Rose In Bloom (22 page)

Sebastian

I’m still panic stricken from not being able to reach her by phone and now I learn she is with Lucas? None of this makes sense to me.

“Lucas? Why the hell are you with that motherfucker?” I exclaim, not trying to hold my fury inside.

After she’d left the house earlier, I hadn’t been able to think clearly enough to get anything done. I’d decided to head on into the office and see if I could hurry her back home where she belongs with me. The last thing I expected when I walked into my office was for Sara to tell me she’d never shown up. When I’d phoned Sam and he told me where he dropped her off, I was pissed. I ended up using lots of profanity and firing him. I can’t have her life risked on incompetent people.

“Calm down, Sebastian. I’m fine. H-he wants to talk to you.”

“I don’t have anything to say to that asshole! I want you to get away from him NOW!” I order.

I hear a bit of background noise before I hear his voice on the line.

“Don’t fucking yell at her, you piece of shit! I asked her to call you because I’m trying to help.”

“Help? Are you fucking kidding me right now? Give my wife back her goddamn phone. When I get my hands on you, you’re dead!”

“You’re dead if you don’t listen to me. And if you don’t let me help you, we’re all dead,” he says, keeping a calm even tone about his voice. He’s right. Even though this is his mess, he’s got to be the one to help clean it up. It’s the only way.

“Where are you?” I demand and he takes in a deep intake of air. I don’t have patience for him and I’m doing my best to keep my shit together right now.

“I’m texting you the address. We’ll be waiting here for you. Make sure you are not followed.”

Forty-five minutes later and I’m pulling onto a long gravel drive. The sun is quickly dropping behind Lake Austin. The huge white house is spectacular and very well kept for its obvious age. This place looks to be one of the biggest lots on the lake.

Exiting the car, it takes me all of two seconds to feel her. She stands on the front porch holding her stomach with a troubled look on her face. I hate all of this, but right now, I hate the motherfucker that is standing behind her. For a minute, my mind goes somewhere it shouldn’t.

This could be her life now. What if she had chosen him instead of me? What if the life growing inside of her wasn’t mine? Could I have ever survived? The answer cuts into me like a sharp blade. No. Losing her isn’t something I’d ever survive. I’d die without her, not by taking my own life, but simply because my heart wouldn’t beat without her.

My eyes leave her gorgeous face as I turn my attention to Lucas. Slowly, I climb up the large wooden porch steps and hold my arms out to my wife. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I feel the fear inside of her.

“Don’t be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad, baby. Not at you, at least,” I say, kissing her hair. God, she smells so fucking good. Everything about her calms me.

“Please, just listen to what he has to say. Promise me you won’t lose your temper.”

“I don’t make promises that I can’t keep, baby.”

“It’s fine, Skylar. I can keep control of the situation even if your husband doesn’t think he can,” Lucas chimes in behind her. When I clench my jaw and fists, Skylar places her hands on my face and makes me look at her.

“Listen to what he has to say. That’s all I’m asking. Please.”

Please? I can’t deny this woman anything. It is hopeless. If she were to ask me to bring her the stars in the sky, I would, or I’d die trying.

I take her hands in mine and look down at them, holding them tightly. Leaning in, I give her a soft kiss on the lips.

“Leave us for a bit, okay?” I ask her, but she swallows the lump in her throat.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if–”

I cut her off by placing my finger on her lips.

“We’ll be fine. Let us talk alone.”

“You promised me that you wouldn’t keep me in the dark about any more stuff.”

“I know that, baby, but this is different. There are things you don’t need to be involved in for your own safety. This is one of them.” Before I can continue my argument, Lucas unexpectedly speaks.

“He’s right, Skylar. Let us talk. Why don’t you go in and fix some tea? I’ve still got that kind that you like in the cabinet from the last time we were here together.”

I snarl at him, but Skylar looks at me, begging me not to lose it.

“I’ll just be inside,” she says before opening the creaking screen door.

“Do you mind telling me why you are here with my wife, Drake?”

“Believe it or not, I brought her here to help. I needed to apologize.”

“It’s a little late for apologies, don’t you think? Besides, I don’t accept your apology.”

“My apology isn’t meant for you. It’s for her. I have been so hell bent on bringing you down for this that I didn’t think about her. Even if I can’t have her, I don’t think she should be with someone who makes her lie and protects a killer.”

“I know what I am, Drake. I live with it every fucking day. I was a stupid kid who fucked up and trusted his father. I’ve regretted leaving her that night ever since. By some miracle, I have her forgiveness and her love now. I know I don’t deserve her, but she is mine, not yours. We need to get that straight once and for all.”

“I know she isn’t mine. She never was.”

His words confuse me.

“I watched her for months Sebastian. Every single day she cried and mourned over you unlike anything I’ve ever seen. No matter what, I was determined to love her through it. I wanted to prove to her that, in the end, I’d always be there for her. That I’d never hurt her like you did. We loved each other, but she has never been in love with me. It is, and always will be, you that she loves. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still love her. I will love that woman until the day I die.”

