Page 116 of A Wild Darkness

“Because I never asked.”

“So, I don’t get a say?”

His eyes fall to my lips. “Stevie?” he whispers my name.

“Yeah?”

“I’m never going to sleep without you by my side again.”

His words force me to take in a sharp breath. Why is him needing to sleep with me for comfort the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever heard? And why do I so badly want to give him what he needs?

My eyes close. “Is that right?”

Sebastian’s lips press against mine. They’re warm and perfect, reminding me what last night was like.

“Oh good, you guys are home.” A masculine voice startles me from behind.

Sebastian breaks our kiss, turning his head to the side.

“Christian,” Sebastian says his name with an annoyed undertone. “I thought you were staying at Nightrose Hall?”

Christian approaches us, half-eaten apple in his hand. “I am, but Aunt Mae let me in so I could speak to you both when you got back.” He takes a bite, then turns to me. “Hi, Stevie.”

“Hi.” I smile.

“Interesting weekend?” he taunts.

I exchange a quick look with Sebastian. Christian is like Sebastian’s brother, I’m sure he told him what happened between us.

“We’re going to drop off our things in my bedroom,” Sebastian tells him. “Meet me in my office in half an hour to debrief?”

“Sounds good.” Christian takes another bite of his apple, then bends to pick up the kitten. “I’ll be hanging out with Poe,” he says, before casually walking away.

Sebastian picks up our luggage. “Come on.”

I follow behind him down the long hall lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. The sun is shining today, with only a few dark clouds in the distance. I need to check in at the mortuary sometime this afternoon or evening. But something tells me I should go with Sebastian first.

He leads me into a large bedroom with a fireplace on one side and the biggest bed I’ve ever seen. It smells like Sebastian everywhere. I breathe in the scent of leather and smoke while taking in the dark colors of chocolate and black.

“Looks like a bachelor’s room,” I comment.

My eyes find massive windows taking up one entire wall covered in the same blackout curtains found in the bedroom of the East Wing.

Sebastian laughs. “I’m going to have Aunt Mae get your clothes and things moved from your room to mine.” He gestures toward the closet that’s basically the size of my entire apartment.

“I can’t believe I’m letting you talk me into this.”

Sebastian grabs my hips, yanking me into him. “Like I said, you don’t get a choice.”

I wrap my arms around the back of his neck and playfully lower my eyes. “I don’t like that.”

“Sorry.”

I glance at the clock on the wall, thinking there’s still time to head to the mortuary today.

“I need to go to Nevermore this afternoon,” I tell him. “I’m eager for a full report on how things have been going.”

“Of course, I figured you’d want to check in soon,” he mumbles into my skin, nuzzling my neck. My body breaks out into chills. “I’ll grab my stuff and follow you there.”