Sebastian: The Complete Series (29 page)

“Sebastian…” A long sigh. “I'm sorry. I told you, the thought of you being with other men pisses me off, but I wouldn’t use that to hurt you back.”

“You just did.” I slid over a plate to him and tried to walk to the table, but he held me still, turning me so we were looking at each other, my back pressed up against the bar and his big body in front of me.

“I didn’t mean to.”

“But you did. You knew it would hurt me, and did it anyway.” I was trying not to look into his eyes, instead staring at his chest, keeping my hands fisted beside my thighs so I didn’t reach out and touch him, grab hold of him and keep him with me. “I shouldn’t feel so jealous considering what I'm asking from you, but I do.”

“Ah, jealousy.” Robert leaned back and smiled at the ceiling. “You’re jealous. Okay.”

“You thought I wouldn’t be?”

“I didn’t know how you felt about me.”

“Okay, well I don’t want you to fuck around or see anyone else. If we’re going to try, then we do it properly.”

“I just said I wouldn’t.”

“You did not.” I huffed before pushing my face into his chest and breathing in his scent. “I missed you today.”

He chuckled softly. “I missed you too, but it was nice to come home and find you here.”

“Cooking? That's not going to happen all the time, just to make that clear.”

“It doesn’t have to. I mainly do all the cooking, so it’s nice to come home and have it all done. I'm starving. Let’s eat. I’m grumpy when I'm hungry.”

J
ust like the last few times we ate together, Robert slid my chair right next to him so we were touching constantly and wrapped his arm around the back of my shoulders, caressing my neck with soft touches while I sipped my wine.

I'm never really in the mood for food, but after cooking it and the minor argument, I felt even less like eating. He noticed of course and placed a slice of cucumber against my lips, waiting until I opened my mouth and took it from him quickly, not in the mood to tease him.

“Oh dear, you are in a strop with me, aren’t you? Come here.” He launched me off my own chair, plonking me on his knee and turning me so I was sitting sideways on him. “Kiss me.”

“I thought we were eating.”

“I want a kiss first.”

“If you're going to be so demanding, maybe you should slap a few hundred quid on the table and I’ll feel more inclined to do it.”

“Sebastian!” Robert growled out my name and I closed my eyes. I shouldn’t have said that.

“Okay, just… Don’t boss me around.”

“You need it.”

“You don’t know what I need.” I folded my arms across my chest.

“Oh, don’t be a child.” He grabbed hold of my t-shirt, fisting it his hand and pulling my mouth to his. I tried to not kiss him back, but it was a lost cause and I found my lips sliding against his, searching out his tongue and kissing him hard and deep, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my knee into his cock. By the time we pulled apart, we were both breathless and I was ready to forget dinner and go for something much better in my mouth.

Robert smiled at me, running his fingertip down my jaw and cupping my chin in his soft grip. “Don’t throw me being an ex-client back in my face, and I’ll do the same with your age. Deal?”

I nodded, feeling more ashamed of what I'd said by the second. “I'm sorry.”

“It’s okay. Now eat.”

“Is everything you say going to sound like an order?”

“When you need it to, yes. Eat!”

“Feed me then.” I toyed with the collar of his shirt and leaned in, brushing a soft, teasing kiss on his lips. “I like it when you do it.”

“I know you do.” He single handed cut up a piece of the lasagne and placed it in my mouth, feeding himself one afterwards. “Hmm, nice.”

“Thanks.” I placed a slice of pepper against his lips, smiling as he licked it, doing what I usually do to him and sucking my finger when I pulled it from his mouth. “Hmm, you made my cock jerk when you did that.”

“That's what happens to me every time you do it to me.”

I laughed before he placed another forkful of food in my mouth. We’d done this with almost every meal and afterwards we’d ended up hard as hell and getting each other off in some way.

“So, what did you get up to this afternoon, apart from gossiping with Sheila?” Robert let me suck off some of the sauce from his finger.

