CHAPTER THREE

“I won’t be mad if you want to back out, Em,” he said quietly, taking a seat on her sofa. She shook her head, smiling at him.

“I am nervous, but not because of what you probably think. Sebastian? How many women have you been with?”

Sebastian stared at her, bells and whistles going off in his brain. His conscience was screaming conflicting thoughts at him. Don’t tell her the truth. Tell the truth. Don’t tell her the truth.

In the end, he did what he needed to do.

“Probably thirteen. Maybe fourteen. I only saw one woman more than once. We never really dated. We just liked one another’s company. I’m ashamed to say it, Em, but most were one-time only. I always used protection, and I was honest with them.”

“You don’t have to explain,” she blushed. “That wasn’t why I was asking.”

“Then why?” he asked, scooting closer to her.

“I’ve never been with anyone, Sebastian.” He stared at her, blinking several times and swallowing. “If that matters to you, I don’t know what to say. I can’t change it. I just couldn’t give myself to someone knowing that you were the man I was meant to be with.”

“Em,” he choked out. “You’re fucking beautiful, baby. Are you telling me the men in D.C. didn’t approach you?”

“Oh, they approached me,” she laughed. “Usually when I was with my sisters. I think they thought we were a novelty and might be able to get all four of us together. Sometimes, Maddie, Mags, and Ellie would try to fix me up with someone, but I just couldn’t do it. I started lying to them about seeing someone.”

“Em, baby, why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you come and see me so we could make this official?”

“I didn’t want to pressure you, Sebastian. I know that men need more time than women, and I wanted you to be sure of this. Of us.”

Sebastian stood, shoving his hands through his hair. He turned back, staring at the woman he knew would be his wife. Never touched. Never made love to. She waited for him. Him.

“I’m going to make love to you, Emelia Stanton. When we’re done, we’ll go to dinner with the family and let them all know that when you finish this last case, we’re going to be married. You and me. There will never be another man that touches you. Never.”

She smiled up at him, nodding.

“I know what to do,” she said shyly. “I’m a grown woman. I know what’s supposed to happen, what I need to do. I just don’t have any practice with it.”

“Well, you’re going to get all the practice you want and need with me. Only me, Em. Hear me?”

“I hear you,” she said, standing to take his hand. “Now, show me what you want.”

Sebastian pulled her into the bedroom and then stripped off his own clothing. Turning, he allowed her to see his entire body, touching him, feeling his skin as he struggled to remain in control.

“Now you, Em. All of it. Take it all off.” She laughed at him, shaking her head.

“You do it. Rip it off of me, Sebastian. Hurry.” She was getting very hot, and Sebastian could smell her sex from where he was standing. He took her at her word, ripping the soft cotton dress from her body. Beneath it, she wore a pure white lace bra and panty set. The soft mound of curls was glistening with her desire.

“Fuck, baby. I hope I can slow down for you,” he growled.

“Sebastian, I’ve been waiting fifteen years for this. Don’t take your time.”

He swiftly lifted her and settled her on the plush covers of her bed. He grabbed a condom and wrapped it over his painful cock. The rich purple head intrigued Emelia as she reached out, stroking it with her soft fingers.

“Babe,” he moaned.

“Feel good?” she smirked.

“You little vixen, you know it fucking feels good. Damn, Em. You’re so fucking beautiful,” he moaned, leaning over her and devouring her mouth.

“So are you,” she said breathlessly. Unwilling to wait, she gripped his cock and guided him to her opening. Wet and begging for his body, he gradually inched his way inside her.

“Mmm,” she moaned.

“I’m sorry, babe. It’s going to sting like a bitch, but then it will be over.” She nodded, gripping his buttocks. Sebastian powered through, burying himself inside her. The salty tears streamed down her cheeks, and he kissed and licked them away. When she started to move her own body, he knew he was going to control this one.

“Legs wider, Em,” he said, staring down at her. “Wider, babe.” His own body was almost too wide and thick for her body to accommodate comfortably. She had to really spread her legs. Instead, she lifted them, wrapping one around his shoulders, the other around his waist.

“Fuck yeah, baby girl,” he moaned.

“Sebastian,” she moaned. “Sebastian, I’m cumming!”

“Fuck yes!”

Both exhausted and breathless, Sebastian slowly pulled out, tying off the bloodied condom and disposing of it. He brought a warm cloth, wiping away the blood on Em’s body.

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

“You know that it hurt, but it was a beautiful hurt,” she smiled, kissing him and pulling him close to her naked, sweaty body. “It was everything I hoped it would be, Sebastian. I love you.”

Sebastian smiled down at her sweet, innocent face, kissing her again.

“I’ve loved you almost my whole life, Em. Marry me. When you’re done with these damn bank robbers. Marry me, and let’s start popping out the next generation of Vernons.”

Emelia laughed, nodding her head at him.

“For now, we should get dressed and back out there before someone knocks on the door,” said Sebastian.

“They’ll all know,” smirked Emelia.

“That’s the point, honey. I want every last one of them to know.”