Edge of Obsession (SKALS #3) Read online

  The uncertainty and pleading in his eyes nearly killed her. “I promise I will be as I have you. You’re all I want, Sebby. You’re all I need.”

  “You have no idea how much that means,” he said, his voice thick and strained. “How badly I needed to hear you say that.”

  “I mean it.”

  “I know. It was selfish of me to drag you in to my life, but I wanted you—this—so much. I couldn’t let you go. Not even then.” He forced a small smile and kissed her again. “I’ll never understand why, but I’m glad you still think it’s worth it,” he murmured. “You are helplessly stuck with me, Taylor. It’s always going to be you and me.”

  “Good.”

  She sniffled and tried to wipe her nose. His feigned grimace broke the tension and made her giggle. Laughing when she could still feel the hot scald of tears against her cheeks made her feel more than a little psychotic. It even made Sebastian snort. He rolled off her and padded into the bathroom, returning a few seconds later with tissues in hand. It was embarrassing, but she dried her face and blew her nose anyway. He wrapped the crumpled wad in an unused sheet and pitched them in the trash before sliding back into bed beside her.

  Nestling against the heated contours of his side, Taylor closed her eyes as he skimmed his fingertips over her ribs in gentle experimentation.

  “Are you still sore?” he whispered.

  “No. I don’t know what they gave me, but I felt fine when I woke up.”

  “They gave you the best stuff they had. Whatever it is, it speeds up the healing process by a longshot. It will take a day or so for the sedatives and painkillers they fed through the IV to wear off. We’ll see how you feel then. Another day or two of not being inside you might be torture, but it won’t kill me,” he said with a rueful smile.

  “It might me.”

  He hugged her tight. “Believe me, darling, as bad as I want you, you’re going to need to be in tip top shape. It would probably be best if we didn’t have company lurking across the hall, too. You aren’t exactly quiet when I ravage you.”

  Gasping, she batted his chest in exasperation. “Me? You’re one to talk, Agent Baas!”

  The bed shook as he tried to hold his laughter in.

  “I can’t believe you said that,” she muttered. “And since when do you care if there are other people around? I seem to remember a rather intense quickie while Irene sat waiting in the other room.”

  The memory made him smirk. “I don’t care,” he admitted. “It just sounded like the appropriate thing to say. Besides, the look on your face was priceless.”

  “You’re shameless.”

  “I am.”

  “How long are your sister and Josh staying for, anyway?” she asked, tracing the solid outline of his chest. The flat planes of his nipples hardened beneath her touch, and he dragged her hand away with a look of soft reproach.

  “Hopefully not long. Josh said a few days. Monique wants to do what she can to help you. That much is a good idea. You could use a break, and we could use some time to focus on us.”

  She smothered another yawn and nodded. Rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, she snuggled closer and draped her leg over the top of his thigh. It felt so good to be home and in his arms again. The crisp smell of linen and fabric softener clung to the blankets. Her lover’s warmth and the hard lines of his body pressed against her skin. He made her feel safe. Secure. Loved. That was what she needed. Closing her eyes, she prayed time would help heal the rest, and that eventually the memories of that horrible night would fade.

  CHAPTER 3~

  Taylor stretched with a quiet grunt and finished filling the filter in the coffee maker. She turned toward the fridge to pull out the eggs and winced at the glint of sun off the stainless steel appliances. Her eyes were still gritty and swollen from crying. Yesterday had been an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. She shook her head. It was better to let the past go. She had so much to be thankful for here, now, with Sebastian. He loved her in a way no one else ever had. Deep down, she knew he also loved her in a way no one else ever would. He was tenderness, passion, and danger all rolled together in to one amazing package. Her lips quirked at the unintended pun. That, too, was quite a breathtaking thing.

  Turning her attention to the mixing bowl she’d set aside, Taylor hummed beneath her breath and started breaking open the eggs. She jumped at the sudden press against her back and the warm hand snaking under the front of her baby tee. Her heart slowed as the scent of Sebastian’s cologne washed over her. Regaining her senses, she swatted his forearm in frustration.

