Pursuit of innocence, p.32
Pursuit of Innocence, page 32
Jackson secures Kevin’s hands behind his back and stands facing us. “I knocked him out. Fucker had it coming. You gave us quite the scare, Lily. Be real with me, did he hurt you? Say the word, and I’ll make sure he can’t do anything like this ever again. I mean it,” Jackson says with a gun in his hand.
“No, Jackson, I swear. He was about to, but really, you got here just in time. Thank you.” He nods his head and my tears start to flow again.
“I’ll stay and watch over him while you take Lily back to her place. I already texted Cici. She’s frantic. The cops are on their way. Go, I got this.” He nods to Sebastian and smiles at me sadly.
“Thank you, Jackson. This wouldn’t have been easy without you. I appreciate your help, even though it wasn’t for me.” On that final note, Sebastian walks out the door. I realize where we are as he steps outside. We’re only two blocks from my building. What the hell?
“I can walk now, Sebastian. It’s not far.” I feel silly being carried down the street.
He looks at me fiercely. “I told you I was never letting you go, and I meant it. I almost lost you, Lily. Twice. First from my own behavior and then because of some psychopath. This could’ve been prevented had I handled things differently. I’m so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?” The remorse on his face is almost too much to bear.
Before I can respond, though, Cici is yelling my name and running toward us. Immediately she throws her arms around me, crying. “I was so worried about you. I can’t believe he took you. God, I should’ve called to make sure. Oh, Lily, I’m so sorry.”
“You all need to quit saying you’re sorry and blaming yourselves. This is no one’s fault but Kevin’s. I know he texted you, Cici. There was no reason for you to call me. I was the idiot who let him slip something into my drink.” How did I let that happen?
“Come on, let’s get her inside so she can relax before the police arrive. I’m sure they’ll want a full statement, and then we can all hear the details together. Jackson probably wants to be clued in as well, so let’s just rest and regroup for now.” Wow. I never thought Sebastian would consider Jackson’s feelings or that things may be normal between us three, but apparently something good did come out of this.
Sebastian
I can’t get enough of her, can’t stop touching her, afraid she’ll disappear. She may get annoyed with my hovering, but I can’t seem to help it. The thoughts that went through my mind from the moment I knew she was in trouble until having her in my arms are too fresh for me to give her an ounce of space. I don’t know how it happened or when exactly, but I fell in love with Lily somewhere along the way, and now that it’s hit me, I refuse to let her go. It kills me that it took something so drastic to make me realize it.
We haven’t had a moment to talk about us or where we stand, but I can’t go any longer without making my feelings known. The police showed up minutes after returning to her place with Jackson not far behind, both assuring us that Kevin was in custody. After the questioning she had to endure and each of us having to give our statements, she was exhausted. By the time I carried her to my bed upon bringing her to my place, she was practically passed out. I texted Eli on the way home and filled him in briefly, letting him know I wouldn’t be in the office for a day or two. He was shocked, of course, and I assured him I’d share details soon.
She didn’t protest when I announced we were leaving her apartment. No question as to where we were going. Her body’s sag of relief when I said it was time for us to go assured me it was what she needed. I held her to me the whole way here and couldn’t stop staring just to assure myself she was okay. Now my body refuses to give her an inch of space as I gaze down at her while she sleeps. There’s no question she belongs here with me.
Hearing the words that asshole said to her and what he was about to do before we arrived made my blood boil. Thanks to Cici’s insistence that I stay and my security officer’s instincts, we made it to her in time but not soon enough to keep his hands off her completely. Yet again, my own stubbornness almost got in the way. I won’t make that mistake again.
There will be no doubt after tonight how I feel about her, and if I’m lucky, she’ll give me the chance to prove it.
It looks like I’m about to find out. Judging by her movements, she’s scared as she starts to wake.
“Lily, you’re okay. I’m here. I’ve got you,” I say soothingly, pulling her in tight and rubbing her back.
