by JM Stewart
Barely a couple of hours had passed since he’d last held her, but God, he’d missed her. Missed the simple joy of kissing her because he had the need, and her mouth was heaven. Soft, warm, and inviting, her lips played over his with quiet desperation and her body molded to his. That she’d come had to be a good sign, and he latched on to the small measure of hope like a fallen log in turbulent water.
When he was lost and crumbling at her feet, she pulled back. Her brow furrowed, fierce determination rising in her eyes. “It’s my turn now.”
He let out a quiet laugh and stroked a hand down her cheek. That was Christina in a nutshell, bossy and strong-willed, but doing it all with her heart on her sleeve. God how he loved her for it. “Yes, ma’am.”
She released a breath, and her entire demeanor softened. Her eyes raked over his face, searching with apprehension and worry. “I can’t let you do this.”
He released a heavy breath, forced himself to let her go, and stepped back. If he didn’t, he’d be pushing her up against the nearest wall and kissing her until she relented. He had to take this at her pace, whatever that meant. “You’ve obviously spoken with Cade. I’m sorry, but this isn’t your decision. I’m taking my life back. I refuse to cave to my father’s demands again. There’s only one woman I want to marry.”
She stepped forward, following him, refusing to let him run and hide, as usual, and laid a hand on his chest. “I won’t let you give up your life’s work for me.”
He shook his head. “I appreciate that. I really do. But finding you gone reaffirmed something for me. You’re my future, Tina. My heart and everything I’ve ever wanted. I think you always have been. Just took me a while to come to terms with it. What did you tell me? That if you were ever going to marry me, it had to be because I loved you, because I couldn’t live without you? Well, I can’t.” He picked up her hand and stroked his thumb over the backs of her knuckles. “I want forever. Not a year or to satisfy my father’s selfish demands.”
He lifted her fingers to his mouth and brushed a kiss across her knuckles, then forced himself to step back and tucked his hands in his pockets. The need to pull her back rose too strongly and this decision had to be hers and hers alone. He needed her to come to him this time.
“I’m waiting until the time limit runs out so that when you marry me, I don’t want there to be any doubt in your mind I’m doing it because the thought of living the rest of my life without you by my side and in my arms makes my gut ache.” He winked at her. “Notice I said when, not if. I’ll wait for you as long as I have to.”
Her shoulders slumped and tears flooded her eyes, sparkling in the sunlight flooding through the condo. Her voice wobbled as she spoke. “I’m sorry I left. Like I said in my note, I just wanted time. Waking up beside you felt so damn right. I wanted it, Baz. I wanted to wake up beside you every morning and fall asleep in your arms every night, and—”
“Why are you here, Tina?” It was a dumb question given the way she’d kissed him, but he needed to hear her actually say the words.
“To stop you from giving up the resorts. And to tell you I love you.” Her tears broke free, several leaking down her cheeks, her eyes filling with a gut-wrenching misery. “I was scared. I was terrified I’d be another Jean to you, and—”
Relief shuddered through him, a joy so keen he would have shouted had he not been so damn stunned. She hadn’t come to stop him from giving up his company. She’d come because she couldn’t live without him either.
He slid a hand into her hair, pulled her to him, and settled his mouth over hers, silencing the rest of whatever the hell she’d planned to say. That was all he needed to hear. The rest was unimportant. Only that she’d come because she wanted him.
With a quiet, maddening whimper, her body melted into him, and he lost himself in the sweetness of her mouth. He groaned and settled his arms around her, crushing her to him and took everything she gave. He’d never been happier to see anyone in his life. He was so goddamn lucky to have her.
When they finally parted, both were breathless. Her gaze filled with tenderness, with the newness of the moment. With the same relief shuddering through him. Her fingers clutched his back, holding him every bit as tight, and his future shined in her gorgeous eyes. Only now did he realize it always had. He’d do whatever it took not to lose her.
“Marry me, Tina.” The words left his mouth before he’d even had a chance to ponder how he wanted to ask her, but he wasn’t sorry he’d said them.
