A/N: Hello everyone! Thanks for catching up on the new chapter. I'm so happy with all the positive feedback I've gotten over the last week or so. Haven't had time to reply to some of you yet because my life's been pretty crazy in the last few days but what I'm doing isn't important. It's what's next up for Cassandra and Sebastian who have gotten caught up in this whirlwind romance neither of them had planned on in the beginning. 

This might  be a chapter some of you have really been waiting for. *Wink!

Please vote and comment! It means a lot to me to know what you think. =)

***

"What? Why are you looking at me with such a disapproving frown?" I demanded as came down the stairs where Sebastian was waiting.

"That dress is too... enticing," he answered, rubbing his chin. "Find something else to wear."

I glanced down at the lemon yellow sundress I was wearing—the same one I was wearing when I first arrived at Cove Manor—and looked back up at him in disbelief. "It's an old sundress with nothing inappropriate about it."

"I don't want that college boy to be ogling you while we're at the bookstore, okay?" he muttered in exasperation. "I would hate to have to throw him out of his own store but that's what I'm going to do if his eyes linger on you for far too long."

I burst out laughing. "Sebastian Vice, you will do no such thing! You're a grown up, civilized man—most of the time."

A grin tugged at his lips from my teasing. "Yup, today may be one of those few, rare days when I let my neanderthal show."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the car he had parked out by the entrance while I was getting dressed. "Don't be silly. Let's go. I want to start book shopping!"

We took a black Range Rover to the shopping center this time—it was the least conspicuous car in the garage—aware that he was supposed to still lay low. 

He was wearing khaki shorts, a white button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, dark aviator sunglasses and a black baseball cap. It was enough to make him look vague but I took care not to walk too close to him in case he was recognized but that plan flew out of the window when he grabbed my hand and entwined his fingers with mine, keeping me close to his side as we walked past the stores.

Dover's was at a corner of a busy intersection with an old-fashioned, wood-framed glass facade, its name written in gold script across the brick-red metal awning that hovered over the sidewalk.

The chimes sounded when we came in and from the elevated platform across the store where the till was located, a tall woman with short blond hair turned and smiled at me. 

I smiled and waved at Francine, Ty's mother, and pulled Sebastian to the used books section.

"You don't have to buy used ones, you know?" he said as he followed me down the aisle.

"Oh, but I love old books!" I gushed, lifting a couple from the shelves. "Besides, I'm not letting you buy more than the seventy bucks I spent on food so this way, I get more for my money."

He just sighed and rolled his eyes.

I wandered around the aisles for a few minutes, leaving Sebastian to peruse an old, hardbound volume that caught his interest. I left him the basket full of books I've already selected as I hunted for a couple last ones.

I walked past two tall blondes discussing lunch and headed for the classics section.

"Cassie."

I turned and saw Ty standing behind me in track pants and a gray Georgetown shirt, his blond hair falling over his forehead, his lips curved into a charming smile.

"Ty!"

"My mother said you were in," he said, glancing at the books I had tucked in my arms. "I was in the back sorting through the shipment. What are you looking for? Maybe I can help."

"Thanks but I'm almost done here actually," I told him, returning his smile. "How have you been?"

He shrugged. "Busy here, as usual. How have you been? I haven't seen or heard from you since that night of the concert. Was it that bad?"

I flushed at his question, remembering the kiss we shared by the gates. 

"No, of course not!" I protested. "It's just..."

"I'm sorry if I took you by surprise that night," he went on with a wince. "You just looked so beautiful in the moonlight and I really like—"

"Are you ready, Cassandra?"

We both jumped at Sebastian's low growl of a question and turned to see him standing at the end of the aisle, glaring at Ty.

"Almost," I chirped, smiling nervously. 

I knew I wasn't doing anything wrong with Ty but the menace in Sebastian's eyes was enough to make me squirm. 

"Give me five minutes," I told him with a pleading expression turned away from Ty. "I'll meet you at the till."

He glanced at me and then back at Ty before folding his arms across his chest. "I think I'll wait right here."

I glared at him and turned back to Ty with a sweet smile. "I'm sorry, Ty. I can't stay long to chat but I'm glad to see you. Don't worry about that, uh, that night of the concert. I'm not mad at you or anything. I've been busy too and I came down with a flu."

Ty's narrowed gaze moved from Sebastian and back to me. "Are you better now?"

I nodded. "Yes, definitely. Anyway, I really need to—"

"Are you with him, Cass?" he blurted out in a hushed voice.

I glanced nervously over my shoulder and saw that Sebastian was still standing there waiting although he was now distracted by the  two tall, slim blondes I saw earlier.  They were in tank tops and denim cut offs, beaming and batting their lashes at him while twirling their hair.

Irritation slashed through me and my fists unconsciously clenched.

"Cass?" Ty prodded, drawing my attention back to him.

I pressed my lips together into a tight smile. "It's complicated, Ty."

He studied me for a moment. "He's a little too old for you."

I never told Ty my age but I grew a little wary at the conclusions he could arrive at.

The truth was, Sebastian did look older—in a way that a man in his prime would.

The wisdom in his eyes was that of an old soul who'd seen too much, too early but lately, he seemed younger—smiling and laughing often, as sweet and tender as any young guy could be.

