by Sarah Peis
When I got closer, I noticed a hair tie in her hand, and my mouth dropped. Is he letting her do his hair? It was a little longer on top, just long enough to put one side together.
I stopped in front of him and he finally acknowledged me, even if it was with an empty look. How could I have been so wrong about him? All the girls at work loved him. He was the first one they turned to if there was a problem with a customer. I hoped that wasn’t all a front and he really was a good guy who was just battling indigestion at the moment, which would explain his pinched expression.
Lena spotted me and cheered, throwing herself forward. Sebastian caught her and then handed her over.
“You’re with me,” he grunted. “Stay where you are. I have to grab my stuff.”
I was too stunned to utter a word in reply. His voice was the right amount of deep and growly, and my body wanted to go right back into swoon mode. But my brain was finally shaping up and kicking in, forcing my body into submission.
He didn’t wait for a reply since me waiting for him was a given due to the twenty or so big guys sitting around, and only one and a half of me to go up against them. Not that the half part, Lena, would be much help.
I stood awkwardly among the rough bikers, wondering how I had gotten to this point. I guess I still had all my fingers and toes, so things could have been worse.
Sebastian came back a few minutes later, a black duffel slung over his shoulder.
“Let’s go,” he said, walking past me.
“Okay, alrighty, well, nice to meet you all,” I called out to the room and then sprinted after Sebastian.
His long legs carried him across the vast space much quicker than my short legs could, and by the time we made it to the door, I was huffing and puffing.
Sebastian wordlessly reached for Lena, who again just stared at him. I was too stunned to stop him when he took her.
We walked to my car—well, he walked while I continued my slow jog—and he placed Lena in her car seat.
He stepped back and put his duffel in the trunk while I strapped my girl in. She seemed in surprisingly high spirits after just having spent time in a den of sin.
I got in the car, and as soon as my seat belt clicked into place, Sebastian took off.
He looked just as ridiculous as the guy driving me before, and I had to work hard not to laugh. His teeth were clenched, and I wondered how I would survive him in my space for the unforeseeable future.
CHAPTER THREE
“I have to go into work tonight,” I said to Sebastian as we walked into my house.
He grunted something akin to an agreement and put his duffel bag down next to the front door.
“And it’s almost time to pick Luca up.”
Another grunt.
Great. I hoped my kids wouldn’t start communicating like that.
I saw Lena pick up her book in the living room and open it. I was about to turn to the kitchen to get dinner started when I saw her pull something from between the pages and stick it in her mouth.
“Was that a ham slice?” Sebastian’s raspy voice sounded next to me.
I suppressed the shiver that was desperate to make its way down my spine at his nearness and nodded. “Looks like it.”
She must have hidden it in there this morning. I’d put ham sandwiches together for Luca’s lunch, and Lena wanted a slice. Guess she wasn’t intending on eating it right away. I just hoped she wouldn’t get sick from it.
“If you’re ever hungry, just lift up one of the couch cushions. Plenty of snacks under there,” I said and watched his eyes widen. I suppressed the snicker trying to escape and left Lena to her dolls and Sebastian to his mortification.
While I had some time, I set about making a lasagna for dinner. It was all about quick meals in my house. The simpler, the better.
“Button, it’s time to get Luca,” I called into the living room once I’d put the lasagna in the oven, ready to turn it on when we got back.
When there was no response, I went to look for her. Picking up her brother was usually her favorite thing to do. Especially since we walked, and she loved looking at every crack in the sidewalk, bug, and plant along the way. Which was why we had to leave now or risk being late.
What I didn’t expect when I walked into the living room was to find Sebastian sitting cross-legged in front of my daughter, helping her put a dress on her favorite doll, Clara.
I stared, mouth wide open. What is happening right now?
Sebastian looked up and dropped the doll like it was lava. He then jumped up and left the room without a word.
I was too stunned to say anything; instead I watched him walk out and disappear into the bathroom. The back view was just as delicious as the front. The best thing about him staying with me would definitely be the view.
“You ready?” I asked my smitten daughter.
“Where Seb?” she asked, watching the entry to the living room.
“Just getting ready so we can pick Luca up.”
After more coaxing, I got her to put on one shoe. The other one was apparently too yellow.
She took the one she was already wearing off again and tried on another pair. But by then she’d decided she wanted her yellow shoes after all. This was a familiar dance, and I’d discovered it was best to just go with it.
After ten minutes of back-and-forth, we settled on her sparkly unicorn sneaker on one foot and her yellow shoe on the other. I looked up and saw Sebastian leaning against the wall, watching us.
“You coming as well?” I asked.
“Of course,” he grunted and followed us to Luca’s preschool.
Lena chattered the whole way, including Sebastian in all her conversations.
We drew a lot of attention when we walked to the pickup area. Delilah, one of the moms I usually avoided at all costs, came straight over. She eyed Sebastian like he was her next meal.
“Moira, who’s your friend?” she asked, never taking her eyes off Sebastian.
