Seb Read online

  He whispered, “I love you, Skylar.”

  I felt as though I’d been waiting all my life to hear those words from a man like Seb, someone who would be there to pick me up when I stumbled, hold me while I cried, and cheer me on when I doubted myself. “I love you too.”

  He released a body-racking breath as though he’d questioned whether I could or would return the sentiment.

  Words were no longer necessary as we let our bodies do the talking. We moved in unison, an erotic dance that felt as if we’d already been partners for life. His kisses were more sensual than they’d been before, as though that last piece of his heart he’d been guarding was now free to love me completely.

  Completion was swift and intense for both of us, and it came with an unspoken promise of so much more. It felt like a new beginning for us.

  He rolled over and pulled me close, cradling my head against his chest. The only sound in the room was our labored breathing as our heartbeats returned to normal, but I didn’t need him to tell me how he felt or what he was thinking. I knew there was nowhere else on earth he would rather be and no one else he would rather be with.

  “It’s gonna be hard for me to let you go home,” he said.

  “I had a little talk with Mrs. Ryan earlier.” I felt as if I was already home, in this bed, with this man, feeling more satisfied and fulfilled than I ever had in my life, and I wanted him to know the day would come when I could move on to the next phase of my life with him. If not today or tomorrow, hopefully soon.

  “Oh yeah?” His index finger glided up and down my arm, making thrill bumps rise. “What did she have to say?”

  “She feels like she’s making progress with Uncle Charlie. Who knows—if his condition continues to improve, we may be hearing wedding bells in the not-too-distant future.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  I looked at him. “Did my uncle say something to you about Mrs. Ryan?”

  “Anyone can see he’s crazy about her. He just confirmed that.”

  I sighed, thinking of how wonderful it would be for two of the people I loved most to get their happy ending. “None of this would be possible without you, you know.” I kissed his chest, surprised his huge heart could be contained in there. “You really came through for us.”

  “I was just returning the favor,” he said and kissed my forehead.

  “What do you mean?”

  “I may have helped save your uncle, but you saved me.”

  I laughed, slapping his chest playfully. “Sure, I did.”

  “I’m serious.” He grabbed my wrist, holding my palm flat against his chest so I could feel the steady beat of his heart. “You have no idea how lost I was.”

  His somber tone made me look up. Getting lost in those light blue eyes was so easy I almost forgot what I was going to say. I’d tried to make the best of the hand I’d been dealt when my parents died, but meeting Seb had reminded me how important it was to belong to someone who belonged to you. “You weren’t the only one. I was lost too.”

  “Then I’m glad I found you.”

  I smiled as tears streamed down my cheeks. “I’m glad we found each other.”

  About the Author

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