Little Black Break (Little Black Book #2) (2 page)

THE SMELL OF EGGS, BACON, and freshly brewed coffee filled our condo. Humming softly to myself, I stirred the eggs in a dreamlike state.

Life was good.

No.

Life was great.

It was a little daunting to think that things might never be as wonderful as they were right now. I was the girl who never had much in the love department. I had Kyle and I had Gran, but when I lost my grandmother and life sank deep into the depths of despair, I was sure I’d never come up for air.

I had, though.

I’d come up with a fresh resolve—new meaning and purpose—and I’d done so with love on my side. Thanks to Sebastian, life was a sweet relief. I could never put into words the difference he made in my life. And in Kyle’s life, as well. I’d never be able to thank him properly, but I planned to spend the rest of my life trying.

The bacon sizzled in the pan, grease popping up and nipping at my palm. I rarely got to make breakfast for Sebastian, but after last night, I felt it was completely deserved. The things he’d done to me—the ways he’d bent my body and made my muscles burn—the way he’d dug into my mind making me explode from within … it was magic.

The man had stamina and determination—only finding his release once I’d found mine so many times I was exhausted and covered in sweat. After the night we had together, I woke up with the sun feeling as though I’d spent the night riding a Clydesdale while rowing a boat. Muscles I didn’t know I had hurt—spasming with every move I made—but it was well worth the frequent twinges of pain.

I was still having a hard time believing my life was real. My little brother, Kyle, was busy attending a prestigious art school, thanks to Sebastian. My best friend, Trish, was finally dating a decent guy named Brice, and I was the happiest I’d ever been in my life. And to top it off, I was going to marry the man of my dreams. I was going to get everything I ever dreamed of.

Turning off the gas stove and setting the pan to the side, I stopped for a second to admire the sparkle of my diamond ring in the morning sun. My heart fluttered just thinking about how satisfying the last couple of years with Sebastian had been. He made me so happy. So much so that it never occurred to me to press for anything more than he was willing to give me.

I loved him and I knew he loved me, which made it easy for me to give him the time he needed to take things to the next level between us. The memory of the week before and how dark and handsome he’d looked on one knee made me smile. It was the perfect moment—one that I hoped I’d never forget.

Trish used to call me a liar when I’d tell her about all the romantic things Sebastian would do for me. I couldn’t blame her really. Not many people knew the real Sebastian. No one would believe he had a romantic streak a mile wide, but our marriage would prove many people wrong.

A loud knock on the door surprised me, and I frowned, wiping my hands on a towel before making my way toward the door. I knew the club was already preparing downstairs, but it was rare that anyone would come up here this early.

Looking through the peephole, I smiled and pulled open the door.

“Good morning, Mac,” I greeted cheerfully, leaning into the door.

“Miss Harris,” he responded.

He was all business, especially when Sebastian was around, but as he scanned the condo for his boss, I could see the twitch of a smile that tugged at his lips. He was failing completely at his attempt at a formal greeting.

I laughed at his struggle to keep a straight face.

“How many times do I have to tell you to call me Rosslyn, Mac? All your Miss Harris crap is getting old.” I frowned playfully. “We talked about doing a secret knock when you came up here.”

“No,
you
talked, and I clearly rejected the idea as soon as you made it.”

I laughed again.

Mac was such a funny guy; especially, when he was trying hard not to be.

I turned and walked back toward the kitchen, leaving him standing in the doorway.

“Are you hungry? I made breakfast.”

I liked Mac.

A lot.

I had since the moment Sebastian hired him. He came off intimidating with this giant size and dark, daunting glares, but over the last year, I’d come to know the softer side of him. I enjoyed teasing him, and when no one was looking, mainly Sebastian, he teased back—making me feel like I had an older brother for the first time.

All joking aside, though, he took his job of looking out for Sebastian very serious. Their relationship was the polar opposite of mine and Mac’s. Sebastian was different after everything had happened with Vick, and it showed in the way he kept Mac at an arm’s length.

“No, I’m good.” He walked into the room, filling the large space with his wide shoulders and height. “Is he up?”

There was a weird switch in Mac’s tone when he asked about Sebastian, and I turned around to face him.

“No, he’s still asleep. Why? Is something wrong?”

His brows lifted as if he’d been caught in the cookie jar, and he quickly covered it by clearing his expression—becoming the impassive employee Sebastian held so dear.

“What? No, no.” He shook his head as he stuttered.

I wasn’t convinced.

Something was up with Mac. I could see it in his expression and the tense way he held his body.

“When he gets up, can you let him know I was looking for him?”

“Of course.”

“Thanks.” He smiled and turned around, leaving the condo and closing the door softly behind him.

I had a hard time rejoicing in one of the rare smiles Mac gave as I tried to shake the uneasy feeling Mac had left lingering.

I set the table, making Sebastian a plate of bacon and eggs, and then I poured him a cup of coffee in his favorite mug. I was completely lost in thought when I felt his strong arms wrap around me.

“Good morning, Mrs. Black.” His deep voice was sexy and full of sleep.

