by Adriana Noir
He deliberated that for a long moment. “I appreciate your apology, but you aren’t being replaced.”
“Damn straight, pal. I know I never put that shit on my application, but I’m a selfish, monogamous prick. I don’t do threesomes. It’s either him or me.”
His lips quirked in a brief bid of amusement. “Are you jealous, Joshua?”
“Piss off, Baas,” he shot back before shrugging. “Maybe a bit.”
“Relax. I have no intentions of letting you go. Even if I wanted to, no one else would be able to put up with me.”
Josh snorted in agreement. “You got that right.” His broad shoulders relaxed a little and he slouched into a more comfortable position. “Now that that’s out of the way, do you want to tell me what is going on around here?”
“Meaning?” he asked, raising a brow.
“I mean Marx is on a warpath this morning. You would know this if you ever left your office, but that’s not the point. I don’t know what got up his ass, but he yanked half the new recruits out of formation and sent them outside with Bradley. The rest, he disappeared with. I haven’t seen him since, and there’s supposed to be a new batch of meat coming in by eleven.”
Frowning, he glanced up. “What?”
Josh scrubbed a hand through his hair, his laugh shaky. “Yeah, I know. Crazy, huh? From what I hear, it’s a decent sized group, too. Upwards of twenty or more.”
Lowering his face into his hand, Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose. This wasn’t good. Things were moving too fast. They were expanding too quickly. There wasn’t enough time to get to know the men, let alone decipher where they stood. He was losing ground, cornered on the ledge of some vast precipice where the earth kept eroding and falling away beneath his feet. Every time he tried to make a move, more kept crumbling.
“I will be there to greet them,” he stated, trying to keep his voice even. “Since Marx is tied up, you and the rest of Sector One can assist me in welcoming our new arrivals.”
“Sure thing. What do you want us to do until then?”
“Promoted or not, Vince is still the best surveillance technician we have. Grab him and see what you can round up on the facial scans. Maybe a new hit on Patrick James came in overnight.”
“Are you sure you don’t want some more alone time together?” Josh asked, making no effort to mask his derisive smirk. “The two of you have been awful cozy lately and I don’t want to step on any toes.”
Eyes narrowing, he cocked his head. Taking cue, Josh cleared his throat and stood.
“Right. I’ll get on that.”
All he managed was a mute nod in return. He waited until Josh left and shut the door behind him before slumping lower in his seat. Grimacing with a combination of annoyance and pain, he tented his fingers and squeezed, rubbing at the building ache behind his sinuses. The dull, persistent throb that had been plaguing him for the past few days was starting to return with a vengeance. His thoughts were a collision course too decimated and scattered to piece back together. What was he going to do now? How was he supposed to handle the steady influx of people he knew nothing about and, furthermore, could SKALS even handle that kind of abrupt strain?
Jack need to make his move, and he needed to make it quick.
~*~*~*~
Taylor stroked a hand over her belly and peeled the curtains back for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. The late afternoon sun was fading, but summer was approaching and long patches of shade still stretched across the grounds. She watched Sebastian approach in the reflective glare of the windowpane. His rich golden curls were still damp from his shower and his repeated attempts to tame them into submission with gel. A soft smile threatened as she watched him adjust his shirt collar. If she didn’t know any better, she would have guessed him to be just as nervous as she was.
His eyes locked with hers briefly in the window before he stole up behind her and wound his arms around her waist. Pressing against her back, he kissed her nape and smiled. “You’re glowing.”
“That’s a small plus in my favor. I’m so anxious right now I’m shaking,” she admitted.
“Relax, sweetheart. Dinner smells wonderful and you are beyond stunning. Your mother will be proud to see you have grown into such a beautiful and capable young woman.” Pulling her deeper into the cradle of his hips, he swayed lightly against her and kissed her neck again. “I know I certainly appreciate your talents.”
Laughing, she turned in his arms and tilted her head. “It’s not that difficult to cook and clean, Sebastian.”
“Perhaps not,” he agreed. “Yet it is still something many people fail to do on a consistent basis. Don’t demean yourself or the things you do for me, Taylor. You make me happy and we both know I am a difficult man to please.”
“There is that,” she conceded with a small smile. “Still, I think it’d be best if we avoided discussing my talents or the ways I make you happy while my mother is here.”
Sebastian winked and tapped the end of her nose. “That’s your call, but that silence is going to cost you later, sweetheart. As is your refusal to join me in the shower.” Brushing a wayward wisp of bangs out of his way, he leaned over to whisper in her ear. “By the time I am done with you tonight, the whole neighborhood is going to know my name.”
A warm, throbbing heat spiraled low in her belly where it blossomed until her insides ached. The husky rasp of his voice matched the promise lurking in his eyes. Sinking her teeth into her bottom lip, she tried to ignore the hungry pulse between her thighs. It was no use. Her body knew all too well the pleasure that waited around the bend and it reacted in eager accord. Her cheeks flamed as he pressed closer. Backing her against the wall beside the window, Sebastian flashed a wicked grin and slid his hand under the hem of her dress. A low groan rolled through him as he rubbed the dampening scrap of lace between her legs.
