by JM Stewart
Which was exactly why she had to leave. She had a big decision to make. She knew now that Sebastian had told her nothing but the truth this weekend. That he cared was in everything he did. The way he touched her. The tenderness in his eyes when he looked at her. All those sweet gifts he’d sent after the first night they’d spent together. The coffee, the lunches, the cookies. Clearly, she’d had him pegged all wrong.
But her questions remained. Could he really be what she needed? Could he really devote himself to her and only her? Did it even matter anymore?
She’d never figure it out here with him. Here, they were in an intimate little cocoon where the entire rest of the world didn’t exist. If she stayed, if they took the ride home together, Sebastian would no doubt attempt to persuade her to his side. With his addicting kisses and wandering hands and his heartfelt admissions.
When what they needed was time. She needed time. To figure herself out. What she wanted, from him and from this relationship. What she was willing to risk for it. Deep down, did she really trust him? Was she willing to risk her heart, knowing it could all end the same way it had for poor Jean?
Only time would tell her that.
No, as cruel as it was to leave him this way, she’d only promised him the weekend, and it was over.
She crossed the space and leaned the note she’d written against the stone hearth, then knelt beside him. She kissed his forehead, then pushed to her feet and forced herself to turn and walk away. She closed the front door quietly behind her.
* * *
Several hours later, Christina sat in her tiny kitchen, staring absently out the window across the room. The large picture window was half the reason she’d bought this house. It gave her a spectacular view of the line of trees out in her backyard, swaying in the gentle breeze. The day had turned out glorious. Blue skies, puffy white clouds. They even had actual sun. The golden gleam filled her kitchen, illuminating the space.
Her fingers curled around her coffee cup, but the liquid within had long since gone cold. The muffin she’d warmed up sat untouched on the small china plate. Even though she hadn’t eaten in over twelve hours, she wasn’t hungry. She couldn’t stop thinking about Sebastian. The image of him, asleep on their makeshift bed, had burned itself into her mind. It replayed now like a CD with a scratch, taunting her. So did the thought of him waking alone and finding her gone. Was he angry? Hurt? The idea alone was a wound on her heart.
Coming home, she’d thought it would take her days to figure herself out, what she wanted. Was she willing to risk her heart again, knowing it could end the same way? Sitting here now, the overwhelming truth slid over her. She didn’t have to think and she didn’t need time. She knew what she wanted.
Him. She missed him. The thought of never again getting to experience what they had this weekend left her with an emptiness inside.
It made no sense, really. Logic told her they needed to take it slow, reminded her that she’d sworn after Craig she’d never rush headlong into a serious relationship. Neither could she deny the truth staring her in the face. Her mind kept going round and round a single point: whether it lasted one year or forever, she still wanted him.
This weekend had only proven one thing—that if anybody was worth taking a chance on, it was him. It had been in his touch. He’d staked his claim on her and every cell in her body said she was his. From the tip of her nose to the roots of her hair to the soles of her feet. Every molecule belonged to him.
The buzz of the front doorbell sounded through the house, interrupting her thoughts. With a sigh, she abandoned her cold breakfast and made her way to the foyer. She forced a polite smile but it fell the instant she pulled open the door. On the other side of the threshold, Sebastian stood with his arms folded across his chest, an angry scowl forming deep grooves between his brows. A five o’clock shadow graced his jaw, suggesting he hadn’t been home yet.
Her heart hammered. Cleary he’d come straight here. Though why she should have expected anything less, she didn’t know. Sebastian wasn’t the type of man who took no for an answer. He faced problems head-on and worked at them until he found a clear answer. He’d always teased her for the way she barged into his life, but the truth was, he did it, too. They really were alike in that respect.
“You have this really bad habit of running out while I’m asleep.”
Her heartbeat picked up speed, sending her blood racing through her veins. She swallowed hard. He’d come to confront her. She dropped her gaze to the floor, flexing her toes against the dark wood. Heat flooded her cheeks and the right words refused to come.
