Page 72 of King of Clubs

“What are you doing around here?” She asked. “You just missed my brother actually. He will be upset to have missed you,” her eyes darted around, almost as though she were worried.

That made two of us.

Why was I so stupidly brazen, coming to get breakfast alone, especially when I received that strange message only yesterday.

“I…ummm,” I didn’t know how to respond and my chest tightened as I drew in a couple of deep breaths, looking out to the horizon for an answer. My hands were clammy and I squeezed the paper bag tighter in an attempt to ground myself.

An arm curled around my waist and I jumped, thinking it was Lucas but when the hand ran along my waist exactly the way I loved, I took a breath.

“I wondered where you'd snuck off too,” the familiar scent and calming timbre of Sebastian’s voice flooded me with warmth and I leaned into him, my breaths easing instantly.

Thank goodness. The relief was palpable. The tight knot in my chest loosening.

Lori’s eyes flicked from Seb back to me, her expression unreadable. With no intention of introducing the two I took the opportunity to escape.

“Sorry, Lori, we have to get going,” I held up my still full hands as if in explanation and Seb jumped on board, taking the bags and tray of drinks before leading me away.

He didn’t speak as we covered the short distance back, only kissing me on the top of my head, somehow knowing I was on the edge. My head was spinning and I flicked off my shoes and let out a deep breath when we stepped into his apartment.

I am okay. I am safe. Sebastian is here.

After putting the bags on the bench, he came back to where I was still standing in the entryway, breathing through what just happened. He reached his arms out, ready to bring me into his embrace, but I held my hands out to stop him as I worked myself out of the spiral that was on the verge of forming.

I had come too far to let her send me into one and I needed to bring myself back to earth on my own. I traced a circle in my palm with my thumb listening to the soft sounds of the music Seb left playing while he came in search of me.

“When you’re ready, babe, I’m here to listen,” his voice was close but not in my space and the rush of adoration shocked my mind until he became my focus.

God, he was a good man.

I nodded, acknowledging I heard him as my breathing returned to normal.

When I felt steady enough to move I reached for his hand and walked into the kitchen where our breakfast was waiting. My appetite was gone, but I forced myself to pick at an almond croissant as we sat at the island.

“You came looking for me?” I asked curiously.

“When you weren’t in bed I freaked out a little. Perhaps it was a little eager of me,” I smiled softly at his honesty. He was so cute.

“That was the woman you saw at my club the first night we met, yeah?”

“Yes,” I answered, pausing to have a sip of my coffee, “Lori. She is Lucas’ sister. I’m glad you came though because I was sweating bullets and about to freak out right in front of her. I thought about throwing the coffee at her and bolting, but that seemed a little dramatic, TBH,” he grinned his big crooked smile before engulfing me.

“The TBH is back,” his chest rumbled with laughter, getting louder when I tapped his back admonishingly.

“I can’t be held accountable for that right now, I am rattled.”

“Okay, but only this time.”

I wanted to tell him about the text message, explain why seeing Lori triggered me the way it did, but I couldn’t continue to be a burden when things were so new and perfect. This morning proved how much of a mess I was and I hated being the girl with baggage when he craved structure and organisation. I wasn’t even sure how he coped when his world was chaotic and would hate to be the cause. Although, it didn’t sit well that I was keeping this from him, especially when I knew he would likely be nothing other than supportive. The back and forth was confusing to say the least, but the fear of losing him won out and I remained tight lipped, for now.

Leaning over me he reached for his piccolo, taking a sip and quickly scrunching his face.

“Karla is a lovely woman but she has nothing on me. I’m making us another.”

“Good, then I’ll have two. We have another thirteen pastries to eat anyway because I couldn’t decide.”

His laughter as he nodded knowingly melted the last of my lingering panic and we settled into conversation as we devoured far too many sweets on an otherwise empty stomach.

Marlee

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