Page 63 of Infamous Heart

“I’ve never done this before, but this,” he pointed back and forth between him and me, “us. It’s a thing, right?”

“Did you just ask to make this official?”

“You’re going to make me say it, aren’t you?”

His cheeks turned red, and he struggled to maintain eye contact. Seeing him bashful had been rare, and I savored every moment of it.

“Yup.”

He gave a dramatic sigh. “This is harder than taking down Dino Destruction.”

“I’m in no rush.” Okay, maybe it was a bit mean not giving him a helping hand. But, some part of me loved the buildup.

“I want this to be a thing.”

Okay, now it was just cruel. “Exclusive? Boyfriends? Partners?”

“Thank you!” He sucked in a deep breath. “I’m working on it, I swear.”

“Boyfriend,” I whispered the word. It had been a long time since somebody earned that title. I watched as my boyfriend finished his burger. A dab of mustard hung on his lip before he grabbed a napkin and wiped down his face. I don’t know if it was the newly assumed mantle, or it was him in a superhero t-shirt devouring a burger, but I was happy. Genuinely, truthfully, happy.

Mildred appeared as if by magic, scooping up our plates. The moment she vanished, Sebastian’s gaze turned mischievous. He transformed from the scared man into that cocky designer I first bumped into at the Beacon.

“Do you trust me?”

“I think so?” Where was he going with this?

“Follow me.” With that, he slapped money on the table and took me by the hand, guiding me outside.

“I have a surprise for you.”

Heaven help me.

* * *

“If this is you taking your clothes off,” I laughed, “I’ve seen it all before.”

“Don’t peak.” Sebastian’s voice relayed a mix of childlike vigor and adamancy. He had me planted in the middle of his mid-century modern sofa while he ducked into the bedroom. I expected to smell cologne, or body wash from the bathroom, but his apartment remained freakishly clean. We’d have to work on that, otherwise he’d never let me spend the night.

“Can I open—“

“Don’t make me blind you.”

“Yes, daddy.”

“You know I can throw you half way across the city, right?”

I snickered.

For the last three days, Sebastian had gone out of his way to prove he held the heart of a hero. There were no speeches promising he’d change in the future. He had gone with the grand gesture approach. A series of drug busts, aiding elderly women, and photo op with a Girl Scout troop had filled my heart, and all as a demonstration for me. Reality had fallen apart, and I found myself in a superhero driven romantic comedy.

“Eyes closed?”

“If you’re not wearing a jock strap, I’m going to be...” The door opened, and it was quite possibly the only thing more amazing than this muscular man in his underwear.

“Don’t laugh. I feel a bit ridiculous.”

Sebastian stood in the doorway, shifting uncomfortably in a skintight suit. While the majority of it was black, the chest in a downward facing V stood out in a brilliant white. I wanted to whistle or make a snarky comment, but I realized that Hyperion’s outfit had been copied from my painting.

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