Reckless In Love (The Maverick Billionaires #2)(43)

She had done this before, but it had never been so right. Because the truth was that being with Sebastian was unlike any other relationship she’d ever had. So good that she wanted to drink in every ripple of power coursing through his body, every harsh intake of breath, every rumble and groan. She loved tasting him on her tongue, loved grasping his hard flesh in her palm, loved knowing that she was giving him so much pleasure with her intimate kisses—just as much as he’d given her. She was utterly lost to the joy of loving Sebastian when his body arched and his hips moved in rhythm with her as he shouted out her name to the night sky above him.

Moments later, he was sliding back into the water and reeling her in with his arm around her shoulders, pulling her face into his deliciously salty skin. She licked him, adding the new taste to the heady ambrosia.

“You’re incredible.”

She smiled at him from within the circle of his arms, her body sated from his touch, the hot water turning her languid, his arm around her both comforting and sensual. “So are you.”

Tonight had been perfect. Yes, she’d had a gut-twisting moment when she’d read through the contract, and another even bigger one when she’d signed it. And perhaps she was still more than a little worried about having to transform herself for the party at the hotel where they’d unveil her rams. But she wouldn’t think about any of that now, would just keep telling herself it was completely natural to feel twinges of terror here and there as her art began to find its home outside of her yard.

Right now, all she wanted was to focus on the incredible pleasure that she and Sebastian had just found in each other’s arms. Pleasure so sweet that her insides were still spinning from it. And there was so much more waiting for them the moment they were both ready to take the next step. They wanted the same thing—that when they finally made love, it would be exactly that.

Love.

She was so close to that already. Almost to the point of fully trusting Sebastian with her entire heart...just as she hoped he’d trust her with his.

When he tightened his arms around her in the hot tub and they said the word at the same time—“Soon”—she knew it wouldn’t be long before she trusted Sebastian with so much more than just her art and her career.

With absolutely everything.





CHAPTER FIFTEEN


The following morning, Charlie bypassed her workshop and headed straight for Sebastian’s waiting car. Though they were going to Shady Lane to see her mom, she couldn’t help the delighted, slightly wicked smile at the memory of last night—his touch, his taste, his splendor, and everything that was growing between them moment by moment.

“I’m happy to see you too, Charlie.” He followed up his sweet words with a kiss that left her as breathless as if she’d just gone for a morning run.

A large box sat on the seat beside him. “Another gift for my mother?”

He grinned. “I enjoy giving her gifts. I hope she likes it.”

“I can’t imagine you doing or giving her anything she wouldn’t love.” Like mother, like daughter. It was enough that he gave her mother his time, but of course Sebastian always wanted to do more. “You’re going to spoil her at this rate.”

“Good. She deserves it.”

She tried not to take his words as a condemnation of the little she’d been able to do for her mother, especially when he tucked her hand into his in the front seat of the car. Guilt, however, immediately reared its ugly little head, adding to her tension over today’s meeting with the doctor Sebastian had brought in. She didn’t want to make the mistake of getting her hopes up, but it was hard not to. Especially when she knew just how badly Sebastian wanted to make a difference in her mother’s life. She hoped he would soon realize he already had, simply by offering his time so willingly.

She was actually quite nervous by the time they entered the nursing home. A tall, white-haired gentleman she knew didn’t belong at Shady Lane strode toward them with a confident gait.

“Dr. Hillman.” Sebastian shook the other man’s hand. “I’m Sebastian Montgomery, and this is Charlie Ballard, Francine’s daughter.”

The doctor turned, then held her hand in both of his. “It’s so good to meet you. I’ve just left your mother in the lounge. She’s an absolute delight.”

“She certainly is,” Charlie agreed.

The white hair made the doctor appear older, though his features were unlined and his strong hands lacked even a hint of age spots. Rather than speaking to Sebastian, who’d called him, Dr. Hillman focused on Charlie. He cleared his throat, as though switching to professional mode. “I arrived early, so we’ve been getting acquainted. I did a cursory examination and I’m pleased to be able to tell you that her original surgeon was quite competent.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” More than glad, actually, both for her mother’s sake...and because it was one less thing Charlie had to feel guilty about.

“Her pinkies are very elastic, but I wouldn’t recommend putting in a new joint. She wouldn’t see a quantifiable increase in usage. I’m afraid there’s not much to be done with her other fingers, either. Even with another operation, she wouldn’t gain any strength in her hands. I’m sorry, Ms. Ballard, but everything’s been done for your mother that can be done.”