Tracing Hearts (26 page)

“O—okay,” I stutter with a rasping voice.

I don't think I’ve ever been this turned on before in my life.

He smiles against my lips. Then, I feel his free hand leave my breast as he reaches down and fidgets with his fly.

Suddenly, a knock at the door startles us. We both look in that direction.

“Who the hell?” he mutters, frustrated. He gives me one last kiss. “Stay here. Don’t move an inch. I’ll get rid of whomever that is, and we’ll resume what you started.” He winks and pushes off the floor on either side of my head.

“What
I
started?” I say.

I watch as he adjusts himself and tries to cover his tented erection with his untucked shirt. His mock horror expression makes me giggle. I raise up on my elbows but get back to a sitting position, when I hear Shelby’s voice.

Damn it. She has the worst timing.

I quickly tie the two parts of my shirt together in a fashionable knot.

“And, I just thought that maybe Emily would love to try some of these,” Shelby says as she walks across the threshold. She spots me sitting on the floor, setting up the next Chess game. “Hi, Emily. Did I interrupt your game?”

“Oh, no. We just finished. I was just setting up for the next round.” I smile politely at her, but what I really want to do is shove her out the door and continue with what we were doing. “I won,” I say with a smirk and look at Sebastian who is eyeing my make-shift wardrobe adjustment with pride. “So what can we do for you, Shelby?”

“Well, I made these cute little desserts I saw on my social media page. They were so easy to make and I thought you might like to try them.”

I smile and stand.

“Thanks. They look delicious.” I take the plate from her and head toward the kitchen. As I pass Sebastian, his pouty face makes me laugh inwardly. I shrug my shoulders in a
what-can-you-do
kind of way, and he sulks all the way to our bedroom.

“So, I have a question. How about if we have a girls day out tomorrow afternoon? We could go shopping, maybe grab a bite to eat, hit a cute little coffee shop I know... What do you think?”

Hmm, what do I think? I don’t think Sebastian will approve of me going off on my own, even if it is with Shelby. Then again, I really could use a day away from all the hiding and looking over my shoulder. I wish Jamie would ask Sebastian out for a guy’s day too. He needs to relax more than I do.

“Um, can I let you know a little later? I’m not sure if Henry has any plans, and I don’t want to over book myself.” I chuckle awkwardly, hoping I didn’t sound as if I need his permission to go anywhere.

“Sure thing. I know how grumpy Jamie gets when I make plans without consulting him.” She rolls her eyes, and I smile broadly.

“Thanks. I’ll let you know, after I’ve had time to discuss our plans for the day.”

“Fair enough. Don't forget to let me know if you like the strawberry roll ups,” she says as she walks toward the front door.

Finally.

“Okay, I will. Talk to you a little later,” I say, closing the door behind her. I don't even have a chance to turn away from the entryway, when I feel Sebastian’s arms snake around my midsection. I squeal in surprise.

“Now where were we?” he whispers against my ear. After turning in his arms, he bends down, and scoops me over his shoulder.

“Agh! Sebastian, you’re going to hurt yourself,” I say as I bounce slightly on his muscular shoulder. He gives my behind a swift slap.

“What little you weigh hardly presents a challenge, Mrs. Smith. Now, it’s time to pay up.” And, he carries me into our bedroom, where we finish what we started.

***

I lie next to Sebastian, sleepy and sated, underneath the cozy cotton sheet of our bed. I glance over at him. He’s got one arm behind his head and the other softly strokes my hand. He smiles when our eyes make contact.

“Don’t look so smug, Mr. Smith. I won the game, and it’s time to pay the piper.”

A deal is a deal.

“I’d hardly call that winning, Mrs. Smith. You cheated and won by default.”

“Ah, but a win is a win, no matter how it’s achieved,” I say with a grin, then I furrow my brow. “Start talking.”

His mouth twists.

“I want a rematch,” he says.

“No.”

“It’s the only fair thing to do.”

“The
‘fair thing to do’
would be admit defeat and give me my prize.”

“Want to go another round?” he says, his eyes twinkling with hope.

“No. No more sex, until you start talking.”

His face falls and he sighs.

“Julia…”

“Are you reneging?”

He closes his eyes and turns his face toward the ceiling.

