Page 43 of Piece By Piece

“Reading something sounds great. Do you want me to start something from the top or is it okay if I recite from the book I’m currently reading?”

“Of course, it is. I don’t care what it is you say as long as you keep talking,” I tell him on accident. It’s just that I realize now how very beautiful his voice truly is, deep and velvety in this dimly lit room. Maybe it will be enough to keep my mind from tormenting me all night.

Sebastian reaches over to his nightstand and picks up a thick book. Then he starts reading without another look in my direction, presenting me with a very appealing view. He’s focused, I can see it in his sharp features.

The pages pass in a blur, and Sebastian’s voice grows distant as he loses himself in the story. Meanwhile, I’m too busy hanging on to his every word to worry about anything else. Every now and again, his eyes flick over to me and he grants me a smile. That does funny things to my heart.

When his words slowly become more and more slurred, I feel my own eyelids grow heavy. I hug the blanket closer to my chest, curling up further.

Finally, blissfully, I doze off and sink into a deep, uninterrupted slumber for the first time in weeks.

When I wake up, the first thing I take notice of is the sweat slicking the hair at the back of my neck to my skin. Yeah, it’s definitely uncomfortably warm. I guess that’s what happens when two people share a room without a window cracked open.

I try to throw the blanket off me only to find my arms pinned. A shockwave of fear bolts through me and my eyes fly open but instead of finding some intruder in front of me, I come face to face with a broad chest. A naked, chiseled chest.

I blink at the smooth skin, trying to find a memory of Sebastian taking his clothes off but he must have done that after I’d fallen asleep. I’m sure I’d remember otherwise.

I can’t get a very good look since he’s inches in front of me, my arms trapped in between our bodies while his are wrapped around my back.

It’s stifling. I don’t know how I slept in this position.

And yet, despite the sticky heat that clings to me, I find myself hesitant to pull away. I never woke up in someone’s arms before and it’s kind of nice, I guess. I’m tempted to just close my eyes again and snuggle a little closer.

Before I can do that, I remember my responsibilities for the day and the memories from last night come flying back. Me, breaking down at the party. Like an idiot. And as if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, I fell apart completely after finding Lily in that bathroom.

Of course, Sebastian, of all people, had to witness that whole shitshow.

Suddenly, I don’t find our proximity so comforting anymore. Instead, it feels invasive and generally too much. I push myself away from him with a not-so-gentle shove.

He startles awake right as I’m getting to my feet. “Oh, good morning,” he mumbles with a yawn. I look at him over my shoulder and make a move to leave his room.

“Morning,” I reply. His brows are drawing together, no doubt at my hurried mannarism, but I speak some more before he can question me. “Thanks again for letting me stay here, really. I have to get to work now,” I tell him, unsure whether that’s true since I don’t know what time it is.

Sebastian gives the clock on my nightstand a pointed look before bringing his disbelieving eyes back to me. “It’s five am, Aliena. You slept for barely three hours. Come back to bed.”

Oh. My shift doesn’t start until eleven. My steps slow but I don’t halt. I might as well go home already and do some chores. It’s not like I will be able to fall back to sleep anyways.

While I contemplate my next move, Sebastian climbs out of bed and walks toward me, his face neutral. I watch him come closer, trying not to make my ogling of his bare torso too obvious when really, it is a sight to see.

I knew he worked out and seeing his corded arms often when he wore short sleeves, I had proof that it showed. Still, knowing and seeing confirmation of my hunch are two different things, and seeing him in his bedroom only makes the sight feel more forbidden. More sensual.

Or maybe it’s the lack of sleep making me unreasonably horny.

“What are you doing?” I finally wonder aloud when he stops right in front of me. His smooth chuckle washes over me like a shot of tequila, making heat bloom in my stomach.

“I told you to come back to bed,” he offers.

“Well, I told you I had to get to work,” I retort. He doesn’t buy it. I can see it in his eyes.

“What time does that start?” he prompts.

“Eleven,” I mumble, looking away. He tsks. Then, with a smile of angelic innocence, he ducks so his head is near my waist and throws his arms around my middle. I squeal and try to step away but before I can escape, my feet are off the ground and I’m horizontally in the air.

“Sebastian! What are you doing?” I exclaim, clutching onto his back. His muscles flex beneath my touch and I hold on a little tighter. Coincidentally.

“Taking you back to bed,” he replies as he starts walking to the four-poster. His steps are even and unhurried as if I wasn’t slung over his shoulder like a heavy bag of potatoes.

“I told you I had to go, you caveman!” I protest, slapping his back softly. The next thing I know, I’m flying through the air and bouncing off the fluffy mattress. Once I still, I wipe the hair from my face and glare up at the man, who’s now triumphantly smiling down at me.

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