Sebastian’s sage eyes sparkled with desire and good humor. “God, I hope so.” He reached out, covering her hands as she started to open the cappuccino maker. “Not now, sweetheart. We’ll open it up and figure out how to use it together after Josh and Monique leave.”
“But wouldn’t espresso make a good nightcap after dinner? Coffee is supposed to help digest your food, you know.”
“So does wine, darling, and I wasn’t planning on anyone staying long enough for nightcaps. I want some time alone tonight, just me and you.”
“You get that every night,” she countered with a saucy grin.
“Mm. I know. I need more.”
Taylor blushed as he pulled her close and lifted her with ease. She wrapped her legs around his waist in invitation as he covered her mouth with his. Brushing the box aside, he made room for her on the counter and set her on the ledge. He surged against her, kneading her breasts as he kissed her. The warm sweep of his tongue dueled with hers until the rest of the world spun and faded away. Sinking her fingers into his shoulders, she marveled at the rush of desire, how easily her body played into his touch. A low groan rumbled through his throat as she rocked against the forceful drive of his hips, and the cold press of granite grew hot beneath her.
They both froze at the sound of the front doors swinging open. Sebastian tore away with a tortured moan and hurried to ease her to her feet. Apologizing, he adjusted himself with a sheepish grin. Rapid footsteps thundered through the foyer, pounding against the hardwood floors. She waited, watching as Aiden burst into the room, his bright blue eyes round and shimmering with excitement. He crashed into Sebastian, the force enough to bowl the grown man backwards as he enveloped him in a tight hug.
“Hey ya, Uncle Seb!”
“Hey, buddy! Long time no see. How are you doing?”
Her heart ached with the memories of Christian and the past, but there was no denying the happiness on Sebastian’s face as he gave the boy’s hair an affectionate ruffle. Still, watching them together reminded her of old times. Better times when the two kids had played and swarmed around him for attention together.
“I’m great! I got an A on my science test today. Oh hey, Taylor!” he said, waving.
She smiled and waved back, not wanting to interrupt their exchange.
“Way to go, little man. I’m so proud of you,” Sebastian praised, offering up his knuckles for a light fist bump.
“My dad says he’s gonna give me twenty bucks.”
“Did he now? I’ll tell you what,” Sebastian said, leaning down until their faces were on the same level. “Bring those grades through to your next report card, and I’ll double your money. Forty bucks an A.”
“Really?”
Sebastian nodded. “Really.”
“Awesome!”
“Way to motivate my kid, Baas,” Josh said, laughing as he rounded into the kitchen with Monique at his side. “I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. That boy’s gifted. He’ll suck your wallet clean.”
Sebastian shrugged. “It’s well worth it to ensure he has a good future.”
Empathy and understanding flickered across Josh’s face, easing the hard planes and sharp angles of his features. “You don’t have to do that, you know. You don’t have anything to make up for, Baas. Not to him. Not to anyone. Aiden’s fine. Kids are resilient.”
“I’m aware of that,” Sebastian stated quietly. “I’m doing it because I want to.”
Taylor watched him track the little boy’s movements as Aiden wandered into the recessed morning room. He clambered up on the barista chair and emptied his book bag on the table to start his homework. A quiet sigh emanated from Sebastian and he swung his focus to his sister. Deep lines crept across his forehead as he clamped his eyes shut. A gambit of emotions played across his handsome face, the changes so rapid they were dizzying. Pain flickered to doubt and anger before determination took over, and he set his shoulders. Her brow furrowed with confusion.
He rested a hip against the island. His jaw jutted with the harsh purse of his lips as he trailed a finger over the granite countertop. “Monique, I need a moment alone with you in my study.”
His sister paled, her wide green eyes darting to Josh. He wrapped his arm around the blonde and murmured something into her ear before pressing a kiss against her temple. Whatever he said eased some of her worry and she nodded. Taylor frowned. The weight of the world seemed to fall over Sebastian as he turned to lead the way. Swallowing, she looked to his partner, hoping for reassurance or answers.
Josh shrugged. “Family stuff,” he muttered. “You might want to do everyone a favor though and pour a round of drinks, kid.”
Sebastian shut the door behind him and plowed his hands through his hair. His sister lingered hesitantly in the corner. Her slender hands twisted nervously in front of her in a gesture that reminded him of Taylor whenever she was scared. Blowing out a deep breath, he hung his head and rubbed at the tension creeping into the back of his neck. There was no easy way to do this. Despite doing everything he could, in some small way, he still felt like he was letting his sister down. It was a bitter pill to swallow after he’d spent his entire life trying to protect her from everything from their ill-tempered father to the perils of his job. One of those he’d succeeded quite well at, the other not so much.
He sat, draping a thigh over the corner of his mahogany desk. With a sweep of his arm, he gestured to the leather office chair. “Please,” he said, “have a seat.”
Her teeth sank into the swell of her lower lip. Monique’s eyes flew up to his, pleading, as she eased into the chair. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask Josh about coming over first. It won’t happen again.”
“Shh, Monique. No. This has nothing to do with that. I told you I forgive you.” Letting his head fall back, he studied the rich crown molding spanning the ceiling and sighed. “Dane’s parents aren’t letting this go. If you fight them, they will take the issue to court and use whatever ammunition they have to win custody of Mia. If they talk about us, about Josh, about Dane and what he used to do—about SKALS, the outcome will be very bad for a lot of people. Very bad. You know this.”
She clamped her eyes shut and covered her mouth, her head shaking in a slow entreaty. Tears rolled over the high slopes of her cheeks. “Please don’t…Sebastian. Oh, God, please don’t say it.”
“You know this is for the best. If this goes any further and Marx catches wind of a custody battle, we are all in for a world of hurt. Protecting our division comes first. You know that. You knew it before you got involved with Dane. I didn’t want this life for you, Monique. I tried to keep you out of it as best as I could, but you made your decisions, and here we are.”
“But that’s my baby,
” she cried. “I can’t just let her go. Please. I can’t. Do something, Sebastian, please.”
Her head thrashed faster, and when she buried her face in her hands, his heart shattered. Reaching out, he stroked his sister’s hair. “I have, and I promise I did everything I could. You will still see her.”
Her head snapped up and her eyes locked with his. “When?”
“The Duprees have graciously agreed to allow visitation on holidays and every other weekend. However, you and Josh will have to spend the holidays somewhere else together, not here.”
Monique reached for him. Tears slid down her cheeks as she curled her fingers around his. “What? Why?”
He shrugged and stood, pulling away. Clasping his hands behind his back, he prowled the length of his study. “That was the agreement we came to. They would let you have your daughter, and I would stay away from her.”
“Why would you do that? That’s not gracious, Sebastian. It’s cruel. We’re a family. We always spend holidays together. Always, and you’re all I have left.” Her chin trembled, and her face fell beneath a wave of pain.
“No, Monique. You have Josh and Aiden now, too. This is what is best—safest for you and your daughter.”
Her shoulders jerked with a sorrowful sob. “What about you?”
He shook his head. “This isn’t about me. You and I will still see each other. Do what’s right for your little girl.” Raking a hand through his hair, he cast a sidelong glance, hating the defeated slump of her body. “I’m sorry it’s not more. Given the situation, this was the best I could do.”
“Marx doesn’t know you talked to them.” Her whisper was a statement, not a question.
Sebastian pinned her with a look of soft reproach. “Let’s be realistic, Monique. He knows. It just wasn’t done with his approval.”