Blinking her eyes open, she looks up at me in relief, then nuzzles into my chest. I’m the luckiest man in the world right now. I don’t think I deserve her in any way, but I vow to work on becoming the kind of man that does.
“How are you feeling, sweetheart? What’s happening in that mind of yours?” I can’t imagine the fear she must have gone through and the effect it will have. I want to be here for her and help her through this.
“I’m trying to figure out what I’m doing here and why you were even looking for me. The last time we were together you said we were done. I’m confused.” Her head is on my chest, and she’s running her fingers lightly over my skin as she lies there.
“That’s not where I thought you’d start, and trust me, I do want to get to that, but can you tell me how you’re doing right now? That was a lot to go through, and I’m worried about you, baby.” I don’t want her to hold anything in only to have it come back and haunt her. I want no distractions when we get to the conversation about her and me.
“I just feel so stupid. I keep wondering if there were signs I missed along the way. To be completely blindsided like that is just crazy. How could the fact that he was mentally disturbed not register at some point over the years, or was I just that oblivious? I’m mad I let myself fall into that situation. And honestly, the worst part is I can’t stop thinking about what was about to happen when you got there and if you hadn’t … I was so helpless. I wouldn’t have been able to stop him.” After unloading it all, her sobs take over.
I hold her tight and let the tears flow. She needs this release. I knew it was there somewhere, waiting to come out, and I’m glad to be the one to comfort her while she lets go. Only when her breathing slows and her tears become a trickle do I speak.
“There’s no telling how long he may have been like that, Lily. He could have been perfectly normal until something triggered a psychotic episode. Chances are, there were no signs, nothing you missed or would have picked up on. Don’t rack your brain thinking back, and don’t blame yourself for any part of this. You were the victim of a calculated attack. You trusted a friend who gave you no reason otherwise. As far as what could’ve happened … I can’t say my mind is functioning any better than yours on that topic. We did get there in time, though, and what could have happened didn’t. To imagine a different outcome does neither of us any good. You’re here now, safe in my arms, and I swear I won’t let anybody hurt you again.” I hold her tight, never wanting to let go.
She rises slightly and leans on her elbow, looking at me. I wipe her tears as she speaks. “Thank you for coming for me. You still need to explain how you ended up on my doorstep, but I need to say something first. When I was in that room, not knowing what the future looked like or how it would end, I had one regret over all others … I never told you how I felt. I was afraid to scare you away. But you deserve to know. Sebastian, I love you. And it’s okay if—”
I cut her off with a kiss. God, how I’ve missed her. She just made me the happiest fucking bastard in the world, and she has no idea I feel the same. Pulling back, I smile for the first time in days.
“God, you have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I was so afraid you were done dealing with my bullshit. The feelings I have for you scare the crap out of me, Lily, and rather than give in to them I kept trying to push you away. My dad took his own life. He left my brother and me because he was too in love with my mom and deep down it wrecked me. He chose his love for her over his love for us and I never got over it. I told myself I would never lose myself to love like he did.” She wraps around me and buries her head in my chest.
“I’m so sorry, Sebastian. That wasn’t fair to you and I’m sure it hurts.” I pull back and lift her chin to look at me.
“I was on your doorstep this morning to tell you you’re mine whether you liked it or not. I wasn’t taking no for an answer, because, Lily, I get it now. I’m so fucking in love with you, it hurts. I’m sorry it took something like this to make me realize it for what it was. I fucked up.” I cup her cheeks in my hands and pull her in close. “I love you, Lily Thompson, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make it up to you from this moment on.” The tears are rolling down her face as I kiss them away, before kissing her deeply, putting all the love so desperately trying to get out into this one kiss.
She pulls back a minute later to look at me. “Sebastian, I feel like I’m in a dream. I went from my worst nightmare to never wanting to wake up.”
“Sweetheart, you don’t ever have to wake up, because this is forever.”
Epilogue
Five months later
Lily
“Lily, Mr. Dubree requested you in his office.” Jackie, the marketing department’s secretary, announces through my phone.
