Page 14 of Worth the Heat
“Your girl?” Amelia sputters. “Okay. Um, well. I’m sorry. I’ll go.”
Sebastian’s arms wrap around me from behind as we watch Amelia walk quickly across the street. His breath is warm against my ear as he whispers, “Sloppy seconds? Brutal. Absolutely brutal. Bet that felt good too, didn’t it?”
“It did,” I confess. His arms tighten momentarily before he drops them. I turn to face him. “I don’t believe I’d have been as forceful had I been alone. I appreciated having the support.”
He gives me a lopsided smile. “Anytime,Mami.”
“Mami?” I sputter, a horrified look covering my face. “I’m not a mom.”
He chuckles. “It’s the same as calling someone baby.”
“I have never heard that from anyone.”
His eyebrows raise. “Have you ever dated a Puerto Rican?”
I shake my head.
“That’s why.” He walks me to my car, then leans in to kiss my forehead, shocking me into silence. “You let me know when you’re finally gonna let me take you on that date,mi Cielo.”
Sebastian saunters away, and my eyes drift to unabashedly check out his butt.
He has a really nice ass.
SEBASTIAN
The girls look disappointed when I walk back in alone, probably expecting me to leave with Isabella or drag her back inside. I’d do neither of those things. First, it’s not my style to push a woman past her comfort zone. I’m also not one to chase someone who doesn’t necessarily want to be chased. For something to work with Isabella, it will take patience, finesse, and a whole lot of luck.
Rapping my knuckle against the table, I wave to everyone. “I’m gonna head out. Let you lovebirds enjoy a triple date.”
Dominic stands, coming to shake my hand. “You alright?”
“Yeah. Isabella is on her way home.” I turn back toward the door, surprised when Dominic continues to walk beside me.
He lowers his voice, leaning in to say quietly, “I half expected you to take her home. Or at the very least, follow her.”
I chuckle. “Debated on it. But any progress I make with her will immediately go backward if I break her trust, or make her feel like I don’t respect her. It’s slow going right now, but we’re moving in the right direction.”
“Oh yeah?” he asks, a smile sliding across his face.
“I kissed her head tonight!” I burst out in excitement, then feel immediate humiliation as everyone laughs. I didn’t intend for everyone to hear me, and I’m suddenly defensive over them laughing at my reaction. Or worse, laughing at Isabella’s feelings. “It may not seem like it, but it’s a big deal. She’s barely let me hold her hand.”
“Isabella has never been a very touchy-feely kind of woman,” Arianna pipes up. “You should probably know that so you’re prepared for when she shoots you down in public. She doesn’t even like hugging any of us.”
Hannah nods. “I immediately hugged her when I first met her, and it took months before the awkwardness disappeared. She definitely won’t be participating in a PDA anytime soon.”
My heart sinks a little, because I am incredibly tactile in showing my affection for a partner. Physical touch, I learned, is my love language, with acts of service a close second. Shaking my head, I say, “I don’t care. I’ll do whatever she’s comfortable with. I just need her to give me a chance.”
Heading home, I’m surprised when my phone rings only a few minutes after leaving the restaurant, and I see it’s Luca calling. “Miss me already?”
“Where are you?” he asks strongly.
“Only a mile from you. Why?”
“In what direction? Are you close to Isabella’s apartment?”
Ice fills my veins. “Yes, why? What happened? Is she okay?”
“Her neighbor called Alex. She heard Isabella scream, and now she’s not answering her phone. No fucking clue why the neighbor called Alex instead of calling the police. Alex is calling his sergeant, and I’m on my way to her apartment, but since you’ve already left, you’re closer.”