“Remember this while you are eating,” he whispered, his short stubble grazing the side of her neck. “Remember the way I touched you and what I am going to make you feel.”
A whimper rose in the back of her throat and she clutched his arms as her knees trembled. She could feel the raw pleading in her eyes as she tried to clamp her thighs together. Thrusting his knee between her legs, Sebastian kept them parted. A knowing smile plied his lips as he cupped her mound. A shudder of pleasure wound through her as he ground the heel of his palm against her. Capturing her earlobe, he tugged it between his teeth as he gave a slow shake of his head.
“Don’t you cum.”
His voice came in a soft growl. Splaying her hands against the wall, Taylor fought to elude the tormenting gyrations between her legs. Her breath left her in a shallow pant. Closing her eyes only added to her euphoria and made the room spin. Her mind cursed his cruelty while her body hummed with a song of enthusiastic praise. She almost sobbed with relief when Rupert’s voice carried through the intercom and put an end to their delicious game.
Sebastian pulled away from her and adjusted the heavy bulge of his erection with a pained grimace. She didn’t bother masking her amusement. Running a finger down the hard swell of his chest, she let it glide lower until it danced over the strained ridge of his zipper.
“How many times have you told me things play both ways, handsome?”
His piercing stare snapped to hers. Reproach mingled with the suffering in his pale green eyes.
“I am going to remember this and the perverse pleasure you are taking from it,” he warned.
“Promises,” she teased. “It looks like you need a minute. Go put your pistol away, shooter. I’ll get the door.”
Smoothing her dress back into place, she shivered as Sebastian followed on her heels. His breath fell against her back as his low, menacing laugh rolled across her nape. She reached the door but faltered as he cupped her chin.
“You are going to pay for that,” he warned. “Dearly.”
Seizing the back of her head, he crushed his mouth against hers in a bruising kiss. The forceful claim
assured he meant every word he said. The heat licking her insides climbed even higher. She could feel the flush crawl over her breasts and settle into her cheeks. Her shame deepened when she realized how all of this was going to look.
Peering down at her, Sebastian offered an unrepentant smirk. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. It’s a very becoming look on you.”
“You are beyond warped,” she muttered, pulling open the door.
A light summer breeze washed over her skin, but it was seeing the woman standing in front of her that cooled Taylor’s blood. More than a decade had passed, and her mother had aged and acquired the lines brought on by time and the worries of life, but there were still traces of the face she had dreamed of and remembered. Her heart ached with pangs of uncertainty and pain. She didn’t know what to say. Did she call her Mom or Elaine? Her humiliation only deepened when the silence lingered and her shoulders slumped beneath a wave of defeat.
People should never have to wonder those things when it came to their own mother. She shouldn’t have to wonder if it was okay to hug her own parent or what to call them, yet here she was, conflicted and torn, and wishing she had pockets just so she had something to do with her hands.
Frowning, Sebastian stepped around her and put an end to the awkward standoff. “You must be Elaine,” he said, extending his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Please, come inside.”
He gestured her inside and Taylor’s brow knitted as her mother’s gaze flickered her way. It didn’t take long for Elaine’s attention to shift elsewhere once she stepped inside the foyer. Hanging back, Taylor watched her scan her new surroundings.
“You have a beautiful home, Sebastian. Thank you for allowing me to visit.”
Not missing the innuendo, Sebastian tilted his head. Though his smile didn’t falter, the sincerity behind it faded.
“This is your daughter’s home as well.”
“Of course.” Elaine straightened, extending her slender body to its full height. “I’m sorry,” she offered, turning to face Taylor. “I’ve rehearsed this moment a million times in my head, but I still don’t know what to say. Thank you for trying to put the past aside and welcoming me into your home. I know that couldn’t have been easy for you.”
Her throat tightened. Swallowing hard, she blinked against the burgeoning threat of tears and nodded. “It’s okay…Mom.”
She closed her eyes, drawing reassurance from Sebastian as he rubbed slow circles against her lower back and kissed the side of her temple.
“Dinner should be done, baby. Let’s carry the food to the table and get your mother something to drink.”
Nodding mutely, she let him steer her into the more private seclusion of the kitchen. The concern in his eyes made her heart hurt even more as he stared down at her and brushed a thumb across her cheek.
“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice unstable and shaky. “I don’t know what I was expecting.”
“It’s okay,” he soothed. “I just don’t like seeing you under this much strain. It’s not good for you.”
“I’ll be fine. I just need to work through this. I’ve dreamt of her coming back into my life so many times, Seb, but I never once imagined things would feel this distant. It’s almost like meeting a total stranger.”
He frowned. His expression was full of empathy as he ran his fingertips over the tiny swell of her belly. “A lot of time has gone by, baby. Just sit tight. Hopefully things will get easier. I can’t make any promises, but I will try to do whatever I can to help you here.”