I rolled my eyes at her. I didn’t think she’d gotten my name right once in the three times we’d talked. She was a snob, enjoyed showing off her money, and thought I didn’t fit into her neighborhood.
She wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t afford the house I was currently living in. But my friend’s boyfriend owned it and had rented it to me at a ridiculously low price. I’d have been stupid not to accept. So here I was in the fanciest neighborhood our small town had to offer, sticking out like a pink flamingo in a flock of geese.
But as long as I could pay tuition, she had to put up with me.
“Sebastian.” I waved in her direction. “This is Callie.”
Delilah huffed when I used the wrong name, and I fought hard not to snicker. She started it.
“It’s Delilah,” she introduced herself, holding out her manicured hand to Sebastian.
Not once did I look at either of them. I was sick of her pettiness. And besides, when I saw Luca come out, I had no reason to waste more time on one of Humptulips’ desperate housewives.
I waved, and Lena ran up to hug him. I joined their little huddle, raining kisses all over his face.
He was on the verge of not letting me kiss him in public anymore. But until he told me to cut it out, I would continue doing it.
So far all I got was an eye roll or exasperated breath. Which I chose to ignore.
“How was preschool?” I asked, taking his hand. Lena grabbed his other one, and we made our way down the sidewalk.
I refused to look in Sebastian’s direction. There was no way I could watch Delilah sink her claws into him. She was on husband number three and clearly working on number four. Maybe I should have told her he was in a motorcycle club. She wouldn’t be salivating all over him then. I knew her standards, and anything less than a doctor or lawyer just wouldn’t do.
“Why did you walk away?” Sebastian growled next to me, and I jumped. How could someone that big be that silent?
Luca gave him the side eye, not quite sure yet what to think
of him. I told him about our new roommate as soon as we started walking.
“I was just giving you two some privacy,” I snapped, eying him in my periphery.
He was moody and looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. I’d built him up so much in my head that it was hard to see my dreams get squashed by his size who-knew-what feet.
“What the fuck would I need privacy for?” he grunted.
“Language,” I hissed, making sure the kids didn’t hear him.
“They didn’t hear me,” he pointed out.
I gave him the side-eye. “That’s the only reason I haven’t hurt you yet.”
“You think you could take me?” he asked, amusement lacing his voice.
I shrugged. “If I had to.”
He made a noise that could loosely be interpreted as a laugh. “Do you even know any self-defense?”
“I have moves,” I said, concentrating on the sidewalk.
“Okay, show me.”
I stopped and looked up at him. “Show you?”
“Yes, show me what you got.”
I nodded and continued walking. “Okay. Just remember, you asked for it.”
We made it to the house a few minutes later and went into the backyard. The kids ran up to the sand pit, leaving me with Sebastian.
“Let’s do this,” I said, wringing my hands. Truth was I had no idea about self-defense. I didn’t know why I’d said it. Actually, I did. Sebastian had made me mad, and I’d just said the first thing that came to mind. Hopefully I wouldn’t regret it.
I didn’t get time to wallow in my stupidity before he was behind me. He put his arms around me and pulled me to him.
“Try to get out of my hold,” he said, his body plastered to mine.
My senses were suddenly on overload. My body tingled from the tips of my toes to my earlobes from being this close to him. I’d dreamed about being in this position for over a year and didn’t know how to react to the sensations overtaking my body.
The thought of him holding me so close. Caressing me. Protecting me. Worshipping at my feet.
Okay, enough, Nora. He’s pretending to attack you, not fondle you.
“You’re not moving. Why are you not moving?” Sebastian asked, his voice low.
I snapped out of my daydream and stepped on his foot. He loosened his hold, and I elbowed him in the stomach.
He grunted but didn’t let go. “Nice try, but you’re too small and weak for a move like that.”
Small and weak? Really? I lifted my foot again and kicked his shin with my heel. It helped that I was wearing wedges, and they dug right in.
This time his hold went slack, and I dropped down and turned around to knee him in the balls. He went down with a loud groan.
I stood over him with my hands on my hips, smirking and not feeling an ounce of remorse. “Small and weak enough for you?”
The kids came running when they saw Sebastian on the ground, and we all watched him as he lay on the grass, curled into a ball. Guess I hit him harder than I meant to. Whoops.
“Is his tummy hurting?” Luca asked.
Lena leaned down and patted his arm. “Seb sleepy?”
“He’ll be fine,” I told them. “Let’s get you guys ready for Stella.”
Stella had become one of my closest friends in the last year. We met in the apartment building where I used to live and had an instant connection. She lived there for a short while in her friend Willa’s apartment.
Sebastian heaved himself back up, swaying on his feet. I didn’t think I could stop him from toppling over if he couldn’t stand up on his own.
He was a six-foot-three giant, and I was a five-foot-two shortcake.
My dad was Swedish and huge. The only thing I’d inherited from him were his green eyes. I only knew a few Swedish words; my favorite was Sötnos, a term of endearment he used to call me, the direct translation of which was “sweet nose.” I got my height and looks from my Japanese mom. She never taught me a word of Japanese and refused to teach me anything about Japanese culture, except how to cook traditional food.
