In my line of work, I meet a lot of people with differing values than myself. Somehow Sebastian takes the cake entirely. Speaking with him is like speaking with someone who grew up on a totally different planet.
“Well, I get that this might not be for everyone, but I believe this is what I was put on this earth to do,” I answer with a shrug.
It might not be the most concise or eloquent of responses, but I mean every word. To my surprise, he gives a slow nod of understanding.
“Do you have a bathroom where I can clean up while the cupcakes are baking?” he asks. “I have to head straight to the dinner after this and I've got flour everywhere.”
“It’s because you insisted on taking off the apron,” I tease. “I actually live right above the bakery. You can use my shower if you want.”
“I wasn’t planning on showering.”
“You might want to reconsider, you’ve got flour all over your face.”
He frowns but gives a simple nod, though he doesn’t offer any notion of gratitude.
I pop the cupcakes into the oven, set the timer, and head toward a back door that I keep locked while the shop is open. Bash stands by while I unlock it. I usher him inside, then follow him up the small set of stairs to my equally small apartment.
Though recently I'd been making more money and I suppose I could upsize, I love living above the bakery. The scent of sugar and sweetness lingers in the air even after all the ovens are closed and cleaned for the night, and there’s nothing better than only having to take a set of stairs to your job.
“I'm sure this is way smaller than what you’re used to,” I murmur shyly as I show him to the bathroom and turn on my finicky shower faucet.
I'm well aware of how small my home is, and though I've never felt embarrassed of it, it suddenly feels so crowded with the two of us inside. He stands in front of the bathtub and I stand near the door. Faint light trickles in through the bathroom window, illuminating the shine of his hair. It glistened like raven’s wings. My heart picks up pace again, steadily thumping against my ribs. I wonder if he can hear it.
“I think your home is lovely,” he answers softly, his fingers already carefully plucking at his buttons.
His muscled chest is exposed inch by inch, my suddenly greedy eyes drinking up the sight. I try to avert my gaze, looking anywhere but at the handsome man before me, but my eyes are continually drawn back.
Bash, knowing exactly how gorgeous he is, only continues to taunt me. He pulls his shirt off, folding it and setting it aside. When his fingers move toward his belt I quickly stumble back from the small bathroom.
“Holly!” he calls after me, “I would very much appreciate a towel!”
Hastily, I search through my linen closet for a towel that isn’t threadbare or wrinkled, returning a few moments later to shove it in through the unlocked door.
Bash hums from in the shower, deep reverberations of his voice echoing as steam slowly rolls across the tiled floor. I can see his silhouette through the film of the pale shower liner, his shoulders broad and muscled as his hands move through his hair.
“Dammit, Holly, keep it in your pants,” I mumble to myself, closing the door and stepping away.
It wasn’t like a billionaire would ever be interested in me, even in a purely physical way. He was way too good looking and successful. He probably had gorgeous ladies falling at his feet everywhere he went. At least I could take solace in the fact that I would never be one of those girls.
“Holly?” he calls again, interrupting my thoughts.
The way my name sounds on his lips makes a shudder roll up the length of my spine. When I peer back into the steam filled room, my body feels cold despite the heat of the shower.
“Yes?” I croak.
When he talks, he lifts his voice to speak above the sound of rushing water. “I can’t seem to figure out how to turn down your water temperature. It’s scalding.”
“Oh! You just . . .” I hastily rush forward, thrusting a single hand through the still closed shower curtain to grasp the shower handle. “You have to give it a good wiggle before it turns. It takes a bit of force.”
With a grunt I shove the handle hard to the side to cool down the water, however the force of it topples me over the rim of the bathtub where Bash stands.
Before I know it, I collapse in a heap at his feet. I’m literally falling for him, just as I promised I wouldn’t be a few moments ago.
Bash stares down at me, eyebrows lifting in surprise as streams of water glide down his muscles. My mouth opens and closes, my blouse soaked through in seconds by now frigid water that does little to cool the flaming warmth of my cheeks.
I stammer. “I didn’t . . . I . . . oh my God!”
He reaches down quickly, scooping me into his arms. Carefully, he drags me to my feet. I'm grateful he’s holding me up because my knees are shaking now, his body firm and hot against mine. Every inch of me that’s pressed to his feels as though it’s on fire.
“Are you all right?” He asks, turning off the water before we both start shivering.
I gape at him, trying to speak, but I am consumed by the depths of his dark gray eyes, the fullness of his lips, the nakedness of his flawless body. I try to pull away to escape him but his fingers capture my wrist, pulling me back.
We stare at each other, my chest rising and falling in shallow pants, his eyes narrowing on mine, until I can no longer resist.
I don’t know who moves first, but both of us spring back together at once, our lips desperate for one another’s.
Chapter 5
Sebastian
My feet slide dangerously across the damp bathroom floor, Holly’s body hot in my arms as I carry her toward the safety of carpet just across the threshold.
Her lips are soft as rose petals under mine, the tip of her hungry tongue brushing along the curve of my lower lip. Every now and then, she gives a faint gasp that makes the blood surging through my veins light on fire.
My fingers cup her curves, hoisting her against me, legs wrapping around my hips. Though I'm completely nude, she’s still dressed in her drenched blouse and jean shorts.
We’ll just have to change that, won’t we?
I peel her shirt away, still moving through the cramped apartment. I have no idea where her bedroom is, and neither one of us is interested in breaking the kiss to speak. As luck would have it, the first door we crash through has a bed inside. I toss Holly onto it and kick the door closed behind me.
“This is just physical,” Holly gasps against my lips as I recapture them. “This means nothing. Just once, that’s all.”
I don’t bother answering. I’m completely aware of the nature of this hookup. Instead I lightly suck her lower lip between my teeth, focusing solely on the earth-shattering bliss about to unfold between us.
Her eyes darken, narrowing on mine. Her face and chest are flushed with the rosy red of lust. When she senses I'm going to take my time with her she tries to pull me closer.
I can tell that Holly is a woman used to being in charge, but I have no intention of allowing her that position today. I take my time kissing the sides of her throat, leaving small love bites in the wake of my lips. It’s only when she pants my name, chest heaving, and body trembling that I know it’s time.