Chapter 155
Cecilia’s pov
I was carrying the soup bowl from the kitchen when I saw Alpha Sebastian disappear into my bedroom.
My heart stopped dead in my chest.
“Sebastian! Get out of there!” I shouted, hastily setting the soup down on the carpet.
My hands shook so badly that I spilled hot liquid that burned my skin.
I didn’t even feel the pain as I sprinted toward the bedroom.
Too late.
By the time I reached the doorway, Alpha Sebastian was already crouched beside my bed, picking up the kitten who had accidentally stepped on the power button of my new “personal massager.” The poor creature was pressed against the wall, mewing frantically at the buzzing sound.
And there it was – my bright pink-blue vibrator, shaped like a discreet little bird, humming away on the floor beside the half-emptied shopping bag, its packaging clearly visible.
I felt my soul leave my body. My vision blurred as blood rushed to my face.
Alpha Sebastian’s brows furrowed as he stared at the vibrating device, then at the box with its very descriptive cover image, then back at the device.
“Cecilia, what is this?” His cool voice sliced through my mortification.
My mind went completely blank.
I opened my eyes, not even realizing I’d closed them.
Alpha Sebastian gestured with his chin toward the pale blue bird still buzzing on the floor.
“Um, that’s – ” I stammered, pressing my lips together before trying again, “It’s a portable muscle relaxer – for sore muscles. You know, shoulders, arms, back… calves p>
“Ah, sounds convenient,” he replied evenly.
“Yes, yes, very convenient. Because it’s small,” I babbled.
“Small but powerful, by the looks of it. Rather well-made.” He bent down to pick it up.
My eyes widened in horror.
I lunged forward, dropping to my knees to grab it first.
In my haste, I slid across the floor, managing to snatch it just as his fingertips brushed against it.
There we were – him bending down, me on my knees, with a frightened kitten and a vibrating “massage device” between us.
I looked up.
Our eyes met.
His gaze slowly darkened, taking on the intimate quality of night shadows.
After what felt like an eternity, the corner of his mouth curved into a smile, and he murmured, “Don’t panic, little mate p>
Heat swept across my face, blazing from my cheeks to my ears and down my neck.
My heart pounded more violently than the vibrator in my hand.
I quickly lowered my head, fumbling with the power button while shoving the box and instructions back into the bag.
Thank the Moon Goddess the kitten had only managed to drag out one item!
Alpha Sebastian straightened up.
His eyes remained dark and intense as he watched me. “Take your time. No need to be nervous. If you say it’s a massage device, I believe you p>
I hesitated, not having the mental bandwidth to analyze his tone.
Quickly stuffing the bag under the bed, I stood up. “I’ll take the kitten. You should go eat p>
I reached out to take the small creature from his arms.
Alpha Sebastian walked out.
He picked up the soup I’d abandoned on the carpet and sat down at the dining table, eating with infuriating composure.
I sat in the living room, staring at his back, replaying his words in my mind.
*If you say it’s a massage device, I believe you p>
Wait a minute. The implication being that he knew exactly what it was but was willing to pretend otherwise.
He knew. The Alpha knew I had a vibrator.
I covered my face with my hands, mortified.
“Cecilia, I’m finished eating,” his voice came from the dining area.
Steeling myself, I got up and approached him. “Alpha, I’ll take care of the kitten tonight. You should go home and rest. Sleep well. Goodnight p>
Alpha Sebastian raised an eyebrow. “Why not wish me good morning while you’re at it p>
I stared at him for a few seconds. “I’m tired p>
“Didn’t you agree to take care of the kitten? How can you do that if you’re tired? Besides, I didn’t bring her bed. Perhaps I should take her back and let her roam free in the garden. Liam will be back tomorrow anyway p>
“Roam free in the garden? That’s too dangerous! What if she climbs over the railing and falls p>
“So what do you suggest?” he asked, tossing the problem back to me.
I felt a surge of frustration. He was deliberately making my night difficult.
“You could go upstairs and bring down her bed,” I suggested.
“You have work tomorrow. Will you move everything back then? Seems like a lot of trouble p>
“What are you suggesting?” I asked, exasperated.
“There’s a guest room upstairs where you’ve stayed before. I apologize for the inconvenience p>
He wanted me to sleep upstairs? Tonight? When Liam wasn’t there?
My thoughts immediately spiraled into a dangerous territory called “temptation p>
A warm sensation rose from deep within me, like the heat of night whispering against my skin p>
Alpha Sebastian stood up. “Coming or not p>
I clutched the kitten tighter. “Um, I think… just the two of us, alone… that wouldn’t be appropriate p>
Alpha Sebastian leaned close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. “Isn’t it a little late to worry about propriety, sweet girl? You weren’t thinking about ’appropriate’ when you bought that earlier p>
I held the kitten even tighter, my knuckles turning white.
Well, I could always lock my door once I got upstairs p>
I don’t know what possessed me – probably the lateness of the hour affecting my judgment – but I actually followed him to the elevator.
As soon as the doors closed, regret hit me like a truck. “I forgot something downstairs, I need to – “
Alpha Sebastian pulled me back when I tried to escape.
“I asked you to take care of the kitten,” he scolded. “Why are you always trying to run away? You’ve barely spent any time with her. You should be nicer to her p>
My face burned crimson.
When we reached the penthouse, I quickly carried the kitten to find her bed.
I settled her in a safe room, fed her, and crouched beside her, my mind churning with anxiety and conflict.
I felt like that damn kitten – small, twitchy, and way too curious for my own good.
And Alpha Sebastian? He was basically a perfectly grilled filet of salmon – hot, seasoned just right, and absolutely not on my diet.
But my hesitation wasn’t about fear. Or even a lack of desire. God, no – it was more complicated than that.
This wasn’t a spontaneous hookup in the dark. I’d already thought it through. Overthought it, probably. If I slept with him and kept it strictly physical, I’d be using him. Treating him like a walking stress-relief device with abs.
And if I caught feelings? That was a whole other disaster.
I didn’t want to hand over my heart – not again. Been there, got emotionally wrecked, still cleaning up the debris.
Love, in my experience, came with fine print and hidden explosives. The second someone knew they had your heart, it stopped being yours. It became leverage.
And if things ever went south with Alpha Sebastian – if we ended up on opposite sides of something bigger – I wouldn’t just lose. I’d get annihilated.
“This is a bad idea,” I muttered under my breath. “Like, Like playing with fire bad p>
A voice behind me nearly made me jump out of my skin. “What exactly are you planning to play with p>
My spine stiffened instantly.
I tried to stand up, but my legs had gone numb from crouching too long.
A tall shadow loomed over me, carrying the fresh scent of a recent shower.
The next moment, I felt myself being lifted from the floor, cradled in strong arms.
“I – ” I tried to speak but was struck silent by the sight of his chest muscles visible beneath his black silk robe.
He’d showered? He was dressed like *that p>
All I’d done was feed a kitten! I hadn’t even finished my internal debate!
My breathing quickened.
I couldn’t control the sudden dryness in my mouth.
Alpha Sebastian carried me out, closing the door behind us.
He carried me toward the guest room.
“Wait I began, but my voice faded as my body betrayed me with anticipation.