Drowning to Breathe (23 page)

He laughed a disbelieving sound. “Uh…no. Pretty damned sure you just made my entire year. About to lose my damned mind without you.”

He hugged me again as he exhaled in relief, taking me in a gentle sway, a slow dance in the middle of a barrage of camera flashes and subdued whispers and a few catcalls coming from none other than Ash himself.

Sebastian suddenly pulled back, attention jumping all around me. “Where’s Kallie?”

“At home.”

He frowned.

“Charlie promised to man the bar while I was gone and Tamar took the weekend off to help April with her.” I arched a brow. “I didn’t think bringing a four-year-old to Vegas to celebrate a rock star’s birthday would be the best parenting choice I could make.”

He feigned a horrified gasp. “You left my daughter in the care of Tamar? We are talking about the woman who looks like she wants to cut every guy’s balls off simply because he’s a man? I’m not sure how I feel about that.”

My daughter.

It was the first time I’d heard him refer to her that way. The sound of Kallie calling him
daddy
was already enough to twist me up inside with hope and dreams and love.

But this? This was overwhelming and pure, offered without a second thought. All those places inside me slipped a little further into Sebastian Stone.

His.

There was no question about it.

I gave him a coy smile, letting my hand go running up his strong chest, over the tee stretched across his wide, wide shoulders where my palm caught onto the firm beat of his heart. “Getting protective, are we?”

On a chuckle, he slanted me a smile that lifted on the crooked side. “Just a tad.”

Then that playful smile took on a tone of wistfulness. “Can’t believe how damned bad I miss her.”

“I know.” I dug around in my bag and pulled out the present Kallie had picked for him. Tentatively, I held it out. “She misses you, too.”

Sebastian stilled, hesitating as his attention darted between the stuffed animal and me, both confusion and recognition flaring in his eyes.

“She saw it and insisted you have it. She told me again and again to make sure you know it’s only from her for your birthday.” I lowered my voice to a hopeful whisper, letting my fingertips trail over the spot on his side where the green monkey was hidden below his shirt. “She thinks monkeys are your favorite.”

His hand trembled as he accepted it, and he pressed it to his nose, eyes dropping closed, breathing it in as if it brought him closer to her.

“God, I can almost smell her, Shea. Miss her so damned bad.”

Slowly, he opened to me, voice deep and sincere. “She is the most amazing kid. After all the shit I’ve done, don’t know how I got so lucky. That you came into my life…bringing that little girl with you.”

Yeah. My hard, tainted man was so sweet and soft. I saw it, felt it beneath his scars and turbulence and dark demeanor.

Ash’s laughter rang out from behind us, breaking up the heaviness that had woven into the moment.

“Beautiful Shea! What’s up, darlin’? Lookin’ gorgeous as ever.”

I turned just in time to catch him rushing me, all dimples and thick, tattooed biceps and heartbreaker smile. I gasped when he picked me up off my feet, swinging me around like a rag doll. Laughter erupted from me. I clutched his shoulders, sure this crazy boy was going to drop me in his exuberance.

“Oh my God, Ash, put me down.”

“Not a chance, darlin’. I missed the hell outta ya.”

“Really,” Sebastian said like a warning, earning a smirk from Ash and a chuckle from Lyrik who stepped in to save me. He gave me a quick hug as he muttered quietly at my ear, “It’s good you’re here. He’s been missing you and in a bad way.”

In appreciation, I nodded at him, glanced at Sebastian who watched our exchange with mild curiosity and a whole lot of happiness.

Zee stepped in for a quick hug, too.

It seemed a little nuts how much I’d missed them all, how this group of guys had become such a mainstay in my life.

Eyes twinkling, Sebastian shook his head. “Should have known you assholes were up to something. Been acting all sketchy and skittish all damned morning. You could have saved me a ton of misery if you’d have given me a clue my girl was on her way.”

“What?” Ash chided in amused disbelief, “and ruin all the work Shea put into making this a surprise? Not a chance, my friend. Suck it up and be thankful she’s here.”

Sebastian wound an arm around my waist, pulling me flush, bringing us chest to chest, both our hearts still wound and beating fast. He pushed his nose into my hair.