I'd often forget we had quite a few years between us.

"Were you somehow forced into this?"

"What? No!" I stared at him in shock. "What kind of question is that?"

"A necessary one considering the guy you're involved with," he muttered, glancing at Sebastian's direction again. "The last time I saw him, he wasn't very nice to you."

I shrugged. "He was just, uh... a little jealous at that time."

"I guess he would be too now except that he's too busy with those Swede models." Ty's voice dripped with sarcasm. "You should probably go, Cassie."

I bit my lip and stared helplessly at his unhappy expression.

I reached out and touched his arm and he glanced at it for a second before meeting my gaze.

"I'm sorry, Ty," I said softly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

He sighed and patted my hand before moving his arm away. "It's alright, Cassie. I just want you to be happy. If he's the key to that, then by all means. But if he makes you cry, I'll break his face."

I grinned. "Ah, but you'd pity him once I'm done hurting him back."

Ty's face broke into a grin. "I almost believe you. I'll see you around, Cassie. Better take your man out of here before all our female customers start slobbering all over his feet."

I waved at him as he turned to leave before pivoting around to march for Sebastian who was still talking with the two female blondes.

Gad, they do look like Swede models.

"Hey," I said with a thin smile, raising a brow at the two girls who towered over me. In fact, between the four of us, I felt like an elf.

"Hey," Sebastian greeted with a smile. "I was just helping Erika and Inga here with some English translations. They wanted to ask the owner about some travel books they're looking for. They're from Sweden and they said they don't know much English."

I pursed my lips sardonically. "Really? Sorry, I was certain I heard them talk about lunch earlier in perfectly good English but then I must've been so distracted fucking around with Ty in the back aisle that I must be mistaken."

Sebastian visibly flinched, his skin paling under his tan.

Even the two blondes gasped, leaving no doubt that they understood me perfectly.

I wasn't really sure what made me say that but I was just so angry.

"Cassandra," Sebastian warned, his voice low and dangerous.

I flashed him a sweet smile. "Don't worry, I'm sure you were too busy translating for these two lovely ladies to notice. Shall we go or should I go ahead and leave you here to further their much-needed English education with your expert mouth and hands?"

"Pardon us, ladies," Sebastian said with a forced smile at our audience. "I'm afraid my girlfriend is getting a little uncomfortable with the heat in here."

One of the blondes gave me a snide look before reaching out to press a palm on Sebastian's chest.

"Get your hands off him," was my quiet but deadly warning, delivering the girl the full impact of my possibly murderous glare. "If you don't, I will break every bone in them. Understood?"

The two blondes glanced at each other and backed away, muttering yes.

Once they were gone, Sebastian turned to me with a dark scowl.

"What?" I demanded, itching for a fight. "Did I go too far? Are you the only one allowed to be jealous?"

His lips twitched. "You're jealous."

I rolled my eyes. "Oh, I don't know, genius. Maybe I just enjoy handing out threats of bodily harm to random females who are eye-fucking you."

"Twice you've said the dirty word," he said with a wince although he now wore a slightly amused expression. "You must be really pissed. I was just talking to them. It helped distract me from wanting to rip off your college boy's arms after you touchedhim."

I reddened at that and puffed my chest. "I hurt him. I was just telling him I was sorry."

"While he's eye-fucking you."

"That's it, I'm leaving," I blustered, angrily shoving him out of the way. "Go after your blond babes. Maybe they can have you for lunch."

"Not so fast, sweet," he said, catching my elbow and pulling me back to him. "I don't care about the blondes. I've had models for lunch and I'm not interested in the same dish."

"You are disgusting," I hissed, punching his arm when he wouldn't let me go. 

"But you love me," he said softly, grinning down at me. "And you were jealous."

I shot him a taunting look. "You called me your girlfriend."

He shrugged. "It wasn't the most accurate term but it was close enough to make my point."

I blew the hair out of my face and sagged in his arms. "Those two girls looked like they didn't believe you. I'll just poke their eyes out next time without a courtesy warning."

He laughed and rubbed his nose against my cheek. "Ah, you really are bloodthirsty, my darling. You looked like a fiery warrior princess earlier, thrusting your chin up and daring those two girls to fight you."

I couldn't help a smile. "I felt badass." 

He just laughed more and kissed me hungrily, his arms wrapped around my waist.

We broke off at someone clearing his throat and we saw an elderly gentleman glaring at us from the aisle across. 

I giggled and grabbed the basket of books, shoving a grinning Sebastian towards the till.

He paid for the books, chatted quickly with Francine about business and carried out our two bags of purchases.

We deposited the books in the car and went to a local bistro and had some gourmet pizza for lunch. Afterwards, we went for a stroll around the shops where I had to protest several times to keep him from buying me stuff.

The only thing I accepted was a small bouquet of pink and yellow daisies he bought from a sidewalk vendor. 

He handed the flowers to me with a small, hardbound book he had apparently purchased from Dover's when I wasn't looking. It looked to be the same one he'd been reading while waiting for me.

It was The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It was one of my favorite books.

"What's the book for?" I asked, looking up to him in surprise.

He smiled and opened the book to a page.

"The little prince went off to see the roses again.

'You're not at all like my rose; you're nothing special yet,' he told them. 'Nobody has tamed you and you haven't tamed anyone. My fox used to be like you. He was just a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But I made him my friend, and now he's absolutely unique.'