She closed her eyes for a moment and drew a lungful of much needed oxygen, drawing in courage along with it. He deserved the truth.
A little more settled, she opened her eyes again and forced herself to meet his gaze. “I’m scared, Sebastian. After Craig, I promised myself I’d never do it again, I’d never be someone’s naïve fool, following my heart.”
He dropped his arms and crossed the threshold, stepped into her personal space, and backed her against the wall adjacent to the doorway. He set his hands on either side of her head. The look on his face, a mixture of tenderness and heat and a touch of irritation, had her breath halting in her lungs. “I know. And I know you said you needed time, but I came over to warn you. I’ve made a decision I’m setting into motion this morning. I’m also here to tell you that if you think I’m going to let you walk out of my life and go back to the nothing we had, you need to think again.”
Christina opened her mouth and shook her head, ready to explain, but Sebastian pinched her lips shut. When she mumbled a protest, he grinned, white-toothed and sexy as hell. When she quieted, he released her mouth.
“No more arguments. Do what you have to do. Run. Keep me at arm’s length. I don’t care. I’ll wait. You’re right. I hurt Jean. The truth is, I had to let her go because I didn’t love her the way she loved me.” He leaned in again, this time so close his warm, minty breath whispered over her lips. “So, you do what you have to do, baby, but mark my words. One day, Christina McKenzie, I will marry you. I’ll wait you out for as long as I have to, but you should know me well enough by now to know I don’t give up easily.”
He brushed his mouth over hers, the softest of kisses, enough to melt her knees, then stepped back.
“We’ll talk more later. I’ve made an appointment with my lawyer.”
And with that, he disappeared out the door. By the time she’d managed to calm her breathing and find her brain again, the quiet purr of his limo’s engine was fading into the distance.
As she straightened off the wall, his words came back to her. “I came over to warn you. I’ve made a decision I’m setting in motion this morning.”
Her mind flitted through a million possibilities, then settled on one with heart-stopping clarity. His father’s will. She bit her lower lip, gnashing it between her teeth. But what did he mean? Set what into motion?
Determination swelled behind her like a locomotive. She didn’t know, but she knew who might. Caden.
She strode into the kitchen, grabbed her purse off the table, slipped on some heels, and jogged out the door to her car in the driveway. She’d coax the truth out of Caden if she had to.
Five minutes later, she stepped out of the elevator into the private vestibule of Caden and Hannah’s condo downtown. She knocked on the door, then stepped back to wait. Silence came from within. Being a Saturday, she shouldn’t be surprised, but Caden had always been a morning person. She knocked again. This time distinct grumbling registered on the other side and the door finally opened. Caden’s tall, broad form filled the doorway.
Wearing only his pajama bottoms and an irritated scowl, he folded his arms. “Do I look like Grand Central Station to you? Can’t you people sleep in on Sunday?”
“Oh, let her in.” Hannah’s soft voice drifted from behind him. Seconds later, the door pulled open wider and Hannah appeared at his side, wearing a pale pink satin robe. She offered a gentle
smile and leaned forward to wrap Christina in a hug. Hannah released her and gripped her hand instead, squeezing it. “Ignore Grumpy here. He hasn’t had his coffee yet.”
Caden’s scowl deepened. “It isn’t the coffee I’m missing right now.”
Hannah jerked her gaze to his, flushing to the roots of her hair. Clearly she’d interrupted more than breakfast.
“Oh my.” Her cheeks heating, Christina flashed an apologetic frown. “I’m so sorry to…interrupt. Baz came over this morning. Caden, he told me he’s setting something into motion—that he’s going to see his lawyer. What did he mean? And, please, don’t pretend you don’t know. You two have been joined at the hip since first grade. I know darn well he likely called you first.”
He sighed, dropped his arms, and stepped back, ushering her inside with a sweep of his hand. She followed him over the threshold and closed the door behind her.
