Sebastian doesn’t say anything. I’m not sure what I expect him to say. It’s not every day the woman you’re screwing has a psycho ex-asshole who almost killed her, but Sebastian didn’t react at all.

Instead, his arms come around my waist, and he pulls me back against his hard body. It is there again, that feeling of complete and total safety. I relax into the warmth of his embrace. “I thought I could do it.” I sigh and snuggle into him.

“Thought you could do what?” His chin is resting on the top of my head as he holds me close. I blankly stare at his drawings and photos relishing in the feel of the comfort he offers.

“I’ll tell you later, right now I need to go get some writing done. I have a deadline to make, and my editor has been emailing me for pages.” I sigh, tired of running. Tired of being scared, of being afraid to love, and live. Sebastian eases my fears and makes me want more.

I give him a small smile before moving to the lobby desk and starting to work. The only time I look up from the computer is when someone comes in or the phone rings. Other than that, I’m focused on the story going on in my head. The characters are telling me their thoughts, their fears, and their lives. It’s hard to explain to people that don’t know the process of writing. I’ve tried before, and they look at me like I’m crazy. Even Kaiya looks like I’ve sprouted another head when I start rambling about a character’s background to try and connect some plot points.

I stop writing and look at Sebastian as he sits drawing at his table. His mornings always seems slow, where his afternoons and evenings are booked. I don’t care when the men come through the door, but when women come in to get piercings or tattoos, it bugs me more than I care to admit. I hate the way they look at him, because if I can see the hunger in their eyes where he is concerned, so can he.

“You’re staring.” He doesn’t even look up from what he is drawing, but he knows my eyes are on him.

“Well, can’t blame a girl for enjoying the scenery.” I lean back and lace my fingers together behind my head, stretching my arms and shoulders. My words bring his head up and around. I smile sweetly, and his eyes take on a whole new glint.

“I thought you were writing.” His voice is husky and seductive.

“I was, but I’m at a scene that has me a little stuck.” I draw in a deep breath, “I’m gathering some inspiration.”

“By staring.” He grins.

“Yep. Eye candy always helps. Why look up photos on the internet when I can just turn my chair around?” I drop my arms from behind my head and grip the armrests. He is up and walking towards me slowly with a sexy intent written on his face.

The look he is giving me has my body responding. I thought other authors were exaggerating when they write about a smoldering look that melts panties. Nope. No exaggeration here, my panties are all but incinerated by the hungry fire in his eyes.

He isn’t rushed or hurried when he stalks me, so I get up and take off running around the desk to the lobby. Sebastian gives chase as I run around the chairs and coffee table. I run back around him and into the parlor where he works. We are on opposite sides grinning at each other in a stare down. He fakes like he is going to go right, but I anticipate the false move and dodge his arms.

Sebastian is letting me evade him for now. It’s a game I’m happy to play. If he wants to catch me, he can at any moment. There’s no way I can outmaneuver a Marine, that out muscles and outweighs me by a hundred pounds. He is waiting for our game of cat and mouse to play out.

I’m laughing as I take off towards the back room. I know Bas’ office is a trap, so I run into the back room where I’d seen him take clients. There is a table, almost like ones you’d see at a doctor’s office in the middle of the room. There is a sink on one side and a cabinet above. He has a rolling table set up against the far wall that has a tattoo gun set up. It is all neat and orderly.

When I open the door, I slow down enough that Sebastian comes up behind me and his body gently propels mine forward towards the table. I feel him hard against my back, and he buries his nose in my neck. My head tilts to the side resting back on his shoulder. His deep breath, hard body, and the heat radiating between us has my body ready and eager for more of what we’d done this morning.

“Tonight, we’re going out. You need to wear something,” Bas takes a deep breath, inhaling my scent again then pushes his hips against my back. “Sexy.” He kisses the fluttering pulse in my neck. God, I had no clue that my neck is so damn sensitive, until Sebastian.

“Where are we going?”

“I figured you’d want to experience a few things like being picked up at a nightclub or bar. I’ll text you the address, and you’re going to meet me there tonight at nine-thirty. Go to the bar, order a drink, and wait for me to come to you.” He could’ve told me to do anything at that point, and I’d have agreed to it. “Now,” He continues. “Enough, Jaci. We’ve got work to do. If you keep it up,” He moves his hips against me letting me know just what he meant by ‘up,’ “I’m going to show you exactly how distracting I can be. And trust me, baby, my distractions will make you ache.” His words are grave and full of pent up lust. There is no doubt in my mind that Sebastian can make my body ache because I already feel it from the tips of my breasts to the fluttering in my core.