“You’re reneging. You’re not going to tell me a thing, are you?” He shakes his head grimly. “We had a deal, Sebastian. I won the game and now your job is to tell me why we’re
really
in the Witness Protection Program.” I stare at him, willing him to answer me. The longer he goes without saying a word, the angrier I get. “Fine!” I throw back the sheet and stalk off to my closet, where I sling on a bathrobe, then stomp off to the kitchen. He watches me warily from his position on the bed but still, says nothing.

From the refrigerator, I grab the container of milk, and sit at the breakfast bar, drowning my sorrows in Shelby’s, social media dessert. A few minutes pass before Sebastian comes out of our room. He, too, pours a glass of milk and sits on a stool next to me. I turn my back to him in response.

“Wow, you’re really mad at me, aren’t you?” I say nothing, just like he was doing to me.

Ha!

I hear him sigh heavily. “I know you want to know all the gory details as to why we’re in the position we’re in, but I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t or won't?” I snap.

“Julia, we’ve been over this. I won’t put you in any more danger by giving you information, so someone could potentially hurt you. The less you know, the better, really.”

I turn to face him, anger marring my face.

“Have you ever thought I could just play dumb? I’m not a week minded damsel in distress, you know.”

“I know that. I just wouldn’t be able to live with myself if something were to happen to you. I’ve already put you in harm’s way enough for one lifetime. It would kill me to know I made it even worse.”

I scoff at his chivalry and roll my eyes. This man infuriates me. I understand where he’s coming from, his need to protect me, but I’m a grown woman for heaven’s sake. I can take care of myself. How does he know it’ll even come down to something bad happening? Maybe it’ll just go to trial and end with a conviction for whatever went on back in Germany. I blow out a sharp breath. I’m not ready to give up being mad at him just yet.

“I’m going to take a shower,” I state, then walk briskly toward the bathroom.

The water is almost scalding hot as it rains down on me. I rehearse my next conversation with Sebastian in my head, so I can get it just right. But, the more I stew about it, the more I realize he’s not withholding the full story to upset me. He’s doing it because he loves me, and I shouldn’t hold that against him. My internal speech goes from accusatory to apologetic, and I feel like a jerk for trying to force him to go against his better judgment.

When I find him, he’s still at the breakfast bar. I approach him with a guilty conscience.

“Sebastian—”

“Julia, let me go first,” he interrupts. “I know how tough this situation is, especially when you don’t have all the facts. I feel like I’m doing you a favor, sparing you the whole story, but I realize that you need to be able to wrap your mind around all this. And, the best way to do that is for me to tell you everything.”

I hold up my hand, signaling him to stop talking.

“Stop. I don’t want you to tell me.” His puzzled face begs me to explain my contradicting statements. I take a seat on the stool beside him. “First, I want to say I’m sorry. You’ve told me from the start that you didn’t want me to know too much, and I just keep asking. That’s not fair to you. You know this situation better than I do, and I trust you with my life. I believe when you say you’d protect me at all costs. Am I dying to know the whole story? Of course I am, but not if that means you’ll be more worried and stressed than you already are. I’m confident that you’ll tell me all about it one day—when it’s safe to do so. Until then, I’ll just have to trust that you’ve got my back and that you know what’s best for me. Now, don’t get all bossy and demanding and start ordering me around just because I’m giving you this one concession,” I say in jest to lighten the mood.

He smiles.

“Damn. My mind was conjuring all sorts of things I could bully you into doing.”

I smile and roll my eyes.

He places both hands on either side of my face and kisses me tenderly. When he pulls back, his face is filled with sincerity.

“Thank you. I love you for believing in me. I promise not to let you down. Just trust me,” he says, and I nod.

***

Today is the day Shelby wants to go out, so as we clean up the dishes from breakfast, I take this opportunity to spring it on him.

“Sebastian?”

“Hmm?” he hums while drying off the flatware.

“Shelby invited me to have a girl’s day out with her this afternoon.” He freezes slightly but doesn’t look at me.

“Oh?”

“Yeah. She said she wants to get to know me better, and I’m inclined to let her.” I bite my lip and wince a bit, hoping he isn’t about to protest.

“I see,” he says, busying himself by re-drying the same fork he has been since this conversation started.