I never understood why tradition wasn’t important to either of them. They also didn’t care much about family and disowned me when they found out I was pregnant with Luca.
I hadn’t heard from them since they told me I had to choose between family or the baby. I obviously chose the baby.
Sebastian stayed on his feet and shot daggers at me when he limped past me. I rushed the kids inside behind him, running late as usual. Stella would be here soon.
The kids adored Stella, and the feeling was mutual. She was their fun aunt who provided endless entertainment.
We ate dinner, Sebastian having three servings and not saying a word the whole time we sat at the table. Afterward, the kids asked a million questions why Sebastian was staying over before finally having their bath. I was terrible at making things up so all I told them was that he was a friend who would be sleeping on our couch.
A knock on the door made me smile, and then a key turned in the lock. Stella walked inside, greeting me with a hug.
She froze when she embraced me, and I leaned back to see what was going on. Her eyes were stuck to a spot behind me, and I released her and turned. Sebastian was standing there with a scowl on his face.
“Does she always just walk inside?” he asked, nodding at Stella.
“She’s got a key. So yes,” I answered, daring him to continue arguing with me.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, and I ignored him. I had to get changed or I’d be late again.
“Stella, this is my new roommate, Sebastian. Sebastian, this is one of my best friends, Stella. She watches the kids for me when I have to work.”
The kids raced up to Stella to greet her like they hadn’t seen her in weeks, and I went in search of my shoes and bag.
When I came back a few minutes later, Stella was waiting for me.
“Who is Sebastian, and why is he staying with you?” she asked, arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapping impatiently.
“He’s just a friend who needed a place to stay. And I’m late for work,” I said, wanting to avoid an inquisition but was also running late. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Fine,” she huffed.
I shot her a grateful smile and put my shoes on.
“I’m ready,” I said, walking up to Sebastian.
The kids squeezed in next to Stella, who had taken a seat on the couch.
“We’re running late,” he said. He didn’t really look put out by it, making it sound more like an observation than an accusation.
“We’re taking the bike. I’m not trying to fold myself into your car again,” Sebastian said when we were outside after I said goodbye to the kids and Stella.
“Where did the bike come from?” I asked, frowning at the shiny motorcycle sitting in my driveway behind my rusty car.
“Chains dropped it off when he picked up his bike. Now get on.”
He held out a purple helmet that I refused to take. “No way am I getting on that death trap. I have kids to live for. And maybe one day I’ll be rich enough to find out what lobster tastes like. I’m not ready to die before that happens.”
“Put on the helmet,” Sebastian instructed, not impressed.
I nearly burst out laughing at the sight of him dangling the girly helmet in front of me. I wondered where he’d gotten one in my size from this quickly. And a purple one at that. I had to admit, if I had to wear any helmet, I’d choose one just like it.
I crossed my arms over my chest and shook my head. “No way.”
“I see you once again choose the hard way.”
He put the helmet on my head himself and had it strapped on before I could rip it off again. Then he picked me up and sat me on the bike. Before I could figure out how to get off again, he’d climbed on in front of me and we were taking off.
I let out a very undignified scream, and my arms instinctively wound around his middle. It automatically moved my body closer t
o him, and I found myself plastered to his back.
My lady bits were doing a happy dance, and my boobs tried to rub up against him like they hadn’t been let out in years. Which admittedly they hadn’t, but they should really have a bit more self-control at this stage.
Guess this isn’t so bad.
The ride was depressingly short, and when we stopped in front of the club, I had to peel myself off Sebastian.
Once back on solid ground, I fumbled to pull the helmet off with little success. The little sucker might have to stay on.
Sebastian batted my hands away and undid the strap for me. He held my gaze the whole time. He had the smolder down to a fine art.
I really had to get over this annoying little crush of mine. He was a rude and ignorant brute who was a member of the gang that kidnapped me. I needed to remember that.
He walked next to me to the back entrance, and my steps slowed the closer we got. I hadn’t done my required time outside yet. I wasn’t ready to go in and stopped next to the door, leaning my back against the wall.
“You go on ahead. I’ll be there soon,” I said, waving Sebastian off.
I tilted my head up until I hit brick and closed my eyes. I just needed a minute. The ride had taken my mind off my impending shift, but as soon as we were in front of the building, it all came crashing back, suffocating me.
“What are you doing?” Sebastian asked, making me lose my count.
“I just need a minute,” I said, not opening my eyes. “I’ll meet you inside.”
“Are you feeling sick?”
“No. Go away.”
“You’re my responsibility until Prez says otherwise. So no, I’m not going away. Now what’s going on?”
I opened my eyes with a sigh and was met with Sebastian’s deep frown.
“I can’t go in yet,” I responded.
He tilted his head, looking adorably confused. “Why not? Your shift starts in five minutes.”
“That gives me four more to waste,” I said.
Sebastian studied me for a moment, his eyes roaming my body, seemingly cataloguing every inch. When he was satisfied I looked healthy enough, he stepped to the side and crossed his arms.