Page 49 of King of Clubs

He nodded slowly as if he were puzzled by the notion before his look of bewilderment wiped clean, and I was the one left wondering.

“How was work today?” He asked, strategically changing the subject.

“Soooo good. I love my job, it really is a breath of fresh air. I get paid to spend time with amazing kids. Kids who just want to talk and play games and ask the most random questions. Some days I come home ready for a wine and a nap, but most days are incredible. Like today, I spent an hour playing table tennis with one of the young ones and at the end he thanked me. As if giving him my time was something he didn’t deserve. He told me he would usually fold the table and play against himself because no one really played with him. He is ten years old, Seb. It’s heartbreaking.” Shrugging the sadness away, I took a sip of my drink before I gave him another twenty minute spiel he didn’t ask for.

“Those kids sound lucky to have you. Your face lights up when you speak about them. Why did you ever leave in the first place?”

I sighed, not wanting to ruin the beginning of an amazing date but not wanting to lie. Who was I kidding, he already met the guy so this wouldn’t be a surprise given how Lucas behaved at Nexus.

“My ex preferred me to stay home. I realise how 1950s that sounds but I was never career driven, so in some ways it made sense. In theory anyway. In practice, not so much. He just wanted control. I left a job I loved for all the wrong reasons and – well – I learnt a valuable lesson. Control is something I will never again forfeit.”

He paused, placing both palms on the bench, his penetrating stare stripping me bare.

“Not all control is unhealthy. Your sack of shit ex just sounds as though his intentions were self-centred. Control can be a good thing for both parties but only when there is trust.”

My palms were sweating, his unblinking glare combining with the ferocity of his words sending my pulse into overdrive.

“How so?” I dared to whisper, desperate to know more. Suddenly curious to understand and experience the control he was alluding to.

Seb slowly walked around the island bench, his eyes never leaving my own as he came to stand behind me encasing my body with his own. My breathing became more erratic as the pads of his fingers glided down my arms, featherlight with a deliberate grace, yet heavy enough to ignite a ripple of sensation across my skin. He twirled the yellow woven bracelet I was wearing tonight – a new colour to represent the warmth and energy I’d been feeling lately – before those same fingers delicately rose and grazed the nape of my neck, bringing my hair across to one side.

“Trusting someone enough to allow them full control can be an act of pleasure,” he cuffed my wrists in his grip, his whispered words enticingly close to my ear. “When both people are willing and the goal is mutually beneficial, control can be sexy. But only if it comes with good intentions and open communication.” He grazed his nose down my neck and with the firm grasp around my wrists and his solid chest pressed to my back I felt confined in the best of ways.

“Is this okay?” He asked, one hand skimming up my arm before settling delicately around my throat as I nodded. “I can’t tell you how often I’ve thought about you like this.” My thighs squeezed tight as I began to ache.

Jesus, I was weak for this man and would give him control over my entire life if he would only soothe the throbbing between my legs.

“It’s part of being memorable,” I breathed, trying to maintain some semblance of power.

“Your unbridled honesty is magnetic. Your mind is my kryptonite. But your body - so pliant and willing - is my undoing,” he confessed, before his body suddenly vacated the space around my own.

“Dinner is almost ready,” he stated as if he hadn't just altered my universe and my unchecked desire wasn’t a third member in the room.

Finishing the rest of my drink and sliding it across the bench I shook my head, “Mr. Thoughtful needs a warning sign,” I muttered and the surreptitious grin he shot my way was enough to remind me how very dangerous he was for my heart. There was no confuting I was undeniably attracted to Sebastian. He was easy to be around, ignited a need in me with little effort and made me feel safe – all very new and exciting things and a stark reminder that I needed to be very careful. Because the man in front of me had the power to shatter my world.

Marlee

Chapter Nineteen

“Can I just apologise again for falling asleep. I’m actually mortified, but also, I blame you,” I said, reaching for the handle of the car door. After dinner we had moved to the lounge to watch the waves fall over the beach. The comfort of his chest mixed with the view was enough to lull me to sleep until he woke me, with whispered words and a gentle touch.

“Me? How is it my fault?” He asked, his lips creasing with a smirk.

“You kept me awake until an ungodly hour discussing allergies and then gave me a pillow like that,” I answered sarcastically with a swirl of my finger in the vicinity of his torso. “Would you believe me if I said I usually don’t sleep well, so I might need to borrow you more often.”

His smirk turned into a fully-fledged grin. “Happy to be of service,” he replied, opening his door before coming around to mine.

It had to be well after midnight and while spring was here, there was still a definite chill in the air. I could see Adam, ready to open the door for any late-night arrivals, but I turned back to Seb hoping he didn’t see me just yet.

“I had a really nice time tonight. Thank you for a delicious dinner and a good nap,” I grinned, the embarrassment of being a boring date forgotten.

He grazed his thumb across my chin and smiled gently before pressing a kiss to my still smiling cheeks.

“Can I see you again soon?” He asked.

“Definitely,” I answered, while internally wishing he wasn’t such a gentleman and would just grab me and kiss me properly. But he was either chivalrous or my teeth chattering killed the mood as he kissed me again on the cheek and stepped back.

“Go inside where it’s warm,” he farewelled, and I mentally castigated the cool evening temperature for ending what may have been a proper good night kiss.

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