Page 45 of Sebastian's Secret

“Well,” he replied. “I will.”

“Go ahead.” Snuggling into the crook of his neck, she breathed in his masculine scent, that wonderful essence of cinnamon that lingered in his cologne.

“The way you feel makes sense,” he started. “Based on what you’ve told me, you’ve been screwed up, scared, and doing whatever you needed to survive.”

He’d summarized her life in a couple of lines from only one brief conversation. He was definitely more intuitive than any man she’d known.

“Yeah.” Sighing, her fingertips rose to the top button of his shirt, circling it. “Sounds like you’ve got a handle on me.”

“But for all of that,” he went on, snaking his arm around her and cupping her ass with the same enormous palm that had blistered it. “You’re still incredible, little girl, you shine like a fiery beacon.”

“I think you’re being kind.” She giggled at his description, placing a kiss above the button at the place his dark chest hair was visible. “But I do appreciate it. No one has ever tried to understand me before.”

She’d never even given them the chance.

“I always will.” Determination rang out in his voice. “If you let me.”

“Thanks.” She skimmed her mouth over his. Opening up to Sebastian was perturbing. She couldn’t say that she regretted it, but she no longer wanted to dwell in the woeful emotions. “But if it’s okay, I’d prefer to finish my drink and play some more.”

“More?” His brow rose with surprise.

“Yeah.” She beamed. “I’m not done with you tonight, sir.”

Chapter Nineteen

Sebastian

As he soared through the chilly morning atmosphere, there was only one thing on Sebastian’s mind. Rebecca. When he closed his eyes, he swore he could still smell the scent of her intoxicating body, still taste her tempting pussy, even though he hadn’t enjoyed the pleasure since he’d left her in his bed earlier.

I’ll see her later.

Excitement at the thought knotted in his stomach, teasing him with apprehensive waves of anticipation.

I’m like a schoolboy.

Sebastian shook his head, even though there was no one there to witness the deed. What was wrong with him? He couldn’t be in love. It was far too soon to consider something so preposterous, but sailing through the air, he couldn’t rid himself of the idea.

What if I do love her?

Rebecca could be the answer to the riddle he’d wrestled with for all those years—a woman who could bring balance between the requirements of his father’s contract and Sebastian’s own needs.

“Too soon,” he reminded himself through gritted teeth. “Stop this.”

But he couldn’t. However far he flew, however fast, however ferociously, a vision of his future outran him—a world where he was with his enigmatic redhead, where she bloomed under his touch and he, for his part, saved her from whatever toxicity resided in the Monroe household.

Swooping and narrowly avoiding a nearby mountaintop, Sebastian inhaled the frigid air into his dragon’s flared nostrils. If there was one thing he was determined to do, it was to protect Rebecca. In the limited amount of time he’d known her, he’d seen and heard evidence that both her father and brother had shown her immense disrespect, the injustice boiling the fire coursing through his veins. Whether he and Rebecca ended up together or not, Sebastian simply wouldn’t allow it. He didn’t know all the fucked-up things that had happened in the Monroe family, and in, truth, he didn’t care. The Monroe men had better watch their steps or they’d be dealing with one extremely angry, fire-breathing dragon.

“Rebecca.”

Whispering her name into the ether was enough to brighten his mood again. Wrapped up in his sheets, she was safe for the time being, and that was what counted.

Sebastian had no idea if dragons could technically smile, but the thought of her lithe and gorgeous form waiting for him at the house was enough to decide for him. Lips stretched wide, he was definitely grinning as he split the air over Fireside. He couldn’t resist the urge to demonstrate his exultant emotions.

I’ve met someone! Delight abounded at the pronouncement. She’s smart, beautiful, and endlessly fascinating. She’s perfect!

Joy exploded like fireworks in his soul as the thought resonated—even though he acknowledged it as foolish and premature—Sebastian couldn’t contain his swirling feelings, and as his enormous wings carried him past the place he and his brothers considered to be home, he accepted that he didn’t want to.

Finally, after so many years of struggling with the legacy of his father’s deal, Sebastian had found someone who could cut through the crap, whose energy dwarfed the concerns that rumbled inside of him, and it was magnificent. Yes, it was ridiculously early to know if she was the proverbial ‘one’, but for the first time since the day he had signed Michael Vaughn’s infernal contract, he wanted her to be. He cared that she might be. Suddenly, he was interested in the idea of spending his life with someone else—with her.