Page 48 of Hot in Witch City
Sebastian
What a brilliant end to an already fantastic night. Not only did I have a great time out with Gianna, but she invited me home with her. This was even after how Diego and I had acted like competitive dumbasses while trying to solve a puzzle earlier.
I’d been careful not to come on too strong during the night, so as not to push my luck, but when I’d put my arm around her in the comedy club, she hadn’t pulled away. Where we stood in the space between friends and lovers was still murky.
“Make yourself comfortable.” She brushed my upper arm as we headed inside her townhouse. “Let me take your coat.”
I removed it and she hung it on her coat hook. She took off her boots, so I removed mine putting them side by side in this entryway. Together. That was the way it would be if my wolf had anything to say about it.
The universe had gifted me with the most wonderful woman as my mate but added a cruel twist with her reluctance to commit. Gianna was a complicated woman who did not want to be chained by a relationship. I understood that desire—hell, I’d been living that way for my adult life—yet it crumbled the more I spent time with her. I wanted to be with her and only her. Could she ever see me the same way?
“Would you like a drink?” she asked.
“Sure. Whatever you’re having.”
While she continued down into the kitchen, I glanced around the living room and sat on the blue velvet sofa. Soft music played at a low volume, going along with the relaxing vibe. It seemed perfect for someone to decompress after a long night at a rock club. I leaned back, closing my eyes to listen to the song, Morphine’s “Cure for Pain.”
“You’re not falling asleep on me, are you?” Gianna teased as she returned with two drinks.
I opened my eyes and accepted the offered drink.
“Hell no. Just enjoying the comfortable couch.”
She sat beside me and sipped her drink. “Right. I enjoy relaxing here to decompress after work.”
“I like it,” I noted. “I’m glad you invited me here.”
“Me, too.” She put her drink on a coaster on the coffee table. Then she moved closer to me.
I put my glass down on a coaster beside hers. She tipped her face up and kissed me.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
I followed her up to her room, excitement enthralling me. My wolf bounded about inside, harping at me to claim Gianna. That was still an enormous, invisible elephant in the room. I hadn’t told her the truth. She meant more to me than she knew. This was so much more than just sex for me.
One day soon, I had to summon the courage to confide this to her, despite the crippling anxiety of how she’d react.
Was there the tiniest sliver of hope that she’d embrace our connection?
Or was I doomed to face a devastating rejection?
Gianna
The day arrived that I’d arranged to meet my mother. Anxiety swirled around me like a low fog. Fortunately, Sebastian distracted me with a steamy quickie in the shower followed by breakfast.
We ate eggs and bacon at my two-seater round kitchen table, which overlooked the small patio. This wasn’t a typical scenario I had with any of my lovers. Sex was sex, and I avoided any form of intimacy. But Sebastian wasn’t typical of anyone I’d been with in the past.
I sipped the delicious hot coffee while snowflakes fell outside. They didn’t appear to stick, though, melting as soon as they landed.
“Are you going to be okay today?” he asked, concern edging his tone.
I adjusted in the hardwood chair. “Yeah. Fortunately, this hearty breakfast will fortify me to face what’s ahead.” I smiled and then added, “Plus, your exceptional bedroom skills have been stellar at distracting me.”
Sebastian’s expression fell, surprising since I’d just contemplated his sexual prowess. “What’s wrong?”
“Gianna, I need to tell you something.” He stared outside the window before bringing his gaze to meet mine. “The thing is—what we have going on means more to me than just sex.”
I rolled one shoulder. “Right, we’re friends, too. I get that.”