I wasn’t going to mention the call at all. He’d really think I was snooping if I did. “I caught up on my book, called my mum—oh she wants to meet you, then I cooked this—”

“You told your mum about me?” He grinned at me and I nodded. “Everything about me?”

“Well, I missed out the money and the shit with Anthony, but everything else, yeah.”

“I wish you wouldn’t tie me and him together like that.”

“I don’t mean to.” I kissed him quickly, not wanting another disagreement. “I just meant, that part of me, that's all.”

“And what does she think of me?” He fed me another mouthful then himself, while he chewed I kissed his neck.

“She’s disappointed I broke up with Harry.”

He stopped chewing and looked blankly at me.

“Didn’t I tell you I lied about me and him? I thought I did, maybe not. Obviously not. Okay, so… Hey, we weren’t together. I just told her that. She likes you too.”

“Really?”

“Well, she wants to meet you.”

“So she can quiz me.” He had a drink, and then let me take a sip from his glass. “How old is your mum? And what’s her name?”

“Jayne, and she’s…” I had to think hard about it. “Thirty seven.”

“Thirty seven?” He rolled his eyes backwards and groaned. “I thought she’d be older.”

“She had me young.”

“She’s going to hate me.”

“What’s to hate about you?” I kissed him again. “Nothing.” It made me smile against his lips knowing he shared the same fears I had about his parents. “I said not now anyway.”

“Good. Gives me time to work up to it.”

“Yeah, I need time with yours too, so don’t plan any family get togethers just yet. She’s obviously still on the whole ‘get you and the ex back together’ boat.”

“It won't happen.” He kissed me softly then fed me more food. “Your dad’s called Michael, right?”

“Well remembered. Why all the questions?”

“Don’t you think I should know?”

“Well, I don’t know yours. Oh no, wait. Your step dad’s called Jeremy, right?”

“Yes.” He smiled as he drank more wine. “My mum’s called Charlotte and my sister’s called Hannah.”

Hannah! The gift that poncy bloke on the phone was talking about his sister. Thinking back, Robert did mention she was having a birthday this month, so maybe it’s not so bad after all.

“And your dad?”

He smiled sadly, playing with his shirt cuff for a second before looking back into my eyes. “Sebastian.”

“Hmm?” I licked more sauce off his finger.

“No, his name. It was Sebastian.”

I jerked my head up to his and glared at him.

“It’s the truth. I questioned you about your name the first time we met. When you said it was your real name I… I don’t know. It was strange.”

“That’s… yeah, you're right. It’s weird. I don’t mind Seb, did he? I'm trying to make this better for you.”

“It’s not a problem. I like the name. I like calling you it. I don’t mind Seb, but Sebastian is a much prettier name. He never shortened it down. Never shortened my name down.”

“Is that where your hatred of Robbie comes from, or can I call you Rob, Bob… Bobby?”

He paused with his fork near his mouth for a moment when I said Bobby. If I hadn't been looking for it, I wouldn’t have noticed, but there it was. The pause.

“Robert.”

“Fine.” I picked up my own fork and played with my plate of food. A habit I'd gotten into years ago when I didn’t want to eat or talk but look busy. “It’s how I always think of you anyway.”

Robert took my fork from my fingers and turned me to face him, quizzing me for a second until I smiled at him, kissing him briefly.

“I'm sorry about your dad.”

“Oh…” He nodded, believing my quietness was about his dad and not anything else. “Thank you.” He fed us both another bite, then lifted his glass to my lips, watching me take a longer drink. “Would you like to go out for a drink after dinner to the local pub?”

“Not really. I can't be bothered getting dressed, not that I think I would fit in my jeans now anyway.” I glanced at my stomach, pasta bloats me something horrible. “I need to finish reading that book, but if you wan—”

“No-no. It’s fine. I thought you may want to get out of the house for a bit.”

“I'm fine staying in.”

“Sebastian, he won't hurt you while I'm here. He doesn’t know where you are.”

I had my wine glass at my mouth while I nodded. I hadn't said I was worried, but obviously he knew I was. “I know. I just don’t feel like it.”

“Is this the longest you’ve ever stayed inside?”

