“What were you and your mother talking about so rudely in German earlier?” Sebastian asked.
“She doesn't like you,” Maris answered honestly. “She thinks you're bad for me.”
“Well, considering that you cheated on your husband with me, I don't think either one of us could deny that.”
There was a humored lilt to his voice. Mariss laughed.
“No, I suppose not.”
“I hope that doesn't change anything.” Sebastian stepped on the gas pedal and shifted.
“She may be my mother, but I'm an adult. I make my own decisions and the truth of the matter is, I chose to have sex with you that night, just like I did last night. You're a son of a bitch, but I didn't have to do it.”
Sebastian grinned. “I would have gotten you sooner or later. I always do.”
Mariss knew she should have been offended by that declaration, but with all the water under their bridge, she couldn't find it in herself to be.
It didn't take twenty minutes to get to the flat. With Sebastian showing off in his fancy car, it took about fifteen minutes. He parked in the garage and they took the elevator up to his floor. As they rode up, butterflies swirled in Mariss' stomach. She hadn't been back here since the last time… The phone call with Holden while she and Sebastian had sex hadn't gone exactly as planned.
“Nervous?” Sebastian asked.
Mariss nodded. “Just remembering.”
“Hard not to.”
The elevator came to a jerky stop and the doors opened. Sebastian motioned her forward and Mariss stepped into a hallway that felt longer than it actually was.
He took her hand in his and led her down the hall.
“You got the door fixed,” she said.
“Yes. Finally. Only took a year.”
He let them inside.
Nothing had changed. The apartment was as it had been a year ago. The same slate and chocolate brown motiff with its shiny tile floors and walls. Across the way, a tube furnace was the focal point of a living room made up simply by a sofa and chairs. Sebastian made simple so elegant.
This place was his home. There was no TV, nothing for distraction except for another Grand Piano against the far wall, facing the wide open room. Coming here, it was clear that the apartment in New York was merely a resting place when he was in town.
Mariss decended the clear glass steps into the living room, careful not to look down for fear of catching vertigo. Sebastian kept a firm hand on her back in case she fell.
She rubbed her arms. It was cool here. It hadn't been used for several months.
“The clothes are in the bedroom,” Sebastian said. “I'll be right back.”
“Shouldn't your designer have them?” Mariss asked as he walked away. She walked across the floor toward the piano.
“I wanted to check them before the show. He's not going to be happy about these changes,” Sebastian said, coming out of the bedroom with a large box of clothing. “That wasn't so hard.”
Mariss chuckled. “You just don't know how to give directions.”
“I gave very clear, concise directions,” he defended. “Mindy, well. I won't call names.”
Mariss shook her head. “Don't be mean to that girl. She works very hard for you.”
“Twice as hard as Juliet with half the results. Are you sure you don't want to trade?”
“No, thanks. Juliet and I are very happy together, but I appreciate the offer.”
Sebastian crept closer to her, his steps hesitant. “Oh, come now. Are you quite sure?”
“Quite,” Mariss nodded. She pressed her back against the piano.
Sebastian dropped the box on the sofa and closed the rest of the space between them with purpose.
“Now that I have you alone,” he said, right before he sealed his mouth over hers.
Mariss kissed him deeply. He might have started the kiss, but Mariss pushed it to the point that they both felt the fire kindle between them. She pressed her tongue into his mouth and he reciprocated, caressing it with his. His hand cupped the back of her head, deepening the already fevered kiss until there was no way they could get any closer.
Sebastian broke away, his eyes ablaze with lust as he looked down at her. “I shouldn't have brought Brenda,” he groaned. “That was irresponsible of me, knowing I'd want you so badly.”
Mariss laughed. “Since when do you care?”
His lips curled up in a slow grin that reduced her to a quivering puddle in his arms. Sebastian scooped her up and lifted her onto the piano.
“Take your shoes off.”
Mariss kicked her tennis shoes off and let them drop to the floor with a thunk thunk. Sebastian's hand curled into the waist of her yoga pants and he yanked them over her hips and dropped them to the floor as well.
“Lay back.”
Mariss did as commanded. Sebastian spread her legs. The moment his tongue touched her, she sighed with pleasure. At least she'd remembered to shave. Mariss giggled.
Sebastian looked at her over her body. “This is funny?”
“No, I was just thinking… It's a good thing I shaved.”
His face disappeared and his tongue slid over her again. Mariss moaned. Her head dropped against the piano and her back arched. Sebastian's tongue slipped inside her, pulling another moan from deep within her throat.
His finger replaced his tongue. Sebastian worked it inside her, crooking it at the end to hit just the right spot.
“Oh, Bassy,” she groaned.
“Mm hm.”
Mariss looked at him long enough to see self-satisfaction twerk up the corner of his beautiful mouth. His gaze locked with hers and she couldn't look away. The eroticism of that look in those eyes drove her up toward her pleasure.
Sebastian finally broke eye contact. His tongue found her again and Mariss almost exploded right there. Her body shook with pleasure. Sebastian's finger picked up the pace and he locked his lips around her, sucking furiously.