  “Jesus! You just scared another five years off my life sneaking up on me like that!”

  Snaring her hips, he ground against her and kissed the side of her neck. “That’s what you get,” he scolded. “Why aren’t you still in bed?”

  She felt a stab of guilt upon hearing the disappointment in his voice. “I figured I could at least start breakfast since I was awake.”

  Sebastian turned her and lifted her chin. “Do I need to tie you up? I told you I wanted you to rest and take it easy.”

  “I know, but I’m hungry. I slept the last three weeks of my life away. I want…I need to get back to our routine.”

  “I had no idea you were such a creature of habit, Taylor,” he mused, brushing a wispy bang from her face.

  “You made me that way.”

  “It’s hard to argue with that logic. Next time stay put or I will find a way to keep you there.”

  Letting her go, he reached into the cupboard behind her to fish out a mug. The rich smell of coffee was already starting to permeate the house. He eyed the pot impatiently before turning to the stove.

  “What’s for breakfast?” he asked.

  “Scrambled eggs and bacon. Quick and easy.”

  She watched him, admiring the graceful power in his stride, as he moved across the kitchen and opened the butler’s pantry.

  “English muffins, bagels, or toast?” he asked, arching a brow in her direction.

  “Bagels!”

  He grinned at her enthusiasm. “All right,” he said, tossing a package her way. “You toast. I’ll take over the cooking.”

  Before long, the crisp smell of bacon and warm bread wafted through the kitchen. Bright sunlight streamed through the wall of bay windows lining the back of the house, chasing away both shadows and early morning chill. Tiny buds were already starting to speckle the trees and infuse the grounds with vibrant hints of green. Her smile faltered as she remembered Henderson standing over her, his watch both vigilant and kind, while she’d spent hours cleaning out the flowerbeds and getting the yard ready for spring. Neither of them had any idea that a few short hours later, she’d be lying paralyzed in the back of a van as he bled out beside her.

  He’d saved her life that night, and in the end, he’d given his. Tears threatened as she remembered the sincerity in the head of security’s voice while he’d whispered his strained apologies in the dark.

  “Baby?”

  Concern lined Sebastian’s face. Unaware that he’d been studying her, her cheeks flushed with shame. She forced a grin for his benefit, but he knew better. Frowning, he set the spatula down and opened his arms. Taylor abandoned her post in front of the toaster oven and surged into the comforting reassurance of his embrace.

  “What is it? What upset you?”

  She buried her face against the side of his neck. “I was just thinking about Henderson…about all the men that died that night trying to protect us.”

  “Shh,” Sebastian soothed, stroking her hair. “It’s done, baby,” he said, rocking her gently in his arms. “I promise you, I will do everything in my power to assure nothing like that ever happens again. I know it was horrible, but those men died trying to do their job. Henderson gave his life to save yours. It’s an honorable way to go, and it’s what he would have wanted.”

  She searched his eyes. “Do you really think so?”

  “I know so, sweetheart.”

  Scent
ing the air, she cast her attention to the stove. Thin tendrils of darkening smoke rose from the smoldering skillet. Her eyes darted back to his in panic. “The bacon is burning!”

  Sebastian cupped her face in his hands. Leaning down, he rested his forehead against hers. “I don’t give a damn about the bacon, or anything else for that matter, Taylor. All I care about is you.”

  “Well, maybe you don’t give a damn about breakfast, Baas, but I do.”

  They both turned at the husky intrusion of Josh’s voice. Still finger combing his disheveled raven hair, he leveled them with a reproachful look and hurried over to cut the heat down. The sharp sizzling sound echoed through the kitchen as he quickly scraped the meat out of the skillet. His soft curse filled the air.

  “What the hell is wrong with you, anyway?” Josh muttered, shaking the hot grease splatters from his hand. “Not giving a damn about bacon is a lynchable offense to some people.”

  Sebastian rolled his eyes and turned back to Taylor. “Do you see what I have to put up with?”

  She grinned, plying him with a look of mock empathy. “I do,” she said, nodding.

