Elena usually had no problem sleeping in unfamiliar beds. Years of living a nomadic lifestyle, where comfort and familiarity bred danger, had trained her body to fall asleep the moment her head hit the pillow. But as she lay on the narrow daybed in Sebastian’s guest room slash office and stared at the ceiling, sleep refused to come.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the goggles in her bag, about what they meant. Someone obviously wanted her out of town, but who? And why?
Then she remembered Chloe’s last memory; the large hands wrapped around her neck, the burn of water filling her lungs. Something in that memory bothered her, a sense of despair caused by more than the assault.
She knew him.
That was the unpleasant fact she’d been dancing around all day. Chloe had known her murderer, had trusted him.
What did that mean?
She lifted the blanket from her chest and looked at the yellow boa resting above her breasts. “It would help if you could tell me who he is.” The shade curled into a tighter ball, tucking its head beneath its body.
So much for that.
She tossed and turned. Had she met the murderer? Walked right past him, talked to him, without knowing?
In the end, it wasn’t anxiety or insomnia that got her out of bed but the rumbling in her stomach. She kicked off the heavy blankets and stepped into the hallway, her cold toes numb on the wood floor, one hand trailing along the wall. The headlights of the cars driving past the building shone through the windows and cast her shadow behind her in bursts of light.
She tiptoed down the hall, then stopped when she smelled something odd.
Freshly baked bread?
She peeked into the kitchen to see Sebastian crouched in front of the oven. He wore a pink, flower-print apron around his waist, oven mitts, and nothing else.
Wow.
His wide shoulders were dusted with curly dark hairs and graced by the same green tree python. It slithered around to look at her, then flicked its tongue and returned to its previous position.
She lowered her gaze to the apron strings tied around Sebastian’s narrow waist and then lower to the firm globes of his rear. Only then did she remember her manners and clear her throat. “Hey.”
Sebastian peeked over his shoulder. “Hey.” His gaze fell, and his mouth dropped open.
That’s when she realized her mistake—she was as naked as he.
“Oh God!”
She covered her breasts with her hands and backpedaled into the hallway, and then ran to the guest bedroom. She shrugged on her clothes before making her way back to the kitchen to find Sebastian sitting at the coffee table, dressed in baggy gray sweatpants and a black hoodie. His dark hair was adorably tousled, and when he smiled at her, it held a warmth that made her insides squeeze.
“Sorry about that,” she said, crossing the room to stand on the other side of the table, resting her hand on the back of a chair. It was awkward, clutching onto furniture, but it was better than occupying her hands in a way that betrayed her nervousness.
Sebastian smiled. “Don’t be. I hope you enjoyed the view as much as I did.”
Elena’s cheeks heated, and her memory supplied a flash of Sebastian’s sculpted backside. She shoved the image away and said, in a too-loud voice, “Are you baking?”
Sebastian folded his arms on top of the table. “Yeah. I couldn’t sleep. Sorry if I woke you.”
“No, I couldn’t sleep either.” She tapped her fingers on the back of the chair. “Why are you making bread?”
That warm smile again lighting up his face and making her stomach flutter. “I don’t know. But I love the smell of freshly baked bread.”
She nodded. “Me, too.” She pulled out the chair opposite Sebastian and sat down, scooting her chair forward.
What now? What do you say to someone after seeing them naked?
Knowing what was beneath his baggy sweater did little to cool the warmth curling in her stomach. He’d filled out since she’d seen him naked last. The pale, skinny boy she’d loved was gone, replaced by a toned, muscular stranger.
“I, uh, like your condo,” she said.
He chuckled. “Thanks. I like it too. That’s why I bought it.”
She could hear the teasing in his words, and it made her squirm.
Then the oven beeped, and they both rose, smacking their foreheads together. Elena thumped back, slid off her chair, and fell hard onto the floor.
“It’s fine,” she said, waving away Sebastian’s hand. “Get the bread.”
He nodded, then ran to the kitchen. She heard the oven opening and closing, a few short beeps, then a moment later, he clasped her hands and lifted her off the ground.
“So, how long before I can try your cooking?” she asked.
He grinned. “It needs to rest. Ideally, until tomorrow morning.”
She groaned. “Come on. Really? But it smells so good.”
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had homemade baked goods of any kind. Her mother had not been the kind to cook, and she’d never taken the time to learn.
“If milady insists.” He gave her a short bow, then returned to the kitchen, where he tapped the pan upside down onto a cutting board. The bread thumped out, and Elena grabbed for it, but Sebastian smacked her hand with an oven mitt. “Not yet. It’s too hot.”
“What kind of bread is it?” She leaned closer and inhaled the savory smell of oregano and cheese. “It smells like pizza.”
“That’s because it’s pizza bread. My mom always made it for us when we were kids. Don’t you remember? Here.” He twisted a chunk off the braided loaf with his gloved hands, then blew on it before handing it to her.
She took the piece in her fingers, tossing it from hand to hand until it was cool enough to handle, then sunk her teeth into it. It was soft, chewy, salty, and oh, so delicious. She finished the bite, then tapped Sebastian’s forearm and held out her open palm when he looked at her.
“No more until morning,” he said, crowding the bread with his body so she couldn’t reach it. “You won’t be able to sleep if you eat too much.”
“I won’t sleep either way,” she said. “Come on. I’m hungry.”
He sighed, then passed her another piece. This was better than the first, filled with small pieces of pepperoni and mushroom. As she licked the grease from her fingers, she caught his not-so-subtle shift away from her.
“Do you want a paper towel?” His voice was rough.
“No,” Elena said. She stepped closer, then licked the middle finger of her right hand from her palm to the tip of her finger. “Mm, delicious.”
