He pulled back and I felt his stare even with my eyes closed. I was still humming inside from his kiss when he spoke.

“What are these?” he asked.

“It’s paperwork for a technical college. I was thinking of taking some online classes.”

It was a quick decision when I’d gotten up that morning and had nothing to do. I’d always been obsessed with forensics and dreamed of a career in that field. Online classes would be something I could spend time on and it would be pushing me in a better direction financially. I was excited to do something for myself—something that could benefit my future.

“I didn’t know you were interested in going to school.”

“Well, yeah. I mean, it’s a smart choice. I don’t expect you to be my sexual benefactor forever. I need to be able to take care of myself. That means getting a degree and getting a job.”

“You don’t need to work. I’ll take care of you.”

“Come on, Sebastian. We both know this isn’t going to last forever. You’ve already made it clear that you don’t do love, and I’ve made it perfectly clear that I do. Plus, this isn’t what I want. I don’t want you to take care of me. I want to be able to take care of myself.”

He looked down at the paperwork and made a face a few at the pictures from a crime scene.

“What the hell is this?” he asked.

“Those are the classes I’ll look into once I do two years at the technical college. I want to get into forensics and help solve crimes.”

He looked at me like I was crazy, and I couldn’t help but giggle a little.

“What made you want to get into this?”

I didn’t want to answer. Twelve years later and my parents’ death was still a touchy subject. Probably because I never got closure. I wanted to make sure no other family had to go through that.

“The same thing that started my fear of guns,” I answered.

“Someone you knew was shot?”

“Yes.”

“Were you there?”

“No, but I’m the one that found her. They never caught her killer. I want to try to make a difference.”

He didn’t push anymore, which was one of the things I loved the most about Sebastian.

“If you think that’s what you need to do. As long as it doesn’t interfere with my time,” his cocky smile made his dimples pop.

He was definitely being different since we’d slept together, but I didn’t say anything about it. His smile was too sweet—I didn’t want to ruin it. I’d probably never get over how sexy he was, and after giving myself over to him so completely I wasn’t sure I wanted to.

“Your time? Seriously?”

“Yes, my time. When I want you, I want you. I don’t like to wait.”

I couldn’t help myself. I giggled so hard my stomach hurt.

“Are you laughing at me?”

I liked how playful he was being. It made him seem like a normal everyday guy.

“Yes,” I chuckled. “Sir, yes sir!” I playfully saluted him.

“Go ahead and laugh,” he moved closer. “It doesn’t matter because this belongs to me,” he said, reaching down between my legs.

And just like that, the laughter stopped. I didn’t like his tone, and hated that he was more right than he realized.

I smacked his hand away. “I belong to no one.”

Pulling me to him, he leaned down and ran his nose up the side of my neck, before planting a soft kiss beneath my ear.

“That’s where you’re wrong, sweetheart. I licked it, so it’s mine. “

And then, he was kissing me. I wanted to push him away, and I wanted to pull him closer. His hands made their way down my hips and grabbed me, lifting me up as he pressed his body into mine. He was promising me another night like the one before.

He broke away. “How about taking a tour of your bedroom?” His voice dropped before he leaned down and took my mouth again.

I didn’t hold back, kissing him with all I had. With his hands cupping my face, he walked me backward, until my ass hit the door. He lifted me and I wrapped my legs around his waist. He pressed into me and I broke the kiss and moaned with closed eyes.

He pushed the door open and we stumbled into my room, surrounded by all of my things. I’d cried happy tears when I first saw how organized my personal items had been, and now the place was home. That was something I’d always be thankful for when it came to Sebastian. He was an asshole, but he’d given me a home when I didn’t have one.