“Yeah.” I laughed down at him. “It’s nice though. It’s nice with you. We could go out Friday for dinner. I want to go to Soho.”

“You would.” He grinned at me. “Yeah, okay. Friday is good with me. I’ll get home early. Sixish.”

“I need new clothes. I’m going to order some online tonight.”

“You need money?”

“I brought my cards.”

“Okay.” Robert fed me another mouthful. “But just to make this clear, you’ve not gained weight. And even if you had, it’s only the weight you’ve lost since you and I first met.”

“You like me slim.”

“You
were
slim, now you’re bordering on underweight. There’s a big difference and you know it. You’re gorgeous no matter what size you are, but I’d like you to be a little heavier just for your heath’s sake.”

“You’re doing a good job so far.” I moved closer, rubbing my knee into his dick and taking a bite from his fork. “Such a good job, Doctor.”

“Hmm. Well, you’re such a good patient, Mr Knight. How could I not take extra special care of you?”

“I like the way you take care of me.” I kissed him slowly.

“Good, because that's how it will always be. I'm here to look after you, care about you.” He faltered then smiled. “Protect you.”

“Thank you, Robert.” I rolled the r and the t, making him grin.

“I love how you say my name.”

R
obert left the next morning super early, like middle of the night early to me. It was five when he left the house and I briefly felt sorry for keeping him up late watching the Matrix. He’d never seen it!! Holy shit. It’s a classic. How could he not have seen it? Anyway, hours of explaining why I thought it was so brilliant and perhaps too long saying how Keanu Reeves was drop dead gorgeous, we went to sleep. I had no idea he would have to be up so early.

It was around ten when I'd got out of the shower. I was mooching around the garden getting some fresh air while I sent a few texts and caught up on Facebook, drinking my first cup of coffee, when Harry called me.

“Hey, Harry Warry.”

“Good Morning. How’s it going?”

“Cool. It’s fine here. How’s everything at home?”

“I'm not there. I'm closer to you right now than Leeds. I'm back at my parent’s place.”

“Why? Are you and Leigh okay?”

“Yes, we’re fine. I’m just sorting a few things out. He’s staying with your mum.”

“What?”

“Well, I couldn't bring him here, could I? And I wasn’t leaving him alone while all this is going on. She’s fine with it. They’re great friends already. By the way, I'm coming out to my parents this weekend. Fancy being there with me, as my gayer, camper friend?”

“I am not camp.”

“Yeah… so, are you coming?”

“You're really doing this?”

“Yep.”

“Wow! I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Can I bring popcorn?”

“Bitch, you’d better support me or I’m never covering your arse again when your mum calls round unexpectedly.”

“Fine! What else you doing?”

“Looking for a job.”

“Oooo.”

“Yes, I know.”

“Down here?”

“Yeah.”

“And what about Leigh?”

“He’s coming with me.”

“Oh…” Well, that was unexpected.

“I love him.”

“Oh…” Another unexpected answer. “Anything else? I mean, he’s not up the duff or anything, is he?”

“It’s physically and biologically impossible for him to be pregnant, but no.”

“Right.” I sniggered down the phone. “Aww you’re in love, that’s so amazing, Harry Warry.”

“I know.” I could hear the smile coming down the phone. “Fancy meeting up for lunch, or are you too busy with your doctor?”

“He’s working and I don’t know how to get to you, and even if I did, I don’t have a car.”

“I’ve got mine. Give me his address and I’ll come pick you up.”

“Yay!” I was dancing around, waving my hands in the air.

“You’re doing your happy dance, aren’t you?”

“Leave me alone, don’t spoil my mojo. Oh, can you take me clothes shopping?”

He sighed heavily. “Yes, okay.”

“Another YAY!!”

“You’ve had coffee, haven't you?”

“Erm… one big one, but I think Robert gets super strength so its effect is worse.”

“Oh goodie.” He sighed, and I could feel the eyes rolling down the phone. “So… address?”