“Sounds good. I’ll head up shortly.”
“Um, he said it was important and to drop whatever you’re doing. Sorry,” she says hesitantly.
“That’s okay, Jackie. You’re just the messenger. Thanks.” I hang up and roll my eyes. Sebastian will only communicate through our secretaries at work these days. He’s being stubborn because I won’t move to the executive level with him. I admit, it would be a heck of a lot easier for us, but I refuse to be treated differently than other employees. Well, I am treated very differently, just not in regard to work.
The day he rescued me, my life changed drastically. After we both admitted our feelings, Sebastian tried demanding a few things. He wanted me to quit working for Brad and take on a permanent role at Dubree Enterprises. That one was easy, especially since the pay was worth it, and after my last conversation with Brad the night of the gala, I wasn’t looking forward to returning. Now that I’ve graduated, I have a full-time position in the marketing department with a team of people I love and more than enough creative work to keep me busy.
The next thing he insisted on ended up being our first point of contention in our newly established relationship. He wanted me to move in with him, saying it was the only way he could rest, knowing I’d be safe. Part of me, the one that was still shaken up over my abduction, wanted to cave immediately. Even though Kevin was safely locked inside a psychiatric facility, the fear remained. The more independent side, however, rebelled. I wasn’t ready to give up my own space, even though most nights I was at his place, or he was at mine. Needless to say, Sebastian doesn’t do well with defiance, and after a grueling two months, I relented.
Cici was moving anyway right after graduation. She decided the only way to get her parents off her back was to take a job in another state, and not in property management. She put her people skills to good use and became a real estate agent in some booming town in Montana. Said it was far enough away but not the other side of the country so we could see each other easier. I haven’t made it to Bozeman yet, and she’s doing so well with her new job, she hasn’t had time to visit either. I miss her like crazy, but at least I have Ebony. Cici was sad to leave her but refused to take her from me after the whole kidnapping episode. Ebony was glued to me after, like she knew I needed comfort.
Since living together for the last three months, I’ve had time to reflect. I love Sebastian with all my heart, and I know he feels the same. But more than that, to feel truly cared for, for the first time in over seven years is humbling. He makes me want for nothing and treats me like the most precious thing in the world. It’s a good feeling and made me realize how truly abandoned I’d felt since my dad left all those years ago. To have that weight lifted from my shoulders has made me breathe easier, smile more and enjoy life from a different perspective.
Lucy and I give each other knowing smirks as I pass by to open the door to his office, closing it behind me.
“Jackie said you needed to see me right away? I was right in the middle of something, you know.” I love riling him up.
“You’re going to be right in the middle of something else in a minute. Now get your ass over here and explain why Blake is the one telling me that you’re not going home after work instead of hearing it from you.” He scoots his chair back for me to come around and stand in front of him.
“Geez, he’s fast. I just made plans an hour ago, and like I said, I was in the middle of something. If you’d been patient, you would’ve found out at lunch.” I’m now leaning back against Sebastian’s desk, facing him with my arms crossed over my chest.
“You had time to let Blake know, just not me?”
“That’s because his day revolves around our schedules, and I wanted to give him ample time to make other plans. I know it’s your night with Eli, so it wasn’t time sensitive to tell you. You good now?” He’s been very protective of me since that day five months ago. I’m lucky to have an ounce of freedom, but in all honesty, I love it. He makes me feel safe, and other than Cici, and now Natalie and Lucy since Cici up and moved away, there’s no one else I care to be around anyway.
“You forgot to mention why it is you’re not going home. And you’ve rolled your eyes twice now. Make it a third and you know what’ll happen.”
Make it a third.… Hmmm, tempting. “Cici texted me. She booked a last-minute flight to finally come visit and asked if I could meet for dinner. I probably won’t be out late. It’s just … she knows about your weekly nights out with Eli and figured it was perfect timing. It’s not like I won’t have security with me.” Oops, that eye roll just slipped out. He grins knowingly.