  “You?” Josh asked with a snort. “That’s laughable, Sebastian. Don’t let him fool you, kid. Hell, I got sympathy cards when people found out I was going to be his partner.”

  Sebastian’s head fell back with his quiet bark of laughter. “Did you now?” he asked folding his arms. “And just who sent you those?”

  “Oh no, Baas,” Josh said. “I ain’t saying shit. We’re running low enough on personnel lately as it is.”

  Taylor smothered a laugh behind her hand, her gaze darting between the two men. Sebastian grabbed her chin, forcing her attention back to him.

  “You’re supposed to be on my side here, traitor.”

  She traced the hard lines of his chest as she pressed closer. “I’m always on your side, Sebby.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Of course.”

  “That’s not what your actions say. It’s too late now, darling. Now you are going to have to prove it.”

  “Oh come on,” Josh grumbled, turning back toward the stove. “I haven’t even eaten breakfast yet and the two of you are already starting to make my stomach churn.”

  “It sounds to me like someone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning,” Monique piped in as she strolled into the kitchen. “Play nice with my brother,” she said, sidling up to Josh and stroking a hand over the flat plane of his stomach.

  His face flushed as she leaned up to kiss his cheek, but there was no denying the sparkle of appreciation shimmering in his dark blue gaze. Taylor snickered harder as Sebastian turned away from them with an exasperated huff and a longsuffering roll of his eyes.

  “Give me that,” the blonde said, snatching the spatula from Josh’s hand. “They just got home. The last thing they need is you burning their house down with your attempts to cook.”

  Taylor burst into laughter as Josh’s mouth fell open.

  “Me?” he choked. “Your brother is the one who was burning breakfast!”

  Monique pinned him with a pointed expression. “I find that very hard to believe. You, on the other hand…”

  “Seriously?” Josh’s voice raised another octave. “Baas, tell her.”

  Sebastian strolled past the pair, mug in hand. “It sounds to me like my poor sister is speaking from experience, Josh. Maybe I should send her a sympathy card the next time I hear you are making dinner.”

  “Oh you should.” Monique’s bright green eyes shone with mirth as she nodded. “You definitely should.”

  Laughing even harder, Taylor leaned against the island and wiped the tears from her eyes. Her sides throbbed in protest, but it was a good pain.

  Despite the first batch of bacon, the rest of the food had turned out perfectly. The lighthearted banter continued while they ate, though Josh dominated most of it with his playful razzing. Content and full, Taylor watched Sebastian polish off the rest of his eggs and down the remainder of his coffee.

  Sensing her stare, he glanced up over the rim of his mug. “What would you like to do today?”

  Distracted by the clatter of plates and silverware beside her, she looked over to see Monique already starting to clear the table. Muttering a quick apology, Taylor started to stand to help, but Sebastian curled his fingers around her wrist, his touch gentle but halting.

  “Sit down and answer me,” he ordered. “My sister wants to help you. Let her.”

  “Okay, but she’s not helping. She’s doing everything by herself.”

  She paled, seeing his expression harden.

  “Easy you two. Just relax, Taylor. I got this,” Josh said, springing to his feet and gathering the rest of the table’s contents in his arms.

  “I’m not crippled,” she mumbled.

  Sebastian’s intense eyes continued to bore into her like two hard drills. He gave a tense roll of his shoulders before speaking. “No, Taylor. You aren’t,” he agreed. “You seem to move quite well considering how often you keep edging your toes up to the line. Do you need a reminder of what happens when you decide to cross it?”

  She lowered her head, twisting her hands under the table. Her stomach started to sink. “No.”

  “Good, because I am getting very tired of having this discussion. Next time, I won’t warn you. I will just take you upstairs and we will decide where to go from there. Is that clear?”

  Swallowing, Taylor nodded. “Yes, sir.”

  She flushed, feeling a somber pall suddenly hang in the air as well as the empathy that rolled off Monique as the blonde stood frozen by the sink. Shame coiled through her. This wasn’t how she’d wanted to start their day, and she certainly didn’t want to feel anymore inadequate in the striking blonde’s presence than she already did. Everything about the woman was so perfect. So beautiful. With her willowy frame, long legs, and a smile that could knock a man dead, Sebastian’s sister was far better suited for some exotic photo shoot than doing menial housework in their kitchen.