And the roses felt very uncomfortable.

'You are beautiful, but you are empty,' he added. 'Nobody would die for you. Of course, any ordinary person walking past my rose would think that she was just like you. But she is much more important than all of you put together, because she's the one I watered. She's the one I sheltered under a glass dome, she's the one I protected with the screen. She's the one whose caterpillars I killed (except for the two or three for the butterflies). She's the one I listened to complaining, or boasting, or even sometimes being silent. Because she's my rose.'"

I smiled softly, my eyes prickling, as Sebastian closed the book and lowered it.

"Are you saying you've tamed me and I've tamed you?" I asked teasingly as he cupped my face and brushed a thumb across my cheek.

"None of the other roses matter to me, Cassandra," he murmured, lightly pressing his lips against mine. "None of them will ever mean to me as much as you do. Because you're my rose—well, my daisy in this case."

I laughed and kissed him more as my insecurities melted like ice in the summer sun.

There will always be women who'd want him but he was assuring me that I was the one he wanted. 

What did that mean? 

Was he giving me his heart?

Was he saying he loved me?

And if he did, was there anything for us once summer was over?

***

The day before my birthday was pretty tense.

I spent it out on the garden working on the plants while Sebastian cloistered himself in his office for most of the day. 

As much as I'd missed his company, I was glad he wasn't there when I got the email reply from the university about my application for financial aid. 

I was declined due to the family's substantial income which was based from a year ago, just after my aunt and uncle died and Timothy was yet to squander the money. I wasn't surprised but my heart grew heavy. The only other applications I'd applied for were for privately funded scholarships and bursaries. They based acceptance on academic merit and I had good grades and recommendations. I crossed my fingers that there weren't too many geniuses ahead of me.

I tried to push the matter out of my mind and focused instead on my plans tomorrow.

Sebastian had mentioned taking me out for dinner so I didn't worry about the food. I was intent on what was going to happen after dinner.

I didn't have anything new or nice to wear so I went to the linen room where a sewing machine was stationed and worked on a cranberry-red dress Timothy had stuffed into my suitcase. It was an old one but didn't get worn much because of the small hole in one of the cup sleeves from Timothy's cigarette when I came home from a party once and he was staggering drunk.

I cut the sleeves and restitched the neckline until it resembled a tube top dress with a heart neckline.  It was fitting on the bodice and flared into a full skirt which I shortened so it was only skimming the lower part of my thighs.

I tried it on and was satisfied. 

It looked grown up, flirty and confident on me—like I was a woman ready for the next stage of her life.

I put it away and cleaned up before knocking on the library door.

He was on the phone, pacing in front of his desk. His hair was messy, his feet bare but even in a shirt and jeans, he looked devilishly handsome especially when he looked up and grinned at me.

"Stan, I'll call you right back," he murmured on the phone before setting it down and leaning against the desk.

"Come here," he said before pulling me into his arms and kissing me thoroughly. 

He slowed down and trailed light, moist kisses along the curve of my neck.

"I've missed you."

I smiled and slipped my fingers through his hair. "You saw me two hours ago."

"Which is too long, don't you think?" he asked, his hands spreading flat on each side of my waist, his fingers slowly rubbing my skin through the thin cotton of the tank top I was wearing with my shorts. "I can't imagine the hell I'll be going through when you're out in Philadelphia for college and I'm stuck here."

My breath hitched as he pressed his forehead against mine, his eyes closing. 

So he wanted to see this through even once summer was over. Could this paradise really extend to the real world?

"I'm sure we'll work something out," I told him, rubbing his ear gently between my fingers. "There are things like long weekends and holidays."

He looked up, frowning and pouting like an adorable six-year-old. "Those are far and few throughout the year. No, that will not suffice."

I shrugged helplessly.

"Does it have to be UPenn?" His eyes were pleading. "Maybe you could study closer to here. There's a lot of universities in this side of the country."

I sighed. "Sebastian, I just can't change major plans like that. I've already been accepted. I haven't even applied to any of the schools here in the west coast. I'm sorry."

He exhaled sharply, looking a little petulant. "It's alright. There are other ways. I can always move to Philadelphia."

My eyes widened. "What? Sebastian, no, you can't be serious."

He smiled and kissed me softly on the mouth. "But darling, I am serious about us. I can't let you go. If  I have to be creative to be with you, I will be. Don't worry about it right now. I'll figure something out."

I closed my eyes and kissed him back, my heart in my throat.

This wasn't going to be a summer fling—not when passions flared this hot and feelings ran this deep.

It made me happy, actually—I was scared shitless, of course, but happy nonetheless that I wasn't going to lose him when the days shortened and the cold seeped in.

I didn't say anything but I decided right then and there that if the scholarships didn't pan out, I could transfer to another school in the west coast after the first semester.

He scooped me up and settled me on his lap after sitting down on the long, leather couch, his arm holding me in place as we continued to kiss.

"Touch me," I whispered after a quick intake of breath before leaning forward to suck on his lower lip.

He groaned, his hand lowering from my shoulder but refusing to touch anywhere else where I might catch fire.