A couple of hours later, I was dressed, sort of, and Harry was mooching around the house while I searched for my shoes. He’d been there about half an hour, but I'd held him hostage in the kitchen while he gave me all the gossip face to face. He and Leigh had talked a lot over the last few days and both didn’t want to be separated, but the work Harry needed was in London. Leigh could easily find a job down here and they were both looking forward to it. Once Harry got his parents up to speed, things would be easier.

I was happy for them both. Harry had been an escort for too long and it was good for him to stop hiding in the job and get back to normal life, and having someone he loved with him just made it even better.

While he was lifting up pictures and ornaments, checking them for what, I don’t know, I thought I’d mention the message.

“Hey, listen to this and tell me what you think.” Robert had checked his messages after dinner while I ran the bath. I’d deliberately left him alone so we wouldn’t end up in another uncomfortable conversation. “Ugh.” I played around with the machine, but all the messages were gone, well, not all. I found one from the day before, but that message…

“Why would he delete that one but leave the others?” It was setting off alarm bells and I could feel them chiming like Big Ben in my ears. They were so loud I could’ve been inside the fucking bell itself, going deaf like poor Quasimodo, laughing like a lunatic as the people passing by gave me, and my newly acquired humpback, odd looks as I shouted out, ‘The bells, they made me deaf, you know.’ When I came out of my daydream, Harry was staring at me in his now familiar, ‘this guy should be in a loony home’ look, which as usual, I totally waved away. Where was I? Oh, yeah… “He’s hiding something from me.”

“Yes.” Harry moved to me and stopped me from nervously tapping my fingers on the phone. “But it may not be what you’re thinking about.” He didn’t believe a word he said and I saw it.

“You think like I do. That’s his ex.”

“Yeah.” Harry ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. “Would you like to go snoop on him?”

“Yes!” I didn’t even pause. “We have time to get there. He’s at The Connaught, that hotel we went to your… whoever’s wedding.”

“Let’s get going. Parking’s a bitch round there.”

Neither of us seemed to have gotten out of the escort uniform just yet and we were wearing fitted skinny trousers and shirts. I’d paired mine up with a waistcoat, he had one of those overly big hand kitted things on which he seemed to pull off. It wasn’t exactly warm, so I’d grabbed a nice grey woollen coat from my suitcase and slipped it on. Robert was right about me gaining weight. I wasn’t really any bigger, I just felt it.

All the way there, I switched from thinking it was a stupid idea, to it being the best one ever. I hadn't even asked Robert to let me know if he had plans this afternoon, and why would he just tell me? Okay, so I would expect him to mention meeting up with an ex, but what if it was just a quick visit to grab his sister’s gift and leave? I didn’t think he would be jumping into bed with the guy, but then what was he up to?

“I should call him, at least give him the chance to be honest.

“Fine, do that then.” Harry rolled his eyes as he drove through the busy streets of the city centre.

I ignored the obvious bitch in his attitude and called Robert, going for the totally honest conversation. “Hey, I'm not bothering you, am I?”

“No. I'm just on my way for lunch. Are you in a car?”

“Yes. Don’t worry, I’m with Harry. He came home and we’re going out for a bit of lunch and shopping. Is your lunch business, or can we meet up?” Harry shook his head and I punched him. “It’s okay if you can't.”

“I’d love to meet up…” He paused then sighed. “It’s business really, I just want to get it out of the way, besides, I’d need you on my knee if we ate, and that won't go down too well just yet.” He laughed. “The good news is I'll be home early. I’ll be back around six.”

“Okay.” I wanted to say more, but what could I say? He didn’t really lie, and I didn’t know for sure the guy he was meeting didn’t work with him.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I'm just… I'm okay, Robert.”

“Maybe you should go home.”

“I don’t want to go home.”

“Sebastian, I'm not really comfortable with you and Harry being out alone. I'd like you to go home.”

“It’s your home, not mine and I'm staying out. Enjoy your lunch. I’ll see you at six.”

“Sebastian…” He sighed heavily. “Be careful. I've got to go.” He ended the call right after, no goodbye or see you later, just a dead line.

“What time is it?”