Sebastian
I lunge forward and flip her around, bending her over my desk. Her delectable ass on display is mouthwatering. “You like to play with fire, don’t you, Lily? You should know by now that I’m more tense on days I’ll be away from you. I think you like to push my buttons.” My little mouse has become quite the lion of late. She’s almost as insatiable as me. “Your ass is begging for it, isn’t it?”
“It wasn’t intentional that time, just habit. And Sebastian, you act like this every Wednesday. You know you’ll have to get used to it at some point and relax.”
“Let me show you what I do to relax, Lily.” Her skirt is pulled up, and I feel her smooth and silky skin.
“Grab the edge of my desk with both hands and don’t move them. Understand?”
“Yes, sir.” She grabs on while I pull back my hand and bring it down hard on her ass. The sound makes my dick jerk. She moans, and I bet she’s already slick for me. I decide to find out.
“Is your pussy wet for me?” Plunging two fingers in, she cries out.
“Yes, Sebastian.”
Fuck, she’s always so ready. She probably started dripping on her way to my office. I remove my hand and smack her ass again, harder this time. She calls out my name, making my cock strain even more inside my slacks.
This time after I dip into her soaking entrance, I bring my thumb up and rim her tight pucker above. I reach my other hand around to her front and rub her sweet spot as I slide into her tightness.
“You like that, don’t you, baby? Do you want me to fuck you here? Take your last virgin hole for myself?” Ever so slowly I move in and out while I rub her clit. I can feel her channel tightening, and I know she’s close.
“Please, yes, I want it.” She’s right there, but I pull back.
“Don’t worry, baby. I promise that hole’s mine, but we’ll be in our bed for that. Right now, I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re going to feel me all night.” I unzip and guide the head to her entrance, rubbing it up and down, slathering it in her slickness. “You ready to come around my cock, baby?”
“Yes, please take me, Sebastian. Now.”
“Hold on tight, sweetheart. This won’t be gentle.” Pressing my hand onto her back, I push down firmly as I plunge in deep with one quick thrust. I don’t pause before pulling back and pounding into her relentlessly. Using her body as leverage, I grab her shoulder with one hand and drive into her as hard as I can.
“Fuck, baby, you feel so tight like this. You’re taking me so good.” Over and over, I thrust, fucking her harder than ever before. I grunt in exertion. The feel of her round ass slapping up against me feels like sin and the noise is music to my ears. Bending her over my desk gets me so much deeper. She’s screaming my name, begging me not to stop. With her climax closing in, I reach for her clit to bring it home.
“Good girl. You’ve got it.” Her walls are clenching. “Scream for me, Lily. Give it to me, now.” She comes undone, forcing my own climax to follow.
“Fuck, yes. Ahhh … God.” I grunt out the rest of my release, filling her with my seed while I milk her climax as long as I can. Fuck, bringing her over the edge is one of my favorite things in life. I love pushing her to the limit of what she can take and even past it sometimes. What’s surprising is how high her limits seem to be. Collapsing over her, I shower her back with kisses. God, I’ll never tire of this. We lie there in silence for a moment, catching our breath.
I lift myself off, helping her up as I go. “Wow, Sebastian, that was … just wow. You’ve ruined me for life, I swear. There’s no way you can top that.”
“That sounds like a challenge, sweetheart. One I am certainly looking forward to. Luckily, we have our whole lives to complete it.” I kiss her before she walks to the bathroom.
That’s the hardest I’ve let her have it, she’ll definitely be feeling that all night. It might not be a fair excuse, but I can’t put her kidnapping to rest. It plagues my mind every time I’m without her, making the beast come out in me. My worry takes over, and it becomes difficult to keep myself in check. As important as it is that Eli and I have these weekly nights out, it still takes a toll on me. Which is precisely why I need them, to maintain some sort of sanity when it comes to my love for Lily. Falling hard for the woman in our life must run in the family. I can’t wait until Eli finds his.