Fueled by heat deep in my belly, I straddled his hips, pushing him back against the arm of the couch as I lifted the hem of his shirt and dragged my hands across the hard planes of his chest. 

He growled low in his throat as he yanked his shirt off and closed his eyes at my onslaught of heated kisses and touches.

After a few minutes of agonized patience, he sat up and gripped my elbows and pushed me back against his thighs a little. With a swift hand, he pulled my tank top off of me, leaving me in my bra.

Growling softly, he leaned forward and grazed his lips along my collarbone, his breath warm on the swells of my breast that strained against their confinement in the lacy cups.

Then the phone rang.

My eyes flew open and caught sight of the cursed gadget vibrating on the surface of Sebastian's desk, blaring rudely through the haze of lust that enveloped us.

"Bloody fucking timing," he hissed, pulling his hand away and rolling his head back against the couch's arm, groaning loudly. "Don't answer it. It can wait."

I grinned at the torture etched on his face as I hopped off him and picked up my tank top from the floor. Clutching it against my chest, I walked to the desk and picked the phone up, pressing the answer button and holding it against my ear.

"Sebastian Vice's cellphone, please hold," I answered in my best perky secretary voice, grinning wickedly at Sebastian who looked up and arched a brow at me in amusement.

The man on the other line stuttered a yes, probably aware that he was going to pay for his interruption.

I tiptoed back to Sebastian and handed him the phone.

He reached up and cupped the back of my head, kissing me soundly while holding the phone on one hand.

"I'll come back for you later when it's time for dinner," I murmured against his mouth, giggling softly. "Hopefully, you'd be done with work."

I pulled back and slipped my top back on, aware he was watching me with a heated gaze as he held the phone up to his ear. 

"Stan, didn't I say I was going to call you right back?" he muttered darkly into the phone, his eyes narrowing as I subtly smoothed my hands over my breasts as if I were just fixing my top.

I suppressed a laugh.

I never knew I had a sultry bone in my body but this playful, wicked side of me came out naturally whenever I was around Sebastian. Maybe because it was because I knew of the power I had over him or maybe because he reveled in my sensuality instead of chiding me for it. 

Or maybe it's just because I love him, I thought with a smile, reaching forward to brush the hair off his forehead as he sat on the couch and listened to the man on the other line, his hand absently running and up down my bare thigh.

Giving up my virginity, considering changes to my college plans and merging our lives together somehow after this summer—these were things I would never do for anyone else and that was because I didn't feel this way about anyone other than Sebastian.

My vice.

I bent forward and pressed a quick kiss on his mouth before waving goodbye and heading out of the library.

I went back to my room and spent an hour or so on my laptop looking at schools close to Cobalt Bay. 

The thought of being on the other side of the country, thousands of miles from Sebastian, wasn't sitting well on me despite my assurances to him this afternoon. 

Could I really bear only seeing him a few times in the year? Would his feelings for me change because of the distance?

I shook the negative thoughts out of my head and instead made a quick list of schools to consider. I didn't want to tell him about it yet. I wasn't sure myself if this was going to be a good idea. We may not be able to get enough of each other right now but in the real world, our differences would be magnified. We needed to be sure of what we wanted before making a decision this big.

I headed downstairs to start dinner. 

I was just cutting up the lettuce for a salad when my cellphone rang.

"Kyle?" I asked in mild surprise. 

He was a year ahead of me and had been in Berkley for his freshmen year. We kept in touch with a few occasional emails and a call here and there.

"Hey, Cassie!" he greeted brightly and I could hear his smile from the other line. "I ran into Deanna and she told me you were away for the summer. I just wanted to greet you a happy birthday now in case you're busy celebrating tomorrow."

I smiled. "Thanks, Kyle. You know me. There isn't going to be a crazy, wild party tomorrow."

"But you're going to be eighteen! That's something to celebrate," he said with a laugh. "I had been hoping to see you when I came home for a couple of weeks but that's alright. I came by the pawnshop and there's new staff running it. The manager told me they'd just taken over about a week ago."

I froze. "The pawnshop's been sold? Timothy never said anything to me."

"Looks like he took off a couple of weeks ago, probably after he sold the business," Kyle said. "But they kept the name and they're doing a lot of renovations and updates on it. It's not even fully open yet. They kept most of the staff but under a different management."

I swallowed nervously. "Do you know if the house has been sold too?"

"I don't think so. At least that's what Deanna told me. We thought you knew about all of this."

I sighed and sat down on a stool. "No, not really. Timothy kind of disappeared on me. He hasn't answered any of my calls earlier in the summer so I gave up."

"Don't worry about it, I'm sure it'll be fine," Kyle assured me. "So, are you all excited for college? Heard you're going to UPenn."

I smiled with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. "Yeah. I won't have much time to pack my stuff before I leave but I'm sure I'll manage."

"When are you coming home?" he asked, his tone hopeful. 

"I'm not sure yet but probably around end of August. I'll pretty much have to pack up my stuff and go as soon as I arrive."

"That sucks. I'll be gone before then. Oh, well. There's always next summer."

I smiled. "Thanks for the call, Kyle."

I could picture out his sheepish expression at the other end of the conversation. He and I stayed good friends after we broke up but he'd always been still very affectionate towards me. I wasn't sure what that meant but I had a few friends in life and I wanted to keep him as one.

