Chapter 285

Cecilia’s pov

Sebastian gazed at my face, beckoning with his hand.”Come here p>

I glanced at the small distance between us. We were already close in the back seat of the car.

“I think I’m good right where I am,” I said primly, straightening my posture.”Let’s talk about what matters first p>

Sebastian reached for me, his large hand wrapping around my wrist.

“I’m not asking you to come over so I can kiss you silent and stop you from talking,” he said with a hint of amusement.

The tug-of-war was embarrassingly one-sided.

Before I could protest further, I found myself pulled onto his lap.

The heat of his body was immediate, like I’d just parked myself on a sunlit leather seat in July.

“So,” I cleared my throat, trying to maintain some semblance of dignity.”You tricked me, and I kept something from you. Let’s call it even, shall we p>

It sounded like the most adult thing to say, even if my heart was pounding like I’d just run a mile in heels.

We both lied and kept things from each other. It was already a mess. What’s the point of keeping score now?

“We can call it even,” Sebastian agreed easily, his large hand caressing the space between my shoulder blades.

I pulled his hand away.

“Also, I will not be attending your family gathering this weekend, and I definitely won’t play the role of ’Green’! ” I protested.

“Your mother will find out who I am eventually. I don’t want to hide it. Besides, why should I? It’s not like I’m desperate for her approval, and it’s not like I absolutely need to p>

The words ’marry you’ slammed into my throat like a rogue wave.

“The weekend invitation is for my mother’s savior, not my girlfriend,” Sebastian said, turning his palm to grasp my hand.”After it’s over, I’ll tell her everything. I won’t make you play Green forever p>

“You I sighed in frustration.

“And what makes you and Luna Regina think she’ll like me better if you delay the truth p>

“She already likes you,” Sebastian said, placing a quick peck on my lips.”You’re the most wonderful woman in the world p>

He sounded sweet, but I knew that could blow up in my face if I wasn’t careful.

I quickly regained my senses.

“Sebastian, don’t overthink it. Your mom likes Green because she thinks she’s a rich, classy girl from the ’right’ kind of family. That’s what she wants for you. And I’m not that girl p>

“Don’t get worked up,” Sebastian said soothingly.

After a moment, he added,”Today was chaos. I saw how stressed you looked when she asked your name. I honestly thought you didn’t want to answer, so I jumped in p>

“But maybe this step-by-step approach isn’t such a bad thing. It gives her time. A chance to adapt. Will you give her that p>

“What if I flat-out refuse to go this weekend?” I challenged.

Sebastian smiled. “Then you don’t go. No drama, no pressure p>

I nodded firmly. “Good. But you’d better not ambush me halfway through with a change of plan p>

I tried to slide off his lap, but Sebastian’s hands stayed on my waist, holding me there. His gaze dropped to my lips.

“After all that talking, aren’t you thirsty?” he asked, voice low.

“I’m not thirsty,” I replied.

“Well, I am,” he said.

“There’s bottled water in the console fridge,” I said, playing innocent.

Sebastian cupped my face, his thumbs brushing over my lips as he leaned in.

“Too cold. I’ve developed a taste for warm things lately p>

His words dissolved into my mouth as he kissed me. His tongue slipped past my lips, teasing, coaxing, pulling me under.

Within moments, the space between us disappeared, and I melted into his chest.

His hands slid down my waist, gripping me tighter as the kiss deepened.

The heat hit fast and hard. I felt it everywhere, and there was no ignoring it.

One hand traveled up my spine, fingers threading through my hair to cradle the back of my head.

“Cecilia,” he breathed against my lips, pulling back only enough to look into my eyes.

There was something wild behind his stare.

I placed my hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat. It was calm at first, but then it picked up.

It raced beneath my palm, a silent confession of everything he hadn’t said aloud.

And in his eyes? Hunger. Possession. A kind of devotion that made my breath catch. It was terrifying. It was thrilling. And it was entirely mine.

His mouth found my neck, trailing hot kisses down the sensitive column of my throat. A small gasp escaped me as he nipped gently at the juncture where my neck met my shoulder.

My head fell back, giving him better access as his hands roamed freely over my body, learning every curve.

“You drive me crazy,” he murmured against my skin.”Do you know that p>

The rasp of his voice, the heat of his breath against my ear. It all short-circuited my brain.

I turned my face to recapture his lips, my hands sliding up to tangle in his hair.

Our mouths collided with renewed urgency, the tentative exploration from moments ago replaced by something more desperate, more demanding.

His tongue swept into my mouth, claiming it entirely as his hands gripped my hips, pulling me more firmly against him.

I could feel the hard evidence of his desire pressing against me, and a thrill shot through my body at the knowledge that I affected him this way.

“Sebastian,” I whispered, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears.

The car slowed suddenly, a sharp reminder of where we actually were.

Tang had apparently decided he’d rather risk whiplash than be stuck chauffeuring us through a full-on makeout scene.

He’d gotten us to my apartment building in record time.

He probably thought we were going to fight and wanted to minimize the damage.

If only he knew the kind of “combat ” we were engaged in.

We reluctantly broke apart, both breathing heavily.

Sebastian’s eyes were dark and stormy with unfulfilled desire as he gazed at me, his lips slightly swollen from our kisses.

“We’re here,” he said, unnecessarily, his voice rough.

I nodded, trying to compose myself as I slid off his lap and back onto the seat beside him.

My legs felt like jelly, and I was deeply grateful not to be standing just yet.

Sebastian reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle.

“This conversation isn’t over,” he promised, the double meaning unmistakable.

“I wouldn’t expect it to be,” I replied, trying for aloof butending up breathless and blushing.

Tang opened the car door for us, his face the picture of professional neutrality.

As we exited the car, Sebastian’s hand landed on the small of my back, guiding me toward my building.