She gave him a watery smile and stroked her palm down his cheek. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He settled his hands around her waist, unwilling to let her go yet. “I meant what I said, though. I won’t marry you until after the three months are over.”
Worry creased her brow. “Baz, you can’t give up.”
He flashed a grin. “When have you ever known me to give up? My father’s will states if I don’t comply, the company reverts to Gwen, though I get to stay on as CEO. Since it’s a sole proprietorship, technically, once it’s hers, she’s free to do whatever she wants with it. She can sell it if she wants. The incorporation documents set up when my father founded the company years ago said pretty much the same thing.”
Christina’s stiff posture deflated, and she wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. “I still think you shouldn’t give up. It’s sweet, Baz, but it’s not necessary. I’d marry you now.”
“This part at least had very little to do with you. You were more motivation to get the ball rolling this morning. I won’t give my father the satisfaction of knowing he bent me to his will even from beyond the fucking grave.” He tightened his arms around her, holding her close, enjoying the simple feel of her. The tension between them now gone, relief shuddered through him. She’d come back to him. “I called Gwen on the way to your place, right after I called Cade. I have to admit she surprised the hell out of me. She agreed to sell me the company. She says she doesn’t want it, and she never wanted to make trouble with me. She said she wasn’t in love with my father, but she did love him. Said he was kind to her, and all she really wants is the house, because it has so much of him in it. So, in exchange for her kindness, I gave her free use of the resorts.”
He shook his head, remembering the way his stepmother’s voice had trembled. He still wasn’t convinced she wasn’t a gold digger. All he’d really done was given her more money. He didn’t care. By this time on Monday, he’d be on his way to getting his company back.
Christina pulled away, enough to meet his gaze, and frowned at him again. “Sebastian, that’s millions you don’t need to spend.”
“Guess I’ll just have to make sure profits go up next year.” He winked, hoping she’d relax. When the worry didn’t disappear from her gaze, he cupped her face in his hands, smoothing his thumbs across her cheeks. “I won’t let him dictate my life anymore, Tina.”
She studied him for a long moment. Just when he was sure she’d argue with him again, she arched a brow, a sassy, mischief-filled gleam in her eye. “I won’t wait more than a month past the time limit. We’ve got two months to go still. I won’t wait any longer.”
He let out a quiet laugh and slid his hands over the curve of her backside, tugging her as close as he could physically get her.
“You’re a stubborn woman, you know that?” He leaned down and nipped at her bottom lip. “Neither will I. Think you can plan a wedding in three months?”
She grinned, bright and beautiful. “Piece of cake. I’ve got Hannah and Maddie. Mom will be thrilled. She’ll insist on a huge wedding, you know. She’ll probably take over the whole damn thing.”
“Let her. I don’t care how we get married. As long as at the end of the day you’re mine. Though, I would like to take you to Vegas. Cade would probably tell me that Paris or Greece is more romantic, but I want you to have a better memory of the city. I originally considered kidnapping you again and flying you down there, but—”
Christina shook her head. “Tha
t’s really sweet, Baz, but Hannah will be too close to her due date by then. I couldn’t get married without her and Caden.”
He nodded and lifted a hand, stroking her cheek.
“Exactly why I didn’t. I would like to take our honeymoon there, though. You need to see that city the right way.” She stared up at him, silent for a moment, her eyes glowing. Overwhelming relief tightened in his chest, and he crushed her to him, burying his face in the fall of hair at her throat. “God, when I woke up this morning, I thought I’d lost you.”
“Me too.” She turned her head, pressing her lips into his neck. “I love you, Baz.”
Her words came as a trembling murmur against his skin. His heart roared and emotion overwhelmed him. His love for her. Gratitude that she was his, that he hadn’t screwed up their relationship. He squeezed her so tight she squeaked, then let out a watery laugh. When he pulled back, he leaned his forehead against hers.