“She’d like to leave just after lunchtime. She said she’ll drive us, and I’m sure we’ll be back before dinner.” I look up at him through my lashes, but he’s still drying that same fork. “Sebastian?” I say to get his attention. His eyes land on mine. “I could really use the distraction. And, besides,” My arms wind around his stiffened bicep. “I’m sure you’re sick of me by now. Consider it respite.” He snorts, and a small smirk seems to soften his furrowed brow.

“I’m
so
sick of you. I can’t believe I’ve had to put up with you for this long,” he says in jest as he finally lays the fork down on the counter. He turns to face me with a wry smile on his beautifully sculpted lips. I smile back at him.

“Well, don't think for one minute the feeling isn’t mutual, Mr. Smith. I’m tired of you too.” His hands find an imaginary strand of hair, which he absentmindedly brushes off my forehead.

“I know we’ve been together constantly, but I’m hesitant to send you out into the world, unprotected. What if something happens and I’m not there with you?” His eyes are laden with concern now, and I wish there was a way to make him see I’ll be fine.

“No one knows where we are, except Mick, and he’s not talking. I really want to go,” I say, silently begging for his approval—not that I really need it. He sighs heavily.

“Go. Have fun,” he says, and I clap rapidly. “But, be careful. Be aware of your surroundings at all times.”

“I will, I will,” I say excitedly and rise up on my toes to give him a peck on the cheek. “I promise.”

***

The mall was boring, so Shelby and I drove along the shoreline, until we found a cute little coffee shop alongside a strip of quiet shops. Now, here we sit, sipping our lattes and talking about our men.

“And
that’s
how Jamie proposed? Drunk, in a bar, with a twist tie for a ring?”

“Yep,” Shelby says with a giggle. “And I still have that
ring
. It’s blue and in my underwear drawer. Every once in a while, I take it out and put it on. You know, for old time’s sake.”

“That’s the least romantic way of proposing I’ve ever heard,” I chuckle, but feel bad for her.

“It wasn’t as bad as it sounds. He did get down on one knee after getting the drunken crowd’s attention.” She sighs. “He was so sweet back then.”

“Clearly,” I snort, my voice dripping with sarcasm. She looks affronted.

“Well, I guess that means your proposal was so much more romantic, then. How did Henry do it?” My face falls. I hadn’t thought up a story for this.
Damn it. Think fast
.

“Um. Well it’s sort of a long story.”

She looks at her watch. “We’ve got time,” she says with a smirk.

“Uh…okay. It all happened so fast. It really took me by surprise.” I chuckle, uncomfortably, as I stall and try to come up with a sweet, romantic scenario. “Okay, um, one day, we decided to go to the local aquarium. I thought his sudden interest in fish was strange, but it was a nice change of pace from our usual dates, consisting of dinner and a movie. We walked around for hours, looking at all the sea life, and the longer we were there, the more odd his behavior became. I kept asking him if he felt ill. He said he was fine, that he was just tired. I offered to cut the date short, but he was adamant that we stay until closing. Then, after everyone but a few of the staff had gone home, he dragged me briskly over to one of the biggest tanks—the shark tank. We’d been by it earlier, so I was unimpressed. I asked him what we were doing, then told him the employees probably wanted to go home, and that we should leave, but it’s as if he was waiting for something. I watched as the sharks swam around and around, just circling the tank as if wanting to be sprung free for a quick meal. It was eerily mesmerizing. Suddenly, I saw a diver enter the tank. I gasped, worried about his safety. I kept thinking he would be attacked at any moment. When I looked over at Henry, to voice my concern, he was down on one knee. Confused, I looked back at the diver who now held a sign that read:
Emily, Will you marry me? PS. Say yes before this diver gets eaten.
I laughed. I cried. I hugged him tightly, then said ‘yes.’”

“Oh. My. God,” Shelby says, with one hand over her mouth and the other hand clutching her chest. “That is the most romantic thing I think I’ve ever heard.”

“Yeah. It was very memorable,” I lie.

“No wonder you scoffed at the way Jamie proposed. Compared to Henry’s, his just looked lame,” she snorts.

“No. Jamie’s proposal was just right for the two of you. Besides, I’m sure Jamie doesn’t have connections at the aquarium like Sebastian did,” I giggle at my own work of fiction.