  Feeling his demeanor grow even more impatient, she grimaced. “I’m sorry,” Taylor mumbled. “I’m just not used to everyone fawning all over me. I don’t mean to come across as stubborn or ungrateful. It’s just that in my uncle’s house, it was always a fend for yourself type thing. No one else knew how to pick up after themselves or do anything.”

  “I get that, kiddo,” Josh soothed. “I grew up with the same sort of deal. What you need to realize though, is that’s not us. We look after our own.”

  “That we do,” Monique agreed. “Speaking of, I need to run in to town for a while after we finish cleaning up. Do you want to come with me, or do you want to hang out here with Sebastian and Tay?”

  “Is that a trick question?” Josh asked, snapping the end of the dishtowel at her butt.

  Monique yelped as the pirouetting end missed its intended target. A pout crossed her pixie-like features as she attempted to rub the sting out of her thigh.

  “That will teach you to try and avoid me,” he teased.

  “I wasn’t trying to avoid you, Josh! I didn’t even move. Jesus! I hope for my brother’s sake that you’re better with a gun than you are wielding a towel. That hurt!”

  “Love is a painful thing, gorgeous. You’d do well to remember that.”

  The declaration rang far more true than Taylor cared to admit. Hanging her head, she grappled with a painful onslaught of memories, both past and present. Her father leaving, her mother dropping her off on her uncle’s doorstep, the way she’d always felt like an outsider looking in until Sebastian pulled her into his arms and welcomed her into his family…and even that had not come without its fair share of heartache and struggle. Frowning, she cast those thoughts aside.

  “I would love to go if Josh doesn’t want to,” Taylor said, eager to change the subject.

  “Uh…” The blonde’s eyes darted to her brother, her expression no longer playful but pinched and pleading.

  “No.”

  Se
bastian’s curt answer took Taylor by surprise. Even Josh glanced between the two of them, his playful demeanor fading beneath a frown. She bit her lip, struggling with a conflicting wave of hurt and anger. The hard glint in Sebastian’s eyes warned her not to question his decision. He’d already made his impatience quite clear, and she had no desire to go upstairs for an attitude adjustment.

  She swallowed against the lump in her throat. Monique had shown her true colors as well. Taylor sighed. Sebastian held his sister to very high standards. Maybe the woman was just worried her substandard behavior would rub off on her. It was a very justifiable concern, given the way the morning was going so far.

  “Make out a list of the things you want. I am sure Monique would be more than happy to pick them up for you while she is out,” Sebastian suggested.

  “Absolutely.”

  His sister offered another one of her sunny, reassuring smiles. Lowering her head, Taylor picked the corner of her thumbnail beneath the table.

  “Thanks, but that won’t be necessary. I forgot about all those meals you stuck in the freezer. Those should be more than enough to get us through,” she said, looking for an easy way to salvage her dignity. “I could really use a hot shower though. Excuse me.”

  Silence followed on her heels. She was grateful when Sebastian made no move to stop her. Padding up the stairs, she struggled to keep her tangled emotions in check. Why had he bothered asking what she wanted to do if he was just going to shoot it down? Obviously going into town wasn’t an option either if he wanted her to give his sister a list. As much as she loved Sebastian, sometimes, the man was beyond frustrating.

  The threat with Laychee was over. She’d spent weeks under a virtual lockdown before the attacks and weeks after recuperating behind the walls of SKALS’ headquarters. Too much more confinement and she stood the risk of going insane. Taylor grumbled to herself. Her proximity to Crazy Town was already questionable enough as it was.

  After turning the shower on full blast, she stripped out of her clothes. A wince escaped her as she stepped beneath the scalding spray and let the hot needles pummel her skin. Thick billows of steam rose to climb the walls as she squeezed some cashmere-scented shampoo on her palm and started scrubbing her scalp. Her mind still churned, replaying the mistakes she’d made that morning in an agonizing loop. Sometimes life seriously needed a re-do button.