Hannah flashed a polite smile, her eyes bright and warm. “Would you like some coffee?”
Christina shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m so sorry to impose. I won’t stay long, I promise.”
Hannah pursed her lips and waved a dismissive hand. “Sweetie, don’t even mention it. We weren’t sleeping, and I need to feed this little guy anyway.” She rubbed her belly, her eyes taking on a loving, tender glow. She turned to Caden. “I’ll go make some coffee and give you two time to talk.”
“Thanks, babe.” He wrapped an arm around Hannah’s back, pulled her in for a tender, lingering kiss, and waited until she waddled off toward the back of the house before turning to Christina. His earlier scowl returned. “He called me an hour ago. He’s officially refusing his father’s demands and signing the company over to the wife.”
Shock moved through her system, and for a moment, she could only stare, heart hammering in her ears. As Caden’s news settled in, a mixture of pain and regret clenched at her chest. Oh God. Had she forced him to make a difficult decision, to choose between her and his work?
She shook her head in misery, his form blurring before her as her gaze unfocused. “Because I told him I wouldn’t marry him.”
“I’ll let him fill you in. It’s his story.” Caden lifted a brow. “Care to tell me what happened? It kind of surprised me to hear from him this morning. He sounded hell-bent. Now suddenly here you are. What on earth happened?”
She nodded absently and dropped her gaze to the floor, studying the lines in the dark polished wood. From somewhere further inside, the sounds of water running filled the unbearable silence.
“I told him at the start of the weekend I wouldn’t marry him, and I left the cabin early this morning before he woke. Which is probably why he came to you first thing.” She looked up, meeting his gaze. “I’m scared, Caden. I wasn’t sure if I could really trust that he could be what I thought I needed, but this morning I was sitting at home alone, and I realized it didn’t matter. I still want him. That’s crazy, right?”
He sighed, took her by the shoulders, and drew her to him, enveloping her in his strong embrace. “Do you recall what you said to me when I stood onstage at the auction last year, after Hannah walked out?”
Christina laid her head on his chest, allowing herself the luxury of accepting the comfort he offered. They’d always been close. Whatever went on between them, no matter how angry they got at each other, Caden was always there, and not for the first time, she was grateful for his strength and support.
Her mind filled with the exact memory he mentioned. Christina didn’t have to ask to understand where this conversation was headed.
“I asked you if you loved her.” She’d never forget the panic in his eyes when Hannah left the room. She’d known right then he’d found his other half, because out of all the women who’d crossed his life, she’d never seen that look on his face before.
“And?”
A shudder of misery ran through her as her heart shouted the answer to his unspoken question.
“I love him. Desperately. The thought of going back to what we were, the nothing…” Her forehead rocked against his chest. “I can’t pretend nothing happened between us or go back to being nothing more to him than your sister. Now you tell me he’s signing the resorts over to his stepmother? I can’t let him do that, especially if he’s doing it for me.”
“I don’t think he’s doing it for entirely you, but…” He let out a sigh. “Yeah. That’s exactly how I felt, too, when Hannah walked out of the auction. I panicked. Wondered if I’d ever see her again. Do you remember your advice to me that night?”
Though she had a sneaking suspicion why he was asking, she looked up, needing to see his eyes. “I told you to go after her.”
“I’m giving you the same advice.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead and his voice lowered to a gentle murmur. “Go get him. He’s in love with you, too. I’ve known for a long time. You’re right. He doesn’t have the best track record, but even I know he’d give his life for you. Even if he is too stubborn to admit it.”
“He did. Admit it, I mean.” Her heart clenched with the memory. The vulnerability in Sebastian’s voice when he whispered the words made her ache all over again. He’d meant them. Those words from his mouth had scared the hell out of her.
“Ah. Now we’re getting somewhere. He spooked you.”