Mariss felt her climax build. It was so fast she didn't have time to warn him. She came, crying out, her body twisting and writhing. Sebastian didn't stop, even though her body shuddered, until she pushed him away. He came away grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Mariss reached for him and he went to her. In a tangle of arms and legs and lips, she kissed him, tasting herself on his lips.
“Bassy,” she moaned.
He lifted her from the piano and carried her to the sofa. Settling her on the back, her unfastened his jeans and set himself free. Mariss took it in her hands, caressing it for a moment, before she put her foot on the back of the sofa and positioned him at her opening. Sebastian thrust hard into.
Mariss screeched as she fell backward. Her back hit the sofa and her legs flipped over her head, propelling her to the floor. She landed on her face, half naked, on the dark blue shag rug.
“Mariss?”
Though she didn't make a sound, Mariss' body shook with laughter. She laughed so hard she had trouble catching her breath. When she looked up, Sebastian was leaning on the back of the sofa, his chin resting in his hand. A smile made his lips twitch. She could tell he was trying hard not to laugh at her. Mariss flipped over onto her back and stared up into his eyes.
“I blame you for that.”
“What don't you blame me for?”
She shook her head. “Holden never did that to me. I think you win.”
Sebastian chuckled.
“If you want me, you're going to have to come over here and take me on the floor.”
Sebastian's face melted into a preditory look that made her stomach flip with excitement. He rounded the sofa and knelt beside her. Stradling her so his knees were on either side of her hips, he bent to kiss her. The moment their lips met, all humor melted away, replaced by the frenzied need from a moment ago.
Sebastian pulled her knee up and entered her, slow and deliberate this time. “You're going to have to stop falling for me, Red,” he grunted as he pumped his hips, pressing deeper inside
her.
Mariss attempted to laugh, but it came out as a groan of pleasure as he bumped the end of her.
“That's more like it.” He nipped at her earlobe, then her jaw, working his way to her lips. His mouth hovered over hers, teasing, taunting. “Aren't you going to kiss me?” he asked.
Mariss wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. Using him as leverage, she slammed her hips into him. He moaned against the crook of her neck.
“Bassy, don't stop,” she whispered as her body clenched around him. She moaned low as she came. Her nails dug into his flesh and she cried out in his ear.
“Mariss,” he whispered. His body convulsed as he released himself inside her. He stayed there panting in her ear for just a moment.
“We need to get home,” he said softly. “They're going to suspect.”
“They'll suspect anyway,” Mariss said. “But we do have a lot of work to do before tomorrow.”
Sebastian pushed himself up and tucked himself away. He helped Mariss up and retrieved her pants and shoes from by the piano.
“Don't forget your clothes.”
Sebastian picked up the box. Mariss looked him over.
“You're so rumpled.”
“Well, I just had sex with you in my clothes. Of course, I'm rumpled.”
Sebastian kissed her mouth gently, but instead of pulling away, he lingered, his lips hovering.
“Are you okay?” she whispered.
“Yeah,” he replied, his voice soft. “I just…”
Sebastian frowned, but he didn't say anything else. She kissed him again and turned away, letting him know he didn't have to finish.
“It's cool. We need to get back. Mama has to get the clothes fitted.” Mariss climbed the stairs to the front door. “You coming?”
“Right here, sweetheart.”
His lips were at her ear, his breath warm in her hair. Mariss jumped. She pressed a hand to her heart as it raced from climax, fear, and impossible arousal. His chuckled was deep and sexy. How did one man have so much power over her hormones?
“Jerk.” She pulled the door open and marched into the hall.
The drive home was quick and windy. When they walked in the door, several sets of eyes turned to them.
“You think they know?” Mariss mumbled.
“Of course they know,” he said. “Look who you're talking to.” Sebastian held up the box. “I have the clothes. They were exactly where I told you they were.”
Mindy rolled her eyes at him and snatched the box. “Ms. Katrina, I think we should start fitting these clothes. It's going to be a long fucking night.”
“You're not lying,” Katrina agreed in German.
“What took so long?” Brenda asked, rising from the sofa. She saunted over to them, trying to throw her hips from side to side, but the effect wasn't very dramatic on her.
“We were waylaid.”
Brenda tried to put her arms around his neck, but Sebastian caught her wrists and shook his head.
“I need to shower first.”
Brenda's face clouded over and her eyes cut to Mariss. She looked her up and down with disgust.
“You fucked her didn't you?”
“Do not talk like that in my mother's house, Brenda,” Sebastian said forcefully.
The scowl on Brenda's face was unbecoming. “Sebastian-”
“Brenda, let it go. I'll shower and spend some time with you while they work on their fittings.”
“No. That's not fair. You're here with me.”
“No, Brenda. You're here with me. Don't you know who I am? Do you know what I do? Did you think you could change me?”
Brenda was silent as Sebastian's tone became an adamant growl.
“There's only one woman I would change for. You are someone I like to have around for company. I try not to hurt your feelings, but you keep pushing this. I told you that Mariss was a no-go. I told you that. Why do you think you're going to change it by being the reason I don't endulge in relationships?”
