85 A Drunken Kiss and a Dangerous Promise
“Why are you being so nice to me?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes at Sebastian
The room was spinning slightly, making his handsome face blur at the edges. Despite my drunken state I noticed how his expression shifted from amusement to something
more serions
is kindness so suspicious?” he asked
I jabbed a finger toward his chest, nearly losing my balance in the process. “People are & Rist ng Everyone wants something
Sebastian caught iny wrist before I could poke him again. His grip was gentle but firm.
What exactly do you think I want from you Ms. Shaw?
leaned closer, squinting as if I could see through him. “Maybe you want my kidneys Are you an organ harvester?”
A surprised laugh escaped him. Tassure you, my medical interests don’t extend to organ theft
That’s exactly what an organ harvester would say! I pulled my wrist free and scooted to the opposite end of the sofa, hugging a decorative pillow to my chest like a shield
Sebastian shook his head “Hazel, I promise you’re safe with me
How do I know that? My voice sounded childish even to my own ears. “I trusted Alistair for six years, and look where that got me
T’m not Alistair
There was something in the way he said it-a quiet intensity that made me pause
No: Lagreed, studying his face. You’re much more dangerous
Dangerous His eyebrow arched
nodded emphatically You re too perfect Too helpful Too everything waved my
hand in his rural direction. It’s out natur)
Sebastiat leaned back watching me was those dark unreadable eves The far from
perfect Hazes
“There! That s weird too” Eported accusangls “You keep calling the Hazel Nobody calls me Bazel except Vera It’s always “Ms Shaw this and Ms Shaw that Even the people who hate me are polite about it
“Would you prefer I call you Ms. Shaw?
“No! I mean, yes Lfrowned, confused by my own response “I don’t know
Sebastian smiled, and something about it made my stomach flip. Or maybe that was Just the alcohol
“You know what my problem is?” I blurted out
“I’m sure you’re about to tell me
“I’m a soft persimmon.
Sebastian blinked. “I beg your pardon?”
A soft persimmon.” I repeated, as if it explained everything ‘Everyone sees me as this soft, vulnerable fruit they can squish and take bites from whenever they want? I mimed a squishing motion with my hands. “My father, Tanya Ivy Alistair – they all took pieces of me
Sebastian’s expression softened. “Not anymore. You’re stronger than you give yourself
credit for.”
“Am I” I looked down at my hands. “Sometimes I don’t feel strong at all
“Strength isn’t about never feeling vulnerable” he said quietly ‘It’s about continuing despite that vulnerability
I stared at him, momentarily speechless. Even through my alcohol haze, his words resonated somewhere deep inside me
Who are you really?” I whispered. Do know you from somewhere
Sebastian hesitated, something flickering in his eyes. Do you recognize me Hazel? Lleaned forward studying his face intently. There was something familiar about him like a balf-forgottes dream. But before Frould chase that thought. The room fitted
Whoo, breathed grabbing the edge of the sofa
Sebastian was beside me instantly You should lie down
I’m tine
basisted, even as I listed sideways. He caught me easily, his arm strong
around my shoulders
“You re not time You’re exhausted and intoxicated
You’re bossy, & muttered but didn’t resist as he cased me down onto the sofa cushions. The room spun less when I was horizontal, which was a define
improvement
Sebastian pulled an afghan from the back of the sofa and draped it over me “Get some
TEST
“Wait, grabbed his wrist. “You didn’t answer my question: Why are you being so nice
To me
He looked down at my hand clutching his wrist, then met my eyes. “Because someone needs to be.
“That’s not an answer
“It’s the only one I can give you right now.”
I frowned up at him “You’re very mysterious, you know that?”
A small smile played at his lips. “So I’ve been told:
As he straightened up, the light caught his face at a different angle, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable
“You’re really handsome” I blurted out, filter completely dissolved by alcohol
His smile widened slightly. And you’re really drunk
“Doesn’t make it less true: I argued “Your lips look soft.
Sebastian froze his expression unreadable Hazel
I want to check” Before he could react. I pushed myself up on my elbows and pressed my lips against his
The eyes lasted culs seconds before he pulled back but it was enough to confum my
Theory This Bips were indeed soft-and surprisingly warm
“Your lips are soft. I announced flopping back onto the cushions. “I knew it
Sebastian stood very still, his expression a complex mix of emotions I couldn’t decipher
“We shouldn’t, he said finally, his voice rougher than before
“Why not? I challenged. “We’re married, aren’t we? Married people can kiss
His eyes widened slightly. “Married?”
“Mim-hmmm I nodded, the movement making the room swim again. “In my dream You and I were marned.”
Something shifted in Sebastian’s expression. “Is that so?”
Yep patted the space beside me on the sofa. “Come sit. You’re too tall standing there Makes my neck hurt.
After a moment’s hesitation, he sat on the edge of the sofa I reached out and clumsily traced the line of his jaw with my fingertip.
You can kiss me back, you know.” I informed him matter-of-factiv I won’t tell
anyone.
Sebastian caught my hand gently. “You’re not in a state to make that decision.”
“I’m drunk, not incapacitated.” I countered. “And I’ve been wanting to kiss you since. frowned, confused by my own thoughts. “I don’t know when. But it feels like forever”
Something flashed in his eyes- a heat that made my breath catch. He leaned closer his voice low. “You won’t remember this tomorrow
“Maybe I will,” Lchallenged “Or maybe you could remind me
Sebastian studied my face for a long moment Then, as if coming to a decision, he murmured Ive been holding back since the moment I found you again. Perhaps I’m tired of restraint
He leaned down, his face inches from mine My heart raced as his hips hovered just above mine This was
This was herent from my impulsive peck. This was deliberate charged with an intensify the made iny skin tingle
fust as his lips brushed against mine qe stomachy lurched violently. The pleasant warmth spreading through me was suddenly replaced by an undemable wave of
Im
“Sebastian: Tehoked out, my hand flying to my mouth think I in going to be sick