“How is this going to work then? There is no way I can trust you to help us after everything you’ve said and done. How do I know you aren’t just trying to make a move to have me thrown in jail and then take what’s mine? I’d rather die than for that to happen.”

“I can’t take what will never be mine. I’ve already tried. The only thing I want is her safe and happy. Do I want her to be with you? Fuck no! But she loves you and I have to let her go. As much as I can, that is. I warn you Thorne, I protect what I love, and I will kill for her if I have to. I will keep her and that baby safe at all costs, even if that means working with you on my plan.”

“Let’s hear this plan of yours.”

Skylar

The sunlight spilling into our bedroom makes me groan in protest. I don’t know what time it had been when we finally arrived home last night. The last thing I remember is him laying me in our bed and pulling the covers over us. Now I’m awake and all alone in this large bed. I hate waking up like this, but I guess I will have to learn to get used to this since we will be apart for a while. I leave tonight for the airport. My plans weren’t to leave until Friday, but since Lucas and Sebastian had their meeting, they felt it was best to make a move fast on Maverick. Sebastian wanted me to leave this morning, but I have a doctor’s appointment for my monthly checkup and I don’t want to miss it. I look forward to those visits because I can never get enough of hearing my baby’s heartbeat. It soothes me in ways I can’t explain and right now, I need it.

Sebastian enters our bedroom looking like a divine perfect Greek God in his black and grey flannel lounging pants. The way they hug his hips and showcase his intoxicating V makes me want to rip them off with my teeth. God these pregnancy hormones are horrible. I want him all the damn time. Smiling knowingly at me, he raises his eye and stalks towards the bed.

“Like what you see there, Ms. Thorne?” The heat on my cheeks sets my skin on fire.

Damn this man!

“No, not at all,” I tease, unable to hide the smile on my face.

Before I know it, I’m on my back, and he is carefully straddling my body. My arms are held down firmly beside of my head, and he moves in closer to me. I zone in on his lips and my mind races as to where I crave that mouth to be.

Kiss me.

“I think someone needs something this morning,” he whispers against my ear as he presses a kiss to my skin. Slowly, he traces my neck and jaw with his tongue before blowing hot air back over the area, sending me into electrified chills.

I want him so much!

“Do you want me?” He breathes into my ear as he rotates his hardness into my opening.

“Yes,” I whisper, arching my back to the intense pleasure. He releases one hand and trails it down in between my legs. Pulling my thong to one side, he slides his fingers into me, groaning at how wet I am for him.

“Always. So. Ready. Taste how perfect you are,” he says, bringing his soaked fingers to my mouth and pressing them between my lips.

I wrap my legs around him and work my hips to grind against him. My hands shove down his pants just far enough for his long thick cock to spring free. He wastes no time pulling my panties aside again before plunging inside of me. At first, it takes my breath, but I want all of him. Raising my hips up, he slides further in and moans. Relentlessly, he begins working his cock in and out of me, sending ripples of sensations all through my body. Suddenly, those feverish movements turn to soft and gentle. Stopping, he looks down on me, his eyes glowing with love.

“Don’t stop,” I beg him, moving my hips to urge him on, but he doesn’t move.

Instead, he leans down and tenderly kisses me. Each slow stroke of his tongue in my mouth pulls at my throbbing core. This man is going to make me fucking cum just by kissing me. Leaving me breathless, he pulls out and gently slides my panties down my hips. Moving back between my legs, he pushes himself slowly into me, leaning down to grasp my face in his hands.

“I.”
Thrust.
“Love.”
Thrust. “
You.”
Thrust.

I feel the enormous pleasure building as it spirals out of control. My insides tighten and I press my nails into his ass urging him deeper.

“Sebastian,” I manage through a shaky voice as I struggle not to break his gaze. I watch as my husband comes apart above me, triggering my own release. His body shakes as I feel his warmth pulsate inside of me. My hips milk him for more and he groans at me like a savage. I don’t let go of him; I don’t want him pulling out of me. Right now, I need him inside of me.

We hold each other for a long time, kissing and touching tenderly. He lifts my hand, kissing each of my fingers before entwining his hand with mine. He plays with my wedding band for a few moments before he finally speaks.

“I don’t know how I’m going to put you on that plane tonight. I’d just as soon cut the heart out of my chest. It would be less painful, that’s for damn sure.”

“Don’t think about that right now. We still have the whole day together.”

“Then let’s spend it in bed,” he says, pulling me in for another kiss.

“We can’t silly. I’ve got a doctor’s appointment today,” I say, giggling as he nuzzles back into my neck.

I jump as I feel the baby moving and place his hand quickly over my stomach. Another tiny thump and I see his face light up. Leaning down, he raises my silk camisole, tracing his fingertips lightly over my skin before pressing his lips on my stomach.

“Hi, little princess. Did we shake you up in there? Don’t blame me. It’s your Mommy’s fault. She’s just so damn beautiful I can’t resist myself,” he says, smiling back up at me. I play with his hair as he rests his chin on my stomach, still staring into my eyes.