Page 52 of Balthazar's Fire
“Hey,” Sebastian interrupted.
It was true that in the spirit of transparency, he’d confessed some of his anxieties to Rebecca about how Balthazar might react to his union with a Monroe, but then he hadn’t expected his big brother to just show up at their door.
“I don’t want you to worry. I haven’t had the chance to talk things through with him yet, but I will.” Sebastian was relieved to hear that his tone was more convincing than he felt. “I’ll straighten things out with him now.”
“You’re sure?” Her beautiful brow furrowed. “Because I don’t want to cause any trouble between you. It’s great that you have a good relationship with your brothers.”
“No trouble,” he reiterated, having decided long before that Rebecca was his choice no matter what Balthazar, Draco, or Cole had to say about her. He loved his family, and hoped for harmony, but if needs insisted, then he was prepared to go rogue. Each Vaughn brother had an equal share of their father’s wealth, and Sebastian could survive—and flourish—without their help.
“And there’s more,” he continued, running his fingertips along the smooth skin of her arm. Somehow, Rebecca managed to make the short-sleeved tee look red hot, but then he was sure that she could make a trash bag look sexy. “He’s bringing his own woman with him.”
“The one you all went to rescue?”
She sagged against him, presumably still unable to fathom the fact that her own brother had been responsible for Cherie’s kidnapping. Sebastian hadn’t mentioned the fact that Oliver had previously employed Cherie. Perhaps Rebecca already knew, but he’d decided that Rebecca had been through enough and needed his protection, not to be weighed down by some misplaced sense of guilt on behalf of her brother.
He’d also managed to avoid asking her about Oliver’s chimera; the tension in his stomach twisting in recognition. He wanted to find out what she knew, and discover whether the gene was isolated to only her brother, but in truth, he’d been too anxious to probe deeper. Things had been so good since he’d transformed in front of her—they’d been so happy in their bubble of contentment—he didn’t want to make waves between them, and her astonishment at his change had already persuaded him that she was ignorant of Oliver’s ability. If Rebecca had been privy to the chimera, she’d have been significantly less stunned when her new beau shifted into a dragon. He was confident that she was in the dark about her brother’s abilities.
“That’s the one,” he replied. “So, it seems things are serious between them, as well.”
“You mean, things are serious between us?” Her eyebrow arched playfully. “I thought this was just great sex in a new swanky building.”
“Need another spanking, little girl?” he teased, thankful for the sexy diversion and all too conscious of how his cock throbbed at the idea.
Rebecca had been too upset to play the day before, her father’s vile messages ensuring that all she needed was love and comfort, but if she was going to demand his attention, then Sebastian’s palm was more than happy to deliver.
“Maybe once your brother has gone, sir.” Leaning forward, she ran her thumb across his jaw before she kissed his skin. “I don’t know if that’s necessarily the best way for you to introduce me to him.”
Sebastian chuckled at the thought. His swelling arousal rather liked the idea of Balthazar arriving to find his gorgeous redhead strewn over his lap, with her ass exposed and reddened, but that fantasy would have to wait for another time.
“You’re right,” he told her between kisses. “I think it’s best we talk alone at first. He’s going to ask Cherie, his new girlfriend, to wait elsewhere in the apartment so he and I can talk.”
“Want me to retire to the bedroom?” She grinned as she met his gaze.
“If you don’t mind,” he responded, aware of how fucking hot Rebecca made it sound. “Until I’ve had time to talk to him.”
The last thing Sebastian wanted to do was offend Rebecca, but watching her reactions, he noticed how at ease she was with the proposal. Evidently, Rebecca knew better than most how complicated familial relationships could be.
“It’s no problem,” she murmured. “I’ll grab a drink and go and hide there.”
“Don’t put it that way.” He caught her wrist as she rose from his lap. “I never want to have to hide you, little girl. I’d just expected to have spoken to Balthazar before he met you.”
“It’s okay, sir.” Turning back to him, she reached down and kissed his brow. “I totally get it.”
“So, you’re not upset?” he inquired, releasing her wrist.
“Not even vaguely.” She dismissed his concerns with relaxed laughter. “I’m sure I’ll find some way to entertain myself in there…”
“Hey, don’t forget who owns your orgasms.” Sebastian employed his most gravelly tone as he twisted to see her gleeful expression. “No playing with yourself until I say so.”
“I know,” she answered with a theatrical sigh. “I’ll do my best.”
The sound of two hard knocks at the front door splintered the sexy atmosphere he and Rebecca had manifested.
“That’s him.” Sebastian regretted the tension in his voice immediately.
Only Balthazar knocks like that.
“Okay.” She flicked her hair back as she moved to the door. “I’ll just run to the kitchen and then I’m out of your hair.”