His whispered reply along the shell of my ear sent a swell of goosebumps along the back of my neck. “Oh, believe me, I’m thankful, all right. Gonna be showing you all weekend just how
thankful
I am.”

Lust rolled through me, fluttering low, the dull ache I’d been feeling for weeks flaming to life.

A low chuckle rumbled in Sebastian’s chest, the man all too keen and aware, but not ashamed in the least to press a little closer to show me the evidence of just how badly he’d been missing me, too. His mouth was at my ear. “Can’t wait to get you alone.”

Lyrik rubbed a tattooed hand over his chin. “Hate to be the one to break up the happy reunion, but we’re out of here in half an hour. Need to get to the venue by five.”

Sebastian groaned, then lifted his chin in a gesture of understanding to Lyrik, swung his attention right back to me as he wove his fingers through mine. “Where are your things?”

“I left them with the concierge.”

Eyes narrowed, he chewed at his lip, then gave a clipped nod as if he’d come to some kind of resolution.

“Perfect.” He pulled our entwined hands to his mouth, kissed along my knuckles, before he tugged me into motion.

I couldn’t stop the tiny squeal from escaping my throat when a frenzy of butterflies staged an assault to my belly, this moment so carefree, all our worries and troubles and fears cast aside.

Charlie was right.

I needed this.

We
needed this.

I held onto his wrist with my free hand, doing my best to keep up with him as he hauled me toward registration and straight into the VIP line.

But he didn’t allow me to remain behind him.

No.

Instead he pulled me forward and spun me around in one fluid move. The cool, smooth marble of the counter pressed into my upper back as he pinned me to it, the man bold, dictating my every move.

He didn’t hesitate to wedge one of his knees between my thighs just as he stretched his arms out on either side of me, holding me captive between him and the registration desk.

Trapped.

And there was no part of me that wanted to be set free.

Those butterflies went wild—a craze of lust and desire that amassed as this insane, stunning love.

I knew the way he made me feel was nothing short of a gift.

Big body towering over mine, he leaned over my shoulder and spoke to the receptionist while I peered out at the mass of people watching us with curious glances and jealous stares.

“I need to upgrade my room,” he said.

The receptionist tapped at her keyboard. “Current room number?”

“1653.”

“Do you know your preference for the new room, sir?”

“Best suite you have for me and my girl,” he replied as he nuzzled into my neck.

“Sebastian,” I hissed, trying to stop him from doing something so over-the-top, because my intention had never been for him to splurge on me.

Any old bed would do.

“Bite your tongue, woman,” he hissed right back, although everything about it was playful. “Know exactly what you’re gettin’ ready to say, and the answer is no. It’s my birthday, and this is what
I
want. Got it?”

“Are you trying to guilt me into getting what you want?” I shot back with a smile, hiking up onto my toes so I could plant a small kiss on his chin.

He smirked. “Whatever it takes.”

The receptionist worked quickly, and a few seconds later she discretely slid a small envelope with keycards our way. “You’re all set.

“If you could have my luggage transferred from my old room and Ms. Bentley’s delivered to the new,” he added.

“That will be no problem. Enjoy.”

His voice came across like a growl, the severity of it directed only at me. “I definitely plan to.”

Oh God.

I was in the best kind of trouble.

With that, Sebastian whisked me toward the bank of elevators across the lobby. Anxious, he jabbed at the button. With a ding, the door slid open, and he mumbled the room number to the attendant at the same second he pushed me up against the wall in the far back corner.

Pinned again.

Hot hands palmed my neck and he dove in for a kiss.

I gave in, before I giggled and pulled back, considering there were about fifteen other people crammed in the elevator with us.

“Um…do you not see we have an audience?” I murmured toward his face that gleamed with a smirk he couldn’t seem to shake.

“Can only see one thing, baby.”

Was I too old to swoon?

Apparently not, because my knees knocked, my insides quaked, and a rush of lightheadedness swayed through my senses.

Light.

Light.

Light.

He gave it to me when I should be drowning in dark, lost to the fear of my past catching up to me. But no, this miraculous man held me close. Lifting me up before I crashed to the ground.