"No problem, Cass. Hope you have a good birthday. I miss you."

I wasn't sure I wanted to say I miss you too but he didn't give me a chance to decide as he'd already hung up.

"Maybe I should be answering your phone—might keep the boys away."

I looked up and saw Sebastian leaning against the door jamb of the kitchen entrance. 

One of his brows was arched and his lips were pursed in strained patience.

I grinned. "Maybe. Sadly, there aren't too many boys calling."

He rolled his eyes and walked towards me, kissing my forehead. "Was that your ex?"

"Yes but he's now just a good friend," I told him, rising and slipping my arms around his waist. "He just wanted to say happy birthday."

He glanced at my phone on the table and narrowed his eyes. "You're still using your Frankenstein phone. What happened to the other one I gave you?"

I shrugged. "It's in my room. I only use it for you. It's still technically yours. I'm only thinking of it as a loan."

He sighed. "I wish someday you'd stop feeling bad about receiving my gifts. They're not what you think they are."

I bit my lip and pressed my cheek against his chest. "I know. I'm just not comfortable with it."

He ran his fingers through my hair and held me for a long, quiet moment.

"Kyle told me that Timothy sold the pawnshop," I blurted out. "It makes me sad to let go of the small business my aunt and uncle built but on the other hand I'm also relieved that it wasn't just going to be run to the ground. He told me the new management was fixing it up and seems to be taking good care of it."

"That's good to know," he said softly against my hair. "It's probably for the best."

"Timothy's just gone," I said, looking up to him. "He hasn't been reachable and no one knows where he disappeared to. Is he running away from you? Are you still very mad at him?"

Sebastian sighed. "I'm the least of his problems, Cassandra. He's got other creditors after him. It's a miracle that the pawnshop and your house had been salvaged from the assets he liquidated."

My eyes narrowed suddenly. "How do you know the house had been salvaged? I haven't mentioned anything to you about it."

He stared at me with an inscrutable expression for a moment before reaching up to touch my cheek with the back of his hand. "Because I salvaged it, Cassandra. I offered more money for the house and the pawnshop than what they're worth to convince the bank to hand them over to me with no fuss and use the cash to pay off some of the creditors."

I stepped back involuntarily, staring at Sebastian in shock. "You bought the house and the pawnshop?"

"To protect you," he answered almost stubbornly. "I know how much they meant to you. I didn't want you to lose your home or your aunt and uncle's legacy. I've put them both under your name."

My eyes squeezed shut as I swore under my breath. "This is so much worse than you buying me a cellphone. I don't believe this, Sebastian."

"Believe it," he said firmly, pulling me close. "You should know by now that I will do anything to ensure your happiness. You don't have to worry about either of them while you're off in college. The pawnshop is being run by a competent management team and I've also hired staff to maintain the house."

"You can't! This is too much. I can't possibly accept this," I protested, backing away from him. I picked up my cell and tapped it against my chin as I started pacing in the kitchen. "Give me the number of your lawyer. I want to arrange for a meeting where I can sign the pawnshop and house back to you."

"No! You'll do no such thing!" he barked, his expression thunderous now. "I don't need a pawnshop or another house."

I glared at him. "Then you shouldn't have spent money buying them! Were you even going to tell me?"

"Of course!" he answered instantly before exhaling sharply and stepping back. "When the time was right, when you weren't going to react like you are reacting now, I would've told you."

He ran an agitated hand through his hair, breathing deeply for a few minutes as if he were trying to calm himself down.

"Look, Cassandra. Consider them my birthday present. Please, just accept them."

I shook my head. "You buy someone a card or a cake for their birthday. Not a freaking pawnshop and  a house."

His lips twitched and for the life of me, I was having a difficult time staying angry.

He smiled and picked me up and held me in his arms, his mouth coming down on me like a force of nature.

He kissed me hard and I kissed him back with the same intense ferocity until we were out of breath and completely mentally befuddled.

Trust Sebastian Vice to play dirty and seduce his way out of an argument.

"I want you to have them," he murmured, kissing the tip of my nose sweetly. "It will make me very happy if you'll accept them with no further protest. Please, my love."

I sighed and pressed my forehead against his. "You know, I'll never be able to outdo you when it comes to birthday presents."

He grinned boyishly. "No, it's me who will never be able to outdo you. I'll never be able to give you something as precious as yourself, Cassandra. The fact that you love me will see me through all my birthdays to come."

I giggled. "You know, you're terribly romantic for someone who's supposed to be a ruthless and crude-hearted man like you claim to be."

He pressed a kiss on my lips and tightened his arms around me. "Only with you, sweet. Only with you."

The argument forgotten and left for another time, he lowered me back on my feet and helped me make dinner. 

The rush of love I felt whenever Sebastian was around was intoxicating enough that it was easy for me to forgive and forget. I didn't want to ruin this bubble of happiness by analyzing every change we were both going through.

After dinner, he disappeared into his office again.

Something must be going on at work for him to be on the phone practically the whole day.

I ran a bath and soaked in it until the water started to cool.

I changed into into a plain white cotton nightgown and sat by the vanity table in the massive en suite bathroom for the studio which had served as our bedroom for the last few days.

I was brushing my drying hair when Sebastian came in, resting his hands on my shoulders, watching me from the mirror.

