Page 56 of Corrupted Memories
“Drawing,” I say, knowing he’ll keep touching me if I don’t acknowledge him. “You took my laptop from my bag and I don’t have what I need to complete my work, so I’m sketching out my ideas.”
“Ahh.” Sebastian hums. “I forgot about that. I’ll have Nico bring that over.”
I roll my eyes and then glance at him. “You don’t forget anything. Don’t lie to me.”
All humor disappears and he nods. “You’re right. I was waiting for you to ask.”
“I shouldn’t have to ask. That’s the thing, Sebastian. You want me to stay, but you treat me like your prisoner who has to earn back their rights instead of a partner.”
His jaw tics and he settles against the cushions, his head tilting back as he stares up at the ceiling. “I spent six years searching for you. It’s hard to let go and not be afraid you’re going to slip away again.”
The back of my eyes sting, and I try to keep my breathing calm so he can’t see how his words affect me. I spent those years afraid of him finding me, yet when he did I ran straight to him instead.
My hand shakes as I try to draw another line. “I’m here, aren’t I?”
“Yes, because you have to be. I clipped your wings and put you in a gilded cage so you couldn’t escape me again.”
Licking my dry lips, I set the pen down and face him on the couch. “Then open the door, Sebastian. Trust I won’t fly.”
His head lulls toward me, his icy eyes darken like a thunderstorm. “Would you have come willingly if I hadn’t threatened that loser?”
I want to lie. It’s on the tip of my tongue. But we have to move forward from this stalemate. “Probably.”
Surprise flashes across his face, and I sigh. “Or I would have at least heard you out. You probably would have had to corner me first. I don’t know,” I say.
He reaches over, cupping the back of my neck and pulling me to him. I don't resist, moaning when our lips touch. He deepens our kiss as I crawl over him, straddling his lap. My hands roam his chest before he pulls away with a hiss, catching my wrist.
I frown. “Are you hurt?”
Sebastian sighs. “I—no. I had to do something and it’s sore.”
There’s indignation in his voice so I know he’s nottelling the full truth. I yank my hand away and start unbuttoning his shirt.
“Wait, Gianna?—”
“No, show me.” I shake my head. “You want us to be together, and yet you hid and continue to hide most of your life from me. Don’t I deserve the truth if I’m going to choose you?”
His jaw works back and forth as I work the rest of his shirt open. “I’ll show you, but let me explain before you jump to conclusions.”
I tear the shirt front to the side and the large black tattoo covering his entire right pec steals my breath. It’s a crest, similar to a coat of arms, of a large crown on top of a skull with folded wings encasing it. There’re crossed swords underneath with a small phrase in Latin. I move to trace it but Sebastian catches my wrist. I’m not familiar with the design, but I can feel the significance of it. My eyes lift and we hold our gaze, my blood pumping in my ears.
“What is that?”
“It’s an initiation.”
I swallow the emotion growing in my throat. “Into what?”
Sebastian blows out a breath. “Into the Outfit. I’ve been sworn in as a Made Man.”
“So you’re an actual mobster now?” I pull my hand away from him and he lets me.
An amused smile stretches on his face. “Mobster. A little melodramatic,mon cœur.”
“You said you weren’t a part of all that.” I move to get off his lap, but he holds me tight in place. I glare when I can still feel his thick, hard cock pressing against my thin pajama shorts.
“I wasn’t, Gianna. That wasn’t a lie, but circumstances have changed. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option I could walk away from.” His crystal eyes study my face, fierce possession darkening them, and I slowly relax over his body. When I decided to not turn over the information in his office, I made the decision to trust Sebastian, and I have to give him the chance to prove that he’s worth it.
“What do you mean? What happened?”