The elevator stopped at seven different floors before it finally opened to the top floor.

Yes, I counted.

Sebastian tipped his head at the attendant, rushing us out into the foyer and to the double door. With the hand clutching Kallie’s monkey, he fumbled with the key card, refusing to let go of my hand. He managed to swipe the card and buzzed us in. One of the doors swung open, and he swiftly turned, mouth back on mine as he dragged me into the immaculate room.

Even though he was kissing me mad, I couldn’t keep one eye from opening and peeking at the opulence around us. “Oh, wow,” I mumbled as he pulled me deeper into the living area. “I think this place is bigger than my house.”

And my house wasn’t exactly small.

Or modest.

But this suite made it look like a dump.

Sebastian pulled away just enough to survey the space.

The luxurious living area was decorated in whites and blacks. Dashes of royal blue were strewn about, giving it a splash of color. A large U-shaped couch sat in the center of it, surrounded by plush lounging chairs set up in front of a TV that took up most of one wall, while a formal dining room set for eight took up the back side. There was a bar that wasn’t so mini and an office area. A wall of two-story windows looked out over the strip, a breathtaking view of city and sky.

Our attention was drawn to a winding staircase that led upstairs to what I could only assume was the bedroom.

His demeanor turned predatory, a gleam of grey and a twitch of his body. He reached out and touched my face. “Gonna fuck you everywhere in this place. On every surface. In every room.” He edged in, breath whispering across my face. “And then I’m going to do it again.”

He set the monkey aside, tossed the keycards down with it, then lifted me, forcing me to wrap my legs around his waist.

I had on a pair of short cut-offs and my boots.

Yeah.

I’d worn them for him.

I knew he liked the shorts, the boots, loved the way his gaze trailed up and down my legs every time I wore them.

He crossed the room and set me on the edge of the glass table, let his hands go trailing up and down my thighs as he rubbed his heavy cock to my center.

I purred as he cupped my neck in both hands, kissing me slow.

“Been too long, baby. I want to tear into you. Tonight I’m going to devour every inch of this sweet little body.”

“Like you haven’t already?” I nipped at his mouth, my insides turning molten, his fingers like fire.

I’d done things with Sebastian I’d never dreamed of doing with another man. Let him fill me, explore me, and fuck me every way. Let him touch me in ways I’d thought were dark and ugly and depraved.

But, no.

It was pure, unbridled pleasure.

A candid trust.

A beauty found in the rawness, and a bond found in the vulnerability.

“Like I could ever get enough of you,” he murmured back, rough, just as rough as his hands as he tugged me closer.

Knuckles rapped at the door.

Sebastian looked to the high ceiling and let out a strained groan. “Shit.”

Laughing, I pushed him back. “We need to get going anyway. I don’t want to be responsible for making you late.”

He pressed a closed-mouthed kiss to my lips.

“
Later
,” he promised.

“Yes, please,” I said as I grasped at his tee a little greedily in the same second he was pulling away.

“Woman,” he growled as a warning, diving in for another quick kiss, and I laughed again and hopped onto the floor as he went to answer the door.

A bellman breezed in with our things, propping an acoustic guitar case against the wall and taking the rest of our luggage upstairs to the bedroom, then coming right back down.

Sebastian dug his wallet out of his pocket, producing another large bill like he always did, the man so generous, so contrary to all that brash intimidation.

He locked the door behind him.

“I need to change,” we both said at the same time, with the same reluctance, and we both stilled and stared because we seemed to be playing the same tune. Sebastian released an affectionate laugh.

“Come on, let’s get out of here or we’re never going to make it.” He took my hand in his and we bound upstairs. He shrugged out of his clothes and dug into his suitcase, the same as I did mine.

“Damn it,” I cursed, digging around more and cursing myself again.

“What?”

I glanced up to find him in his underwear, and my eyes stayed there a little longer than necessary.

The gorgeous man was bent over as he pulled the second leg of his jeans off his foot then reached for a fresh pair, and a shiver rolled through me as I was struck with both the best and worst kind of temptation.