin, the deeper his frown became.
He glanced around, seemingly searching for someone, but as his face drew closer to mine, I realised he was making sure no one else was watching what he was about to do.
My right palm pressed against his chest, feeling the muscles beneath his shirt flex as I tilted my head forward, eager for his kiss. His slightly damp lips met mine in a gentle kiss that I savoured for a few precious seconds. Then, as his lips parted mine and his tongue brushed against my own, he pulled away, glancing around once more to ensure no one had witnessed the moment.
If only that kiss had lasted a few seconds longer.
Over the past two weeks, Sebastian and I have been through everything together, our bond growing stronger with each day. But now, there was something new between us—something electric. The kind of desire that pulls us together, that makes me question how deep my feelings for him really go. It’s thrilling and terrifying all at once, making me want to scream into the endless sky, just to release everything I’m holding inside. But I don’t even know what I’m holding.
“How’s your arm?” My voice came out softer than I intended as his lips brushed mine. My hand stayed pressed against his chest, gripping the fabric of his soft white t-shirt like it was the only thing keeping me from collapsing.
“Good,” he murmured, swallowing hard. His jaw tensed, and I couldn’t help but frown in response.
Sebastian had been through multiple breakdowns in recent weeks, terrified that his arm wouldn’t heal, that he’d have to give up the dream he’d fought so hard for. I was there, morning and night, knowing my words sometimes fell short, but hoping my presence and tight embraces would give him some kind of hope—or at least show him I had no doubts about his future. I couldn’t predict whether he’d fully regain his mobility, but thiswas Sebastian. No matter what, I knew he’d find a way to keep moving forward.
Tilting my head to the right, I searched his eyes, watching as his gaze flickered from one spot to another. And when his free hand moved up to tug at his hair, I knew. “That doesn’t sound like you mean it.”
He said nothing.
“Sebastian,” I whispered, stepping closer. My right hand hesitated for a moment before resting on his right arm, my fingers lightly tracing his skin, making him shiver. I wanted to remind him he could trust me, that I was here for him no matter what, and that he knew this. But before I could say a word, he closed his eyes, stepped even closer, and rested his forehead against mine.
Even with his eyes closed, his eyelids so close to mine, I could feel the slight tremor in his brow against my forehead. It made my heart ache for what was causing him so much anguish, knowing he was trying so hard to hold it back.
He opened his mouth, as if ready to speak to me, but a distant call of our names interrupted us.
We pulled apart as he turned around before I did, glancing over to locate the source of the disruption.
Sebastian’s hand reached up, finding the back of my neck, his thumb brushing my skin and drawing me closer. “Later, okay?” His eyes begged me to wait. Maybe it was because Mr. Marley and Robert were waving at us from just a few steps away. Maybe it was because I still had hours of work ahead. Or maybe he needed a little more time to gather the strength to talk.
“Hey, kids!” I turned back to Robert and Mr. Marley, a smile spreading across my face. It made me incredibly happy to see the old man looking healthier and more content each time we met. “Look who I brought!”
As they approached, I noticed a large, round ball following them. It spotted Sebastian and me at the same moment, and with a loud shriek, it started bouncing toward us, drawing the attention of those around as it rushed our way.
“Oh my god!” I squealed, and Sebastian’s laughter echoed as he shifted to the side. His arm slid under my buttocks, lifting me so he could keep me away from Cooper.
The pig, now aggressively nuzzling Sebastian’s feet with his snout, seemed to be expressing his frustration at being kept from me.
“What is he doing here?!” I cried out, not taking my eyes away from the beast. Cooper, as large as ever, tried to stand on his hind legs, his snout reaching desperately for me. My heart raced as I let out a louder squeal, feeling a shiver of unease at the pig’s relentless attempts to get closer.
Sebastian grumbled under his breath, frustrated as he tried to keep himself and me away from Cooper, who was more determined than ever to reach me. “Demon pig. I thought we discussed this,” he muttered, his voice laced with annoyance.
He tightened his grip around me, and I had to fight the urge to focus on how he was supporting my entire weight with just one arm, the firmness of his muscles pressing against me, and the warmth radiating between us.
“Shit, if you hit my private parts again,” he added with a growl, spinning around to make sure the pig didn’t make another attempt in that direction. His movements were swift and protective.