“I love you, too. So fucking much.” His voice wobbled, his overwhelming love for her caught in his throat. “You’re mine, baby. You’re mine, and I’m yours.”
“For always, Baz. For always.” She laid her head on his chest.
A quiet meow drifted from the floor, followed by the all too familiar brush of a small, lean, furry body against his right pant leg. Spike purred loud enough for the neighbors to hear as he wove his way through their legs.
Sebastian glanced down and laughed, then bent and scooped his best furry friend off the floor. “What do you say, pal? You okay if we keep her?”
Spike meowed again, and Christina let out a quiet laugh, glancing at Sebastian as she stroked the cat’s head. Spike, of course, leaned into her, rubbing his head against any part of her he could reach. “I think it’s official.”
The love in her eyes took his breath away. She really was his. He had to be the luckiest bastard on the planet, and he planned to spend the rest of his life showing her how grateful he was to have her. And he’d start now.
Sebastian leaned in and covered her mouth with his. Christina moaned softly and leaned into him. His tongue searched for hers and with a quiet shudder, she reached back. He lost himself in her sweet lips, in her quiet sighs and the little trembles moving through her. When her hands found his waist and she pressed closer, Spike meowed in protest.
Sebastian broke the kiss, somewhat breathless, and nipped at her bottom lip. “Hold that thought.” He set Spike on the floor, and he trotted off toward his favorite spot on the windowsill. Then Sebastian turned to scoop Christina off her feet and strode toward his bedroom. “It’s still Sunday. We’ve still got a few hours before the weekend is officially over. I believe we have some making up to do.”
She leaned in, tracing her tongue over the shell of his ear. “I can’t think of a better way to spend the day.”
Epilogue
You know, baby, at some point, we have to leave this hotel room.”
Still panting, her body hot and sticky, Christina let out a breathless laugh. Lying lengthwise on top of Sebastian, she dropped her head into the curve of his shoulder. Their bodies had glued together from the heat and perspiration they’d worked up in each other. Beneath her, he lay with his arms tight around her, his chest rising and falling as rapidly as hers.
His hands stroked her back, calloused fingertips caressing her spine. “I didn’t fly you to Vegas to stay indoors all week. We’re supposed to be sightseeing.”
They’d been married for three days. As she’d expected, the wedding had been huge. At hearing they were getting married, her mother had shrieked with excitement, then taken over the whole darn wedding. She’d demanded traditional. Among a sea of several hundred guests, most of whom Christina knew only through her parents, she’d vowed to love, honor, and cherish this man until she died.
Her heart filled for what had to be the hundredth time since the pastor announced them as husband and wife. He was now officially hers, and she was his. They were happy. Stupid happy. His presence was everything her life was missing.
As promised, they’d taken his private jet to Vegas for their honeymoon. Sebastian had planned it out, including renting out the penthouse of the Bellagio hotel. On the flight out, they’d discussed all the grand plans he had for her, to show her the city. All the shows they’d see and sites they’d visit. He was like a kid in a toy store, filled with exuberance and an addicting joy at the prospect of making her better memories of the city.
Oh, room service came and went. They showered, chatted, ate, did normal human stuff. They’d gone so far as the spa for couple’s massage, but they had yet to leave the room for more than an hour at a time. Once alone, they’d done what newlyweds do best—made love, then made love again. Clothing had hit the floor the minute the door closed behind the bellhop. They’d consummated their marriage in the room’s foyer, against the wall.
She lifted her head from the curve of his shoulder and met his gaze. His hair was mussed, but his eyes glowed, with love and a touch of humor.
Unable to resist teasing him, she stroked his stubbled jaw, trailing her index finger over his bottom lip. “Why? I have everything I need right here.”
His chest rumbled beneath her with his quiet laugh. “I’m sore, baby.”
She giggled, heart full, and laid her head on his chest again. “I know. Me too. We’ll go out tomorrow. I do want to see the Strip at night before we leave. Hannah and Maddie will never forgive me if I don’t bring back pictures. And I promised my assistant, Paula, I’d bring her back a souvenir.”