Mariss knew here eyes were wide with shock. She felt pure embarassment for Brenda and a little sympathy. Sebastian could be harsh sometimes, but he'd never done anything like this in public before. Maybe he was at his wit's end stressing about his show, or maybe he was just fed up. Whatever the reason, she put a hand on his arm to try and pull him back to the here and now.
“Sebastian, maybe you should save this for a private time.”
“No.” He shook her off and sent her a cruel look that said he knew what he was doing. “She wanted to do this in public, we'll handle it in public.”
“Sebastian, you need to stop,” Mariss pressed more harshly this time. “I get what you're saying, but you're as much out of line as she is.”
“I don't need your help,” Brenda snapped. “I don't need or want anything from you. The perfect one.”
“I am far from perfect,” Mariss said. “Not even Sebastian would say I'm perfect.”
“Then what is so great about you that you're the only one he listens to?”
There was a pregnant silence that stretched between them. Mariss didn't have an answer and Sebastian wasn't offering one. She fought not to look to him for an out. In the end, Brenda saved her the trouble of finding something to say.
“All I wanted was to be with him. Just me. For as long as I could. That's it. I don't get any attention from my husband. I just wanted attention, but he gives it all to you.”
“I'm sorry my husband died and ruined your plans,” Mariss snarled. “If you wanted attention, you should have found a man who wasn't the world's biggest player. That was your first mistake.”
Brenda growled and lunged at Mariss, her fist cocked back in much the same fashion as she had on the day Hellena had died. Sebastian caught her mid-air again and carried her across the room.
“That is enough!” His voice rang through the room. No one else was there. They'd all escaped moments before.
“She has you so hypnotized!” Brenda screeched. “Why can't she just leave you alone? She's always there, lurking, stealing you from me!”
“Why do you assume it's she who beguiles me? It has always been me chasing her. Always. One more outburst like this-”
“I'm done, Sebastian.” Brenda wriggled herself out of his grasp. Her chest heaved up and down, her nostrils flared. “I'm done.”
Sebastian straightened, his arms loose by his sides.
“That's fine. I'll get you a flight out in the morning.”
Brenda frowned. Obviously, she'd assumed her declaration would mean something to him, but she overestimated herself. Mariss watched as the realization dawned on her features and became tears in her eyes.
“If you want to leave me, you leave all of the perks and promises with me as well. You'd better decide which is most important to you. Mariss.” Sebastian turned to her.
“Oh, no,” she said. “Don't put me in the middle of your domestic. I appreciate you saving my face for the second time, but don't get me killed. You remember what happened the last time.”
He scowled at her. Mariss smiled and turned away from that wrathful look to find a similar look on her mother's face. Apparently, she hadn't run for cover when everyone else had.
“Don't start,” Mariss said in German, shaking her head. She shoved past her mother and into the kitchen where Juliet and Brit were talking quietly over more coffee.
“What the hell just happened?” Juliet asked. She leaned on the counter conspiritorially and Brit leaned with her. “Is that woman out of her mind?”
Mariss nodded. “Apparently, she thinks she can go head to head with him and win.”
“I've only ever known one person to do that.” Juliet pinned her with a pointed gaze. You made him fall in love with you. You ruined him for all other women. I just have one more question for you.”
“What's that?” Mariss flipped her hair over her shoulder and wished she had a rubberband to put it up with.
Juliet and Brit leaned in closer.
“I fell off the sofa.” Just thinking about it made her laugh. “It was the stupidest, hottest, most ridiculous, thing that's ever happened between us.” She looked from Juliet to Brit. “Oh, come on. Don't look at me like that.”
“You've fallen for him.”
“Shut up. I have not.” But she couldn't stop the stupid grin from taking over her face. “I need to do something with my hair before I freak out. And I need more coffee.”
“I'm about to brew some more.”
“I'll be back.”
Mariss went to her room and dug a rubberband from her bag to throw her hair up into a ponytail. As she turned to leave, Sebastian came in.
“Is Brenda okay?” she asked as he closed the door.
“She'll be fine. She probably won't leave tomorrow. I'm going to stay with her tonight. I just wanted to let you know.” He stood a foot away from her, his hands in his pockets. She could tell he wanted to reach for her.
“That's fine. Probably best. For her. I don't want her to have a nervous breakdown because of you. Well, worse than the one she just had.”
Sebastian smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. Mariss reached up and touched his cheek. His stubble was course against her fingers.
“You really want to stay with me tonight, don't you?”
He nodded once. “If I touch you now I won't leave.”
Mariss dropped her arm down by her side. “I'll see you in the morning. I have a long night ahead if we're going to get your stuff ready. Go on. I'll be fine.”
“Come get me if you need me. Promise.”
Mariss smiled. “I promise.”
With that, Sebastian turned and left. Mariss resigned herself to get no sleep as she met the other girls back in the kitchen.
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
CATWALKS AND PANIC ATTACKS
The day of the show started out bad. Mariss didn't get any sleep and things just digressed from there. Sebastian wouldn't admit that he was nervous, but he was nastier than normal, snapping at everyone and calling them names. Mariss included.
Martha cooked breakfast and Mariss joined the others in the kitchen. The smell of coffee and bacon wafted through the house, turning her stomach.
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