She couldn’t deny the truth of his statement. Sebastian had done exactly that, in large part because she hadn’t expected him to. She was so afraid he’d be another Craig, so sure of the image she’d always had of him.
Caden’s arms tightened around her for a brief moment; then he pulled back, holding her by the upper arms. His gaze had softened, now filling with gentle understanding. Growing up, he’d been her best friend, and over the years, they’d fought, as siblings often do, but when she needed him, Caden was always there. Even if he was so ticked at her he didn’t want to speak to her, she could always count on him when she needed him most. He was a standup guy, and it made him an excellent husband. She’d always known it would.
“Go after him. If you love him, too, Chris, you have to take the chance. There’s nobody better for you or more worth taking a chance on than him. And I’m not saying that because he’s my best friend. He’d do anything for you, and all he really wants is for you to be happy. It’s all he’s ever wanted.” Caden pressed another kiss to her forehead, then released her, pulled the front door open, and nodded in the direction of the quiet vestibule beyond. “Go. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”
* * *
Sebastian paced from one end of the living room to the other and back again. The city below him hummed with early morning activity as it slowly came awake. The harbor out beyond was calm and beautiful, but he couldn’t relax. He gave Lupe the weekends off, and the condo was too damn quiet.
An hour had passed since he’d left Christina standing in her foyer. His visit to his lawyer had been successful. The deal was done. Yet his stomach was still tied into a mass of nervous, tense knots. There was still one loose end. Christina. He’d woken this morning alone in front of a cold fireplace. The lack of her warmth against his side and the eerie quiet of the house had seeped over him. He didn’t need her note to know she’d snuck out while he slept.
He’d laid on those blankets, staring at the ceiling, for over an hour. Yeah, discovering she’d left him again without so much as a goodbye had hurt, and his heart had sank into his toes. He’d gone over everything he’d said to her the night before and everything he wanted to say to her as soon as he found her. He’d gone through about every emotion as well, from betrayal to anger to remorse. In the end, only one thing mattered.
Her. In the span of five minutes, as he finally picked himself up off the floor, got dressed, and called his driver to come get him, the decision only solidified in his mind. He’d been her, scared and running. He’d spent most of their adult lives running from the way he felt about her. He couldn’t give up on her now. He needed her too much. If it meant he had to wait for her to become comfortable with the changes in th
eir relationship, then he’d wait. If he gave up on her, then he didn’t deserve her, because she’d never given up on him.
He had to admit it felt good to take his life back, to spit his father’s last dying demand back in his face. He’d have to spend millions investing in a company that should have been his by default. Not to mention he was only making his stepmother richer, but he didn’t care. The hotels and resorts would finally be his. With any luck, so would Christina.
The doorbell sounded through the house, and Spike, seated in his usual spot on the windowsill, hopped down and took off running for the door.
Sebastian followed with less enthusiasm. “I doubt it’s her, buddy.”
He wished, but it was likely too soon to hope for much from Christina. He’d have to take his time with her and prove he meant what he said. She was it for him, the one and only, and if he had to wait another twenty years for her to marry him, then so be it.
He paused at the door, drew a deep breath, and ran a hand over his face. He had to admit, he wasn’t up for visitors. He had to look haggard at best. He hadn’t even shaved, hadn’t showered. All he’d really done was change his clothes and brush his teeth.
Pulling open the door, though, he found exactly what he hadn’t expected. Christina. She stood wearing a white blouse and a gray pencil skirt that ended at her knees. Her hair fell to her shoulders in soft waves. She looked beautiful as always.
He barely registered the tears in her eyes before she launched herself at him. She threw her arms around his neck and plastered her mouth to his. Too surprised and too damn grateful to see her to do much more than react, his arms closed around her of their own accord. Her soft mouth slanted over his and joy and relief expanded in his chest. He crushed her to him and kissed her back with everything he had. He didn’t care why she’d come or why the hell she was kissing him. Only that she was.