She tried to smile but memories of Christmas Eve and their dinner party with Irene tumbled through her head, and she was sure the gesture came across as more of a pained grimace. Inviting her mother into their home was a bad idea on so many levels, but there was nothing she could do now but try to get through it.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
His stare weighed heavy, calculating both mood and condition. She could feel the reluctance thrumming through him and the atmosphere shifted, darkening like a gathering of clouds. Sebastian’s guard was going up and his tolerance down, neither of which bode well for the situation. He’d always been hyper-vigilant and queued into her every mood and reaction, but now that she was carrying his child, Sebastian was on constant edge. She loved him for his protectiveness, but she also knew if she didn’t find a way to ease the tension of the evening, he would kibosh the whole thing before it even had a chance to begin.
A few moments later, she’d set the fresh dinner rolls down and settled into her chair. Thin tendrils of steam rose from the baked ziti, carrying the rich aroma of olive oil and garlic she’d chosen in lieu of marinara. Her mother forced a tremulous smile over the rim of her white wine as Sebastian took his seat at the head of the table.
“It smells wonderful.”
Taylor couldn’t help but feel a small burst of pride. “Thank you.”
Dishing a liberal portion onto his plate, Sebastian then passed the bowl. “Your daughter is an amazing cook,” he agreed. “She keeps me very well-fed.”
“Not too well,” Elaine stated, seeming to relax a little. “You seem fit. I imagine that is part of your job though.”
“Yes. I suppose it is.” Sebastian turned his attention to his meal, his expression contemplative.
Taylor buttered her roll. So many questions flitted through her mind. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, Mom, but it’s been so long since we talked. How did you find me?”
Elaine’s fork hovered in midair. Round grey eyes locked with Taylor’s across the table. The careful mask of composure her mother wore faltered for a mere second before the regal mask slipped back into place.
“I visited your uncle last week. He was kind enough to fill me in on your current situation.”
Sebastian frowned and set his glass down. “What situation is that?”
She remained aloof and collected. The brief purse of her painted lips was the only sign she felt anything other than what her expression indicated.
“Roy told me my daughter had moved to Flagstaff. It wasn’t hard to find you, once I had a name. You appear to have provided for her quite well, Agent Baas. She seems happy and healthy. Seeing that much at least has helped ease some of my reservations.”
The soft clink of silverware hitting a plate filled the room. Nauseas, Taylor closed her eyes and rubbed a shaky hand over the lower half of her face.
“Mom…”
“It’s alright, Taylor,” Sebastian said. “I am curious, Elaine. Just what might those reservations be?”
“From my understanding, you isolated my daughter and cut her off from her family. This raises some concerns in my eyes.”
“I see,” Sebastian stated, leaning back in his seat. “Let me ask you something. Roy is your brother, correct?”
“Yes.”
Taylor’s heart sank as she watched the cold, calculating gleam flare to life in her lover’s eyes. He nodded stiffly at her mother’s response, his mouth hardening into a grim press.
“I am sure you were well aware of your brother’s situation. You knew the man could barely make ends meet, yet you abandoned your daughter at his door, knowing he would never be able to provide for her. She grew up feeling she was nothing more than an added burden and an extra mouth to feed. Where was that concern then?”
“I left her with family,” her mother countered.
“A loose definition of the word at best. There was never any real sense of love or belonging. Instead, she was made to feel indebted to those people. People who in turn used her and betrayed her trust. Your brother and his son tried to pin their moonshining operation on your daughter and were more than willing to let her take the fall so they could go free. You have no idea how many strings I had to pull or the amount of cajoling it took to keep her out of jail, so you will have to excuse me if I fail to see things from your perspective.”
“I don’t think you understand my point, Agent Baas.”
“You are correct,” Sebastian agreed. �
�You have no point. I didn’t tell your daughter to stop associating with those people in an attempt to control her. I did it to protect her. If not for me, she would have been behind bars. If I truly wished to cut her off from her family, you would not be here.”
“What about her friends?”
“I am a private man. I admit to being jealous and overprotective at times, but I am not petty. Taylor keeps in touch with a young man she went to school with. If my intentions were as trivial as you claim, another man would be the first to go.” He spread his hands, his smile taut and unforgiving. “Yet here we are. They talk often and she’s asked Daryl to escort her down the aisle.”
“I see,” her mother stated, focusing her attention on her plate just long enough to sneak in a quick bite. “What about her job?”
Sebastian sighed. “Your daughter was exhausted and working herself to the bone. I make more than enough to sustain us. I saw no reason for her to continue driving herself into the ground.”
“So you told her to quit?”
Taylor stared across the table at her, grappling with a heady mixture of annoyance and disbelief. The constant barrage of questions was bad enough without the woman acting like she wasn’t sitting right there in the same room with them. The brittle threads of self-control she’d been clinging to frayed and snapped, much like the illusions of love and security she’d wrapped herself in as a child. Mother or not, she was not going to sit back and let this woman dismantle her life all over again.
“Sebastian didn’t tell me to quit. He never once demanded that of me. He asked if I would give him a chance to take care of me. To give us taking care of each other a chance. What did I have to lose? I was working twelve to fourteen hours a day at a truck stop. It’s not as if I gave up some exciting and successful career.”
“I know, honey,” her mother soothed.
“No. You really don’t, and I don’t see any reason why we should have to explain everything to you.”