“You have a watch.” Harry replied, doing some sort of head waving thing and tapping his hands on the steering wheel.

“Fine! It’s almost one. That means he’s there now, and I still don’t know if should go.”

“We’re here now, so let’s just do it. I’ll park at my grandmother’s place. It’s only ten minutes’ walk to the hotel from there.”

After parking at his grans place and me going on and on how it wasn’t a house but some sort of small palace, he dragged me out of the drive and down the road. I recognised some of it as we got closer. My memorable second night with Robert was spent there, and it held good memories. I didn’t want those to be spoiled and I was hoping I was being stupid.

The hotel’s bar was out of sight of the restaurant, so we got a glass of wine each and looked, or tried to look, innocent as we walked around. Harry sneakily peeked into the restaurant from the doorway, not seeing anyone, but then not all the tables were easy to see from where we were standing.

“Gentleman, can I help you?” We both winced hearing the waiter bloke behind us.

Harry turned his smile up a notch and nodded to the restaurant. “We’re meeting someone. Just waiting for them to arrive.”

The guy nodded, then his eyes opened wider and he bowed his head slowly. “Forgive my manners, My Lord. I didn’t recognise you.” He was clicking his fingers at a couple of young lads behind him while I gave Harry the evil eye. “A table for Earl Rothsburn and his guest immediately.”

“Crap,” Harry muttered under his breath.

“My Lord? Earl Rothsburn? Seriously?”

“Yes, well… let me explain later.”

“What, when we’re marched in front of Robert and his mysterious guest and I look a right wanker?”

“Robert didn’t say where he was going, he doesn’t know you heard the message, this could all be a coincidence,” he hissed out the last word as a new waiter and the poncy bloke from earlier began to show us through the posh dining room.

“Your usual table, My Lord?”

“You have a table?” I whispered.

“That will be fine.” Harry spoke to the guy, then turned to me. “More my grandmother’s than mine. I told you, I can explain.”

“Is your name really Harry?”

“Yes, well. Sheridan Harry William Rothsburn. The sixteenth Earl of Hastings. You may call me My Lord.” He winked at me.

“How is that even possible?” Sheridan. The child in me was snorting behind his hand. I made a mental note to call him Sherry from then on.

“Birthright.” Harry sat down at the small, round table overlooking most of the restaurant, and I felt like we’d just sat under a huge spotlight as everyone turned to look at us. “Thank you…” Harry paused, recalling something, and then he snapped his fingers. “Thomas.”

“That’s right, My Lord.” The guy smiled like Harry just said he’d won' the lottery. “How nice of you to remember.”

“My grandmother speaks of you often.”

“Please pass along my regards to her Ladyship. May I get you a drink, Sirs?”

“We’re fine, thank you.” Harry lifted his wine glass and the guy nodded, slipping quietly from the table. “Okay, let me explain—”

“Explanations! You’re an Earl, that’s like, I dunno, aristocracy. You didn’t tell me? Why?” The only Earl I knew was called Earl Gray. I would have said that out loud if I hadn't been so shocked.

“Because I hate it. Just because I was born into it, doesn’t mean I have to enjoy it.”

“You're really here for a job?”

“Well, I'm…” He sighed heavily. “Yes, and I do work in the field of biology, we just happen to own the company. My mother, she married my father very young and had me when she was just twenty two. When they divorced, I went with her, only rarely seeing my father, but I was very close to my grandmother, his mother. He remarried, got himself killed in a skiing accident ten years ago. I was the oldest, so hey presto, the title is mine.”

He held his arms wide, like he’d just finished preforming a magic trick. I half expected him to pull out a top hat, saying, ‘and for my next trick…’

“Pissed his other two boys off to no end, but it’s mine and I’m keeping it just to wind them up.”

What the fuck just happened?

“I don’t know you at all. Is this like the end of a Scooby Doo cartoon where you pull off your mask and I find out you’re some old caretaker up to no good? ‘Oooo, I could have done it if it wasn’t for you pesky kids and that blasted dog!’” I shook my fist and frowned at him, watching him grin back.