"Let me," he said softly, taking the brush from me and slowly running it through my hair.

"Work all done?" I asked with a smile. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Everything's great," he answered distractedly, his free hand gently kneading my neck in a slow, relaxing rhythm. 

He looked up at me and smiled back. "Are you ready to be eighteen? It's only half an hour away."

"Technically, I was born at twelve-o-eight in Cobalt Bay Medical." My smiled deepened, my dimples showing. "I'm sure I won't feel any different than I do now. Unless I take that next step in becoming a true woman."

I watched his breath catch, his green eyes darkening at the suggestion. 

He put the brush down on the counter and slipped his fingers through my hair, tugging gently. 

I could feel his hunger reverberating through him, his movements careful and deliberate.

"Is this what you really want?" he asked huskily, his hands drifting back to my shoulders, his fingers tracing my collar bone. "I want you to be very sure, Cassandra. You don't have to prove anything to me."

I stood up and turned in his arms, reaching up to kiss his chin. 

"I'm not proving anything to anyone," I told him. "I'm doing this because it feels right to me."

I lightly kissed his cheek.

"I'm doing this because I want you."

I pressed another kiss on the corner of his mouth.

"I'm doing this because I want you to be my first."

I moved slightly and feathered another kiss against his lips.

"I'm doing this because I love you."

His eyes fluttered close, his chest rising and falling with each heavy breath.

His hands gripped my waist, pulling me flush against him I couldn't avoid his hot and hard erection behind his jeans. 

"I'd be honored, Cassandra," he whispered, opening his eyes and gazing deep into mine. 

My face broke into a grin just before he lowered his head and caught my lips in a slow, searing kiss.

I left him so he could take a quick shower and I climbed into bed, watching the digital display on the alarm clock sitting on the night stand.

Eleven-fifty.

Eighteen minutes to freedom from the rules. 

Eighteen minutes to a birthday I will never forget.

I had just drifted off when I felt feather-light kisses on my nose and cheek.

I opened my eyes and saw Sebastian squatting next to the bed, smiling and holding a small tray with a cute, square cake covered in red and white icing, the top surface crammed with what I suspected were eighteen slim white candles that were all ablaze.

"Happy Birthday, love," he murmured, his eyes glinting from the flickering light of the candles."Make a wish so you can blow your candles."

I wish for a long, happy life with the man I love.

Smiling, I sat up and pushed my hair away from my face before leaning forward to blow on the tiny, dancing flames until they were all out.

"Thank you," I said shyly, flicking a finger at the icing and sucking it into my mouth. 

It tasted of strawberries and white chocolate.

He dragged in shaky breath and set aside the cake on the nightstand. 

"Don't do that, Cassandra," he warned in a low, husky voice as he sat on the bed. "Not if you don't want me to just dump all of this little presentation for you and climb into bed."

I giggled nervously and took my finger out of my mouth.

I watched as he picked up two flute glasses from the nightstand. He handed me one and I sniffed it. It was sparkling like champagne but it smelled like apple juice.

"You're not twenty-one yet so no alcohol for you," he said with a smile, holding his glass up in an invitation for a toast.

"To the most beautiful and fascinating woman I've had the privilege to find in this lifetime," he said solemnly, the emotions in his eyes in full display. "May this birthday be the first of many that you'll spend with me."

Tears pricked my eyes and I blinked them back quickly.

I gave Sebastian a watery smile and clinked my glass against his before downing the juice.

"Dinner's tomorrow night along with your other presents," he said as he set aside our glasses. "Or technically tonight. I had plans after midnight but decided I shouldn't cheat you of your sleep."

"Sleep is the last thing on my mind right now," I blurted out, looking at him from beneath my lashes. "And I want a certain birthday present now too, please."

He stared at me for a moment before taking a long, deep breath.

"Cassandra, we don't have to rush this."

I smiled coyly, rising on my knees and slipping my arms around his neck. "Who's rushing? We've got all night."

In a heartbeat, a low growl escaped Sebastian and I found myself pressed against the bed on my back, his large, muscular frame hovering above me, his face inches away, baring a deep, dark desire through his burning green gaze.

My heart hammered madly against my chest.

Looks like I was about to be unwrapped like a present.

***

Sebastian's fingertips singed my skin as they dragged along my arms, following the straps of my nightgown as he pushed them down all the way to my wrists, leaving me bare and exposed to his heated gaze.

He gently slipped my hands through the straps and rolled the gown down my thighs and legs until it brushed past my toes on its way to the floor.

I was wearing a plain, bright red cotton bikini with a thin lace edging—the sexiest underwear I could find in my suitcase—and as Sebastian eyed it and traced the outline with his fingers, I was certain I was blushing deep enough to match its color.

He hooked his thumbs on each side and pulled them off of me in a slow, torturous motion.

"My lovely Cassandra," he murmured softly, leaning forward to cup my breasts, his fingers catching my nipples between them. He bent down and slowly lapped and nipped at the swell of them, his thumbs now circling around the puckered tips. "You have no idea what you do to me."

He darted his tongue out and tortured my nipple, his fingers kneading the heavy, rounded flesh. 

I moaned and twisted from under him which only drew his attention to my lower body.

His mouth moved to the other breast, his teeth now lightly scraping the wet, aching tip as his hands coasted down my waist before settling at my hips.