“And we have to do the casinos at least once.”
“Mmm. Definitely. And Paris. I want to see the Eiffel Tower.”
Silence settled over them, comfortable and luxurious. As their breathing evened and the sleepy lull of satiation and exhaustion rose over them, Sebastian let out a quiet laugh. “Seems you’re now two bachelors short for next year’s auction.”
He was right. Her top two auction favorites had been taken off the market. She slid off his chest into the space beside him, snuggling against his side.
“Mmm. So it seems.” She pressed a kiss to his chest. “Though I can’t say I’m sorry for either one of them. Now that Hannah’s had the baby, Caden’s delirious he’s so happy. Fatherhood suits him.”
Two days before the wedding, Hannah went into labor. Little Emily Moira McKenzie arrived twenty-four hours later, quiet as a church mouse. Christina hadn’t been certain how Caden would handle birth. He was cool as ice when dealing with work, but according to Hannah, he’d been a nervous wreck. Hannah had later confided that he’d had to take a seat. Twice.
She looked just like her father. A full head of dark hair and big wide eyes. He’d taken right to her. Every time she went over to see the baby, Caden had her tucked in one beefy arm. Yes, fatherhood definitely suited him.
“Cade’s delirious because he’s exhausted.” Sebastian let out a quiet laugh, but as they lay there, he became a little too quiet and his body tensed. For Sebastian, quiet and tense meant he had more on his mind than he wanted to share.
Concerned, she lifted her head, sliding her hand up his chest to rest over his heart. “Tell me?”
He peered at her for a long moment, eyes working over her face, as if he really were worried about something. Finally, he drew a breath and released it. “I have to admit, I’m kind of glad you didn’t end up pregnant. I don’t want kids yet. Not never. Just…not now. I want to enjoy you for a while.”
That weekend their relationship came to a head flitted through her thoughts. Sebastian had staked his claim on her at the cabin by the lake. Too caught up in each other, they’d forgotten the condom. As it turned out, her worry that she might be pregnant had been a false alarm.
She smiled, relieved that’s all that worried him, and laid her head on his chest again. “Me neither. I don’t think I’m ready yet. I’d rather enjoy this for a while, just the two of us.”
His arms tightened around her, his body relaxing, and he kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad we agree.
I was afraid to tell you. I’ve disappointed you enough. So, what do you plan to do about the auction?”
The familiar face popped into her mind, and she couldn’t help smiling. “Oh, I know a certain bachelor who’s been evading me. I don’t intend to take no for an answer this year from Grayson Lockwood.”
Sebastian laughed softly. “Please don’t tell me you’re playing matchmaker again.”
She tried to be serious, she really did, but she couldn’t contain her grin. He knew her too well. “What’s the matter with wanting people to be happy?”
“You can’t fix the whole world, Tina. I feel sorry for the bastard. He doesn’t stand a chance against you. It’s why I always allowed you to volunteer me. You’d look up at me with those eyes, and I was a goner.”
“I’m kind of glad I won’t have to share you anymore. I wasn’t looking forward to this year’s auction.”
“Mmm. Me neither.” He hooked a finger beneath her chin, tilting her face to his, and playfully nipped at her bottom lip. “Now you’re all mine.”
Her heart swelled. “And you’re mine.”
He brushed a tender kiss across her mouth and resettled. Silence once again rose over them, comfortable and intimate. Christina closed her eyes, giving in to the luscious pull of sleepy satiation and contentment, and snuggled farther into his chest, letting his scent and the warmth of his body lull her.
“I love you, you know that?”
His voice drifted through the semidarkness of the room barely above a whisper, but so heartfelt and honest, tears pricked her eyes. If it were possible to love him any more…
She lifted her head, meeting his gaze, and brushed a soft kiss across his mouth. She was so damn grateful for him. “So much.”
Please keep reading for a preview of Bargaining for the Billionaire, the next book in JM Stewart’s Seattle Bachelors series.
Available September 2016!