“Is it?”
“See for yourself,” she said, raising her hand to touch his lips with her fingertips.
Without breaking eye contact, Sebastian took her hand in one of his, folded three of her fingers down, then slipped her index finger into his mouth. His tongue rasped against her skin, and the sensation made her nipples tighten.
He drew her finger out of his mouth, then unfolded her fingers and kissed her palm.
“You’re right,” he murmured into her skin. “You are delicious.”
She barely heard him over the beating of her heart in her ears.
What are you waiting for? Kiss him.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought their lips together. He stood as still as a statue, his arms at his side. After a moment of enjoying the warmth of his body, she pulled back.
“Isn’t this what you wanted?” she whispered against his lips. “Tonight, I’m all yours.”
She pressed her breasts against him and buried her nose in his neck. The rumbling in his chest reverberated through her body, and she took it as an encouragement to continue, grazing her teeth along the space where his shoulder met his neck. She bit lightly, then ran her tongue over the spot.
A hand crept beneath the waistband of her pants and cupped her rear. She squirmed, wanting to feel him inside her, and he obligingly drew his fingers down and dipped them between her legs. He slid his fingertips back and forth along her entrance before gently pressing inside. She arched her back and hissed in pleasure.
“Wait.” He gently disengaged, then cupped her face and rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs. “Not like this.” He touched his forehead to hers and sighed. “We’re both exhausted.”
She struggled out of his grip, pushing back angry tears. “Don’t you want me?” She hated the whine in her words but could not stop it. The sting of his rejection lashed her heart like a whip.
“God—” He grasped her hips and drew her against his chest, tucking her head beneath his chin and squeezing her in a tight grip. The jut of his erection pressed against her stomach.
“Feel that? That’s how much I want you.” He released her and stepped away. “But we’ve both been through a traumatic day. I don’t want you to make an emotional decision, then regret your choice tomorrow. When you come to me, I want you to be sure.” He turned away, his shoulders heaving. “Good night, Elena.”
“G-good night.” She took a step back, almost knocked a cup off the counter, then turned and fled.
****
Sleep was no easier in coming to Elena, with the bread sitting like a brick in her stomach and the memory of Sebastian’s lips tormenting her imagination. It was a heady feeling, knowing he was only a few feet away. She replayed the moment, his hands clasped around her hips, his tongue tangling with hers. He’d tasted like pizza, and his lips had been feather-light, like he expected her to shatter at the slightest touch. This was in stark contrast to the messy, wet kisses she’d shared with her past partners.
It was more than that, though. She felt safe with Sebastian so close. She longed to enter his room, crawl into his bed, cuddle against his chest, and feel his warmth surrounding her. The tension she lived with daily, which wrapped her in knots and had her jumping at every sound, was noticeably more bearable. He made her feel normal.
And now I’ve fucked it up.
Would he ever want her again after she’d thrown herself at him like a love-struck teenager?
Her pelvis was swollen and heavy, a sure sign she was in for a long and painful night. Her fingers fluttered over her nipples, and she imagined Sebastian’s mouth there, his tongue rasping over her most sensitive areas.
He’d nuzzle her breasts, then kiss his way down her stomach to her—
What am I doing?
The thought of pleasuring herself with Sebastian sleeping a few feet away sent a fresh burst of heat to her core, and she squirmed, wishing she’d packed one of her vibrators. Unfortunately, she had not considered her sexual needs when putting together her get-out-of-dodge bag, and it was unlikely she’d ever be able to go back.
Well, one does what one must.
She slid her hands down her sides. Every slight movement made the old bed creak and groan.
He’s right next door. He’ll hear me.
She imagined Sebastian listening to the soft moans as she pleasured herself. Maybe he’d even join her, stroking himself with one hand while muffling his moans with a pillow. Was he imagining her as she imagined him?
Then something thudded in the hallway, and she stilled her hands, panting hard. Had he heard her? She remained completely still, but the condo was silent. With a sigh of relief, she began her movements anew, imagining Sebastian’s coarse stubble brushing against her inner thigh. He’d slip two fingers inside her while rubbing her clit with his tongue.
Oh, God, Sebastian.
The pressure inside her pelvis grew but failed to crest. Tensing her muscles, she found the wave and rode it until her orgasm sizzled through her body and curled her toes. She rolled over to the cold side of the bed and tucked one of the extra pillows on the bed between her legs.
It would have to do.
****
It took a very long and cold shower to rid Sebastian of the image of Elena sucking her finger with half-lidded eyes. Then, after toweling himself dry, he remembered the woman of his dreams was sleeping only a few feet away, and he was immediately hard again.
Groaning, he got into bed and tried not to think about her soft hair, the salty taste of her skin. The way she’d gasped when he’d touched her. The feeling of her tongue caressing the inside of his mouth.
Damn.
He growled his frustration and rolled onto his back. He hadn’t imagined the way she’d toyed with him. She still had feelings for him, even after more than a decade apart.
Why the hell did I say no?
He flopped a hand over his face. It had seemed like the right thing to do. He didn’t want her for a night; he wanted her forever.
Those soft brown eyes popped into his mind again, followed by the brief flash of delectable curves he’d gotten when she’d stumbled into the kitchen nude. The pale, stringy girl he’d been obsessed with as a young adult had blossomed into a true beauty.
This is mortifying.
It had been a very long time since he’d come so close to losing control. But that’s what Elena did to him. She teased emotion out of him like a master.
With a silent apology to Elena, he indulged in a fantasy of seeing her spread beneath him, her dark hair splayed on his white sheets. The tension built until at last he found release.
Only then could he finally sleep.