His thumbs slowly rubbed along my pelvis line, the proximity of it torturing further that empty, heated ache between my legs.

"Sebastian, don't be coy now, for God's sake," I grumbled in a choked voice as he lifted his head to look at me, his hands still on my hips. 

He laughed and pressed a line of warm, wet kisses between my breasts all the way to my navel, his hands sliding down under me and cupping my buttocks.

His warm breath hovered above the small, triangle of hair between my legs and I squeezed my eyes closed in preparation for the ambush of sensations to come.

But my eyes flew open when the warmth suddenly vanished and I groaned in protest when I saw him pulling back.

"I'm just getting out of my clothes," he said with a crooked grin as he pulled his shirt over his head and pushed down his linen pants and black boxer briefs, treating me to the scandalous sight of his huge, rock-hard erection that stood proudly from the nest of dark, curly hair between his thighs.

I flushed at the sight and felt moisture pool between my legs.

I wasn't sure if it would fit. 

He bent forward and gripped each side of my pelvis, his lips grazing along my inner thigh.

Muscles quivering, I instinctively clasped my knees together.

"Relax, darling," he said huskily, kissing my knees and cupping my calves to slowly pry my legs apart. "We'll do this slowly. Don't be afraid."

I opened my eyes and caught sight of Sebastian's dark head lowering between my raised knees and I gasped at the first contact of his tongue.

"Sebastian, no," I mumbled incoherently, grabbing a fistful of his hair and tugging at it. 

I was mortified to have his mouth at my most secret place and of the fact that I didn't want him to stop.

His hands slipped into the valley between my legs, his palms pushing my thighs wider as his warm, wet mouth anchored at the entrance, his tongue tracing slow, sensual patterns between the folds of flesh. 

I thought I was ready for this but the dizzying sensations were nothing like I expected.

I cried out as his tongue darted inside, circling against the outer walls before thrusting in and out in a quickening cadence.

Holy fuck.

Then his fingers were brushing against the swollen lips, his mouth closing around the hooded flesh there, his tongue teasing the over-sensitized flesh.

"You're perfect, darling. Just perfect," he murmured against my skin just before he slid a finger inside me.

"Oh, God!"

I practically levitated off the bed but he pinned me down with a hand on my hip as he continued his feast, his tongue and finger moving in matching rhythm. 

I gripped the sheets and writhed desperately under his mouth as he added a second finger inside me, the scissoring movement causing a slight burning sensation. It was quickly dulled by the wave of pleasure at being penetrated, of that aching emptiness being filled and stretched.

A sob escaped my mouth and I slapped the back of my wrist against it, biting into the skin to keep myself from screaming.

"Take it easy, love," he whispered after a wet kiss on my inner thigh. "I'm trying to prepare you. You're very small and tight. I don't want to hurt you with my size."

I nodded, incapable of speech as his thrusting fingers continued their assault.

I shivered at the rush of pleasure that surged from my toes to my scalp, arching my hips upward to meet his relentless thrusting.

Then all of a sudden, my body jerked, my muscles involuntarily contracting and rippling under my skin as a heart-stopping orgasm rocked through me, tearing a lustful shriek out of my lungs.

Heart pounding against my chest and ears, I took several gulps of air until my senses settled back in.

I opened my eyes and saw Sebastian hovering above me, his smiling expression tender.

"That was beautiful to watch," he said thickly, his head lowering to capture my mouth in a deep, soulful kiss. 

"I want to see you," I whispered to him, my voice raw and weak, as my hands ran down the length of his torso, reaching in vain for his firm, muscular buttocks.

He straightened and moved up further on the bed until his cock, much thicker and harder than it had been when he took off his pants, was thrust an inch away from my face.

The swollen purple head was gleaming with moisture and I tentatively lifted my head to lick it, taking in the briny taste of him, before pulling the whole head into my mouth. 

"Sweet Jesus," he rasped hoarsely, his hips slowly moving forward to push more of him into my mouth. "Your mouth is a piece of work, Cassandra. Christ, that feels good."

I twirled my tongue around the engorged head as I slid my mouth over his hard length again, one hand cupping him at the base, twisting gently in a direction opposite that of my circling tongue.

Another string of blasphemous swearing ripped through him as his hips picked up pace and were now slowly thrusting the head of his cock close to the back of my throat.

I gagged a little and pulled off of him to catch my breath but just as I reached for him again, he grabbed both my wrists and pinned them over my head as he slid down to cover the length of my body. 

He let go of my wrists and slid his hands under me, lifting my buttocks up to rest against his thighs. He took each of my ankle and slung my legs over his shoulders, his cock brushing against my opening.

"Shit, I have no condoms here," he suddenly said, looking around, his expression desperate.

I blinked and shook my head as his words sank in. "Oh. Um, are you safe?"

He nodded. "I've never slept with a woman without protection. I'm worried about getting you pregnant. I didn't think we were doing this tonight."

I swallowed hard. "Could you just pull out? I don't think I can bear it if you leave me like this to run off to the other side of the house for condoms."

His own despair showed plainly on his face. "Are you sure, Cassandra? I don't trust myself one hundred percent but I'll do my best."

