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“Yes,” I whisper, dazed.
“It was moaning that woke me up.” I feel the bulge between us and sigh. “And my name coming off someone’s lips with an incredibly erotic purr.”
“No,” I hiss, heat crawling up my throat. I’ve never been so embarrassed.
“Yes,” he counters. “I’m dying to hear it again while you’re awake and I’m between these sexy thighs.” Breathless, speechless, I don’t know how to respond. What to say or do.
Even as his lips slowly travel up my neck, kissing lightly, nipping and licking, I lean back a bit and clasp his jaw in both of my hands. The downy hair on his face tickling my palms as I meet his eyes makes me smile.
“You’re nothing like any man I’ve ever met, Sebastian.” And I mean that in the best way possible. He makes me believe in happiness.
“That’s because you’ve been spending time with boys, honey. I’m no boy.”
I make the first move this time, tilting my head and kissing along his lips before untangling myself from his body. As much as I want to make out with him all day long, I know I can’t because of Damien. I have not only my own heart to protect but his as well.
Stepping back, I reiterate once again, “We’re leaving soon.”
“Why?” Blinking as I stare down at him, I hadn’t anticipated that question, though I should have.
“Damien isn’t thriving here. I’m always walking on pins and needles at home, and I think that’s why he has the night terrors. I need a space for my son that is welcoming, loving. He doesn’t have that here.” And I can’t express just how much that breaks my heart.
Sebastian contemplates my explanation for a minute before countering with, “What if he could?”
“I suppose things would be different then. But my parents aren’t about to change, and I don’t make enough money to move out, and the jobs here...well, they aren’t great.” I love my town, but the size doesn’t work for anyone trying to make a life here.
He listens to me. I can see it in the way his jaw grinds together and in the rigidity of his body. I can also tell he wants to say something, but he’s keeping it to himself. For now, at least.
“Mamma, watch!” Damien bursts into the room with Jack hot on his heels. “Sit!” Damien drops to the floor, and Jack follows suit. “Good,” he cheers, clapping his hands. “See, Mamma?”
“I see, sweetheart.” Sitting next to my son, I get a quick glance of Sebastian, and my heart stops in my chest. I don’t know if he meant for me to notice it or not, but the way he watches us, with devotion in his eyes, I wonder, for the first time, if staying is possible. “Let’s see what else Jack can do.” I grin at my son as he wiggles his way into my lap and starts commanding Jack, who does everything asked of him.
Damien has been more enthusiastic and open this morning than I’ve ever seen him, and I think it has a lot to do with the wolf dog, but also enjoying those few minutes he had alone with Sebastian this morning before I woke up. Maybe this is where we’re meant to be, and I’m so ready to get out that I’m not even seeing it properly.
Or maybe I’m too afraid to hand over my heart again.
CHAPTER 4
sebastian
Sitting on my workbench, sanding the rounded edges of a bench I’ve been working on for a few months, my mind keeps wandering to the duo inside my house. After our kiss this morning and unexpected revelation about how Ema is feeling, I picked up on a few things.
Intimacy scares her. Not just physically, either, but emotionally. She’s had her heart stomped on.
Damien doesn’t just come first; he is first for her. I didn’t realize there was a difference until now. It’s instinctual and happens without forethought. I don’t believe she thinks about herself at all beyond her basic needs. Which will help with convincing her a lot easier than I thought. I refuse to manipulate her because if she doesn’t want to stay, I won’t force her, but I hope that if Damien does, she might too. And Jack is helping with that without even realizing it.
From the minute I saw Ema, I knew she was it for me. It was in her eyes and the way she spoke. Softly but with confidence. Being able to call her mine will be a genuine pleasure. Having her call me hers will be a damn privilege I’ll work to earn for the rest of our lives.
“Tell me about you, Sebastian.” Looking up at the woman in question, I was so lost in thoughts of our future I didn’t hear her come out. Standing, I walk closer and help her take off her heavy coat, simultaneously brushing the snow off her head.
“What do you want to know?” I’m an open book when it comes to her. “Where’s Damien?” I ask when I don’t see him shuffling behind her.
“Napping with Jack.” She smiles, obviously enjoying that he has a companion. “And anything, everything, whatever you want to share.” Her wide blue eyes stare up at me, and in them, I see her desire to want to stay, to start something between the two of us that would be everlasting.
“I’m originally from Fairbanks. Moved here when I was a toddler to live with Pops when my parents decided they’d had enough of me. I was homeschooled, and we basically stayed on the mountain.” I watch her with a keen eye as she wanders around my shop, her delicate fingers gliding along different pieces of furniture as she inspects them. “He taught me to do all this.”
“It’s all very beautiful.” Ema looks at me over her shoulder, and while it might not be meant as seduction, it comes off that way, and my dick goes from half to full mast in about point two seconds. “What else?”
“In the summers, I’m a logger in Ketchikan. Jack usually comes with me, but he’s getting a little older now. I suspect he’d like to stay home with a family if he could.” My hint isn’t so subtle.