"I trust you," I whispered and with that, he swooped down to kiss me hard on the mouth, his teeth briefly biting into my lower lip.

"I don't want to hurt you but this has to happen, love," he said hoarsely, the head of his cock nudging at the wet, swollen folds of my flesh. "Just yield to it. Relax your muscles and hang on to me."

I nodded and wrapped my arms around his neck, my eyes squeezing shut as I fought the instinctive tightening of my muscles.

"Sebastian!" I cried out with jolt of pain as he thrust hard and deep, ripping through my virginity.

I arched up and gripped his shoulders, my fingernails digging into his skin as tears burned behind my eyes.

"I'm so sorry, love," he whispered against my neck, his lips scattering soothing kisses as he held still, buried deep and tight inside me. "Just give it a few seconds. Relax. Let yourself adjust to it. I promise it'll be better."

I nodded and dragged in a few, deep, calming breaths, loosening my grip and letting my muscles drain of the tension.

Sebastian still didn't move, his arms still wrapped tight around me, his lips brushing against my ear.

"Better?" he asked gently.

I closed my eyes and tried to listen to my body, willing myself to open up.

He made an infinitesimal movement and I moaned, not really from the pain that was now quickly receding but from the sense of fullness inside me.

This man—this beautiful, brilliant and broken man—was inside me, filling me, possessing me.

"Better," I answered faintly, experimentally thrusting my hips upward to pull him in deeper.

The friction caused a mix of pain and pleasure and my body was quickly getting addicted.

"More," I murmured, gripping his shoulders to prompt him to move.

Slowly, he pulled most of his length out of me and I choked in protest but before I could speak, he slid right in again, pushing deeper inside me.

As his thrusts gained momentum, my pleasure built, the pain a distant memory.

Soon, I was matching him thrust for thrust, his attempt at caution crumbling as I demanded more, reaching for the peak that I knew was within reach.

His hand dipped between us, his thumb padding my clit, pressing and circling relentlessly until I cried out, shuddering and clenching as my orgasm swept through me.

"Ah, God! You're squeezing me," he hissed under his breath, his hands now gripping my knees, his hips slamming forward, hard and fast.

Suddenly, all his finesse was gone and in his face was sheer concentration, his brows furrowing, his skin glistening with sweat and his eyes squeezing shut as he pounded away, his muscles flexing and bunching up as he wrestled with his own release.

With a hoarse shout, he buckled above me, his body trembling as he pulled out and plopped wetly against my belly, his fluids spilling on my sweat-slick skin.

There was no distant music playing to fill the room.

The only sounds were our ragged breaths, the rustling of the sheets as I wrapped my arms and legs around Sebastian and the heavy pounding of our hearts.

"I love you," I whispered in his ear, my fingers running through his thick, damp hair.

He lifted his face to look at me, his emerald green eyes shining with emotion.

He'd never said the words but right now, I felt like our hearts were one and the same, beating in unison, feeling the same burst of love that sweetened the explosive passion of our lovemaking.

He kissed me slowly and gently, his hand brushing my own damp hair away from my face.

"It's never been like that for me," he whispered, his voice betraying a slight tremor. "Thank you, love. I don't think I'll ever be the same man again after tonight."

I smiled and cupped his cheek. "I'd be disappointed if you aren't. I happen to love this version of Sebastian Vice."

He laughed and kissed my forehead before propping up on his elbows to look down at me.

"Stay put," he said before lunging off the bed and disappearing into the bathroom. 

I heard the water running.

When he came back a minute later, he was carrying a warm, damp towel and wads of tissue. He wiped his come off my belly, tossing the soiled tissue into the trash under my nightstand. Then he gently spread my legs a bit, wiping slowly along my inner thighs before cupping the warm towel against my sore, throbbing mound. 

I sighed in pleasure at the relief, closing my eyes as he continued to dab the towel against my skin.

"I have a nice, warm bath waiting for you," he said, dropping the towel on the floor and scooping me up into his arms. "It'll help with the soreness."

The tub was nearly full when he carried me into the bathroom.

He lowered me into the water and turned off the faucet. 

"No soap because it might sting," he said, lightly sweeping a hand against the surface to send a small wave lapping at my shoulders. "It only hurts the first time, sweet. It gets better."

I smiled and touched a wet hand to his arm. "I know. Come join me, Sebastian. It feels very nice but it will be nicer if you'd hold me."

He grinned and carefully stepped into the tub, pulling the drain a little bit to lessen the water so it wouldn't overflow.

"Come here, my brave girl," he said tenderly, pulling me towards him until I was sitting between his legs, my back pressed against his chest, my head resting against his shoulder.

"It was beautiful," I murmured, enjoying the way his hands absently rubbed lazy circles on my belly. "I'm the one who will never be the same after this."

He kissed my temple. "There's so much more you can learn, Cassandra. I'll be happy to show you how great it can be."

I laughed. "I'll be a good student, master. I'm putty in your hands."

He laughed and nipped my ear. "Happy Birthday, love. I hope you liked that present."

I grinned and agreed that no birthday had ever been better than this.

***

Well, there you go. It finally happened. What do you think so far?

Please vote and comment if you liked it. I'd love to hear from you.

If you've got time and curiosity, you can also check out the other book I'm working on called The Mischievous Mrs. Maxfield.

Thank you!