I turned in his arms, taking in his wide chest and perfect sleepy smile before I reached out and found his soft lips with mine. Our kiss was different—deeper and full of anticipation. I enjoyed the taste of him—the feel of him—and when I was seconds away from melting for him all over again, I pulled away.

“It’s not official yet, Mr. Black.” I palmed his cheek, his scruff rough against my palm.

“It could be. I could make you Mrs. Black by the end of the day.”

He lifted me onto the corner of the table, pulling back enough so he could look down at me. His finger was hot against my skin as he trailed it over my chest until he reached the opening of the button up shirt I was wearing.

It was his.

I loved wearing his clothes, especially after he’d worn them. I could smell his cologne in the collar every time I took a breath.

“I’m listening.” I lifted my chin, allowing him access to all my sensitive places.

“I know a lot of judges who would be more than willing to squeeze us in.”

I frowned, feeling my heart sink a little. “You want to get married in a courthouse?”

He shrugged and reached behind me to pop a piece of crisp bacon into his mouth. “It’s an idea. What do you think?”

Inside, I was screaming at his idea. The thought of marrying him in a courthouse wasn’t ideal, but I knew Sebastian wasn’t one for flashy weddings and long ceremonies. I’d never thought about it really, since I was always sure I’d never be the girl in the white dress, but now that the moment was a possibility, I wanted it to be perfect.

But more than anything, I didn’t want to put Sebastian through something he didn’t want. I didn’t want him to resent our wedding or me for wanting something more. More had never been in my vocabulary growing up. I could do without more as long as I had him.

“I guess that would be okay, but I’d really like Kyle and Trish to be there if you’re okay with that.”

My cheeks ached with the forced smile I plastered on my face for his benefit. I didn’t want to look up and have him see the complete devastation I was feeling. But he surprised me once again when he burst into laughter.

My head snapped up and a frown tugged at my lips.

“What’s so funny?”

I was lost and taken aback by his reaction.

His warm palms made my cheeks tingle when he grabbed my face and kissed me loudly with a smack. His eyes were bright with laughter when he pulled away and looked down at me.

“You would think by the look on your face I was asking you to plan a funeral and not our wedding.”

“I’m lost, Sebastian …” I waited for him to explain himself.

“I was only kidding, Rosslyn … I would never dream of depriving my beautiful bride-to-be of the wedding of her dreams.”

I felt the knot in my chest loosen. “You mean you’re okay with having an actual wedding?”

“Of course. I’m happy when you’re happy.” He placed a soft kiss on my forehead. “Plus, I have a lot to make up for when it comes to your happiness.”

He didn’t, but no matter how many times I told him so, he was bound and determined to make up for the loss of my parents. I didn’t want to tell him that nothing he could do would ever make up for their loss. I already hated that he blamed himself for their murder.

Sure, he was there, but he didn’t pull the trigger. And after living with Sebastian, I knew better than anyone did that he had tortured himself enough in the years after my parents’ death. It was time we both moved on and made a life together—one without the blackness of the past.

“I couldn’t be happier than I am right now.”

His grin was nothing short of devilish as his fingers freed the buttons of his shirt I was wearing to expose my naked flesh. His eyes moved over my body as if I was an unwrapped gift. I loved the way he looked at me—the way he worshiped my body and mind. 

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that, Mrs. Black.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes.” His hot tongue marked my shoulder before he moved up the side of my neck. “I bet I could make you scream with happiness.”

My fingers found the elastic waistband of his pajama bottoms and I pulled them down. My cool fingers met his hot flesh, and he exhaled in pleasure.

“I’d like to see you try.” I grinned.

“Challenge accepted.”

Sebastian was a man of his word, making me scream in pleasure on our kitchen table. The sun was on my cheeks and the sounds of the city were just outside the window. My fingers were in his hair and his lips were against my ear as he whispered all the different ways he planned to pleasure me for the rest of our lives.

And afterward, over cold eggs and bacon, we decided six months was the perfect amount of time to plan a wedding. This took much persuasion on my part. Sebastian thought planning a wedding wouldn’t take more than a month.

There was no way.

Not even with all the money he possessed.

“Six months it is,” he said with his hands up in defeat. “Oh, before I forget, who was at the door earlier?”

After everything, I’d almost forgot about Mac’s mysterious early visit.

“It was Mac,” I said around a mouthful of cold eggs. “He wanted to see if you were up and coming down to the club. He seemed … agitated.”

“Mac agitated?” His eyes widened. “That’s impossible.”

I laughed through another bite.

“Stop it. Mac’s like …” I thought about it for a second, stabbing the air with my fork. “A big ol’ teddy bear.”

Sebastian laughed, almost spewing orange juice across the table. “Mac? A teddy bear? You’re joking, right?”

“Nope. He’s a teddy bear. A big fluffy one. You just don’t know him like I do.”

He eyed me, his brow lifting teasingly. “Like you do, huh? Should I be jealous, Mrs. Black?”

Leaning over, I tangled my fingers with his.

“Never, Sebastian,” I promised. “You’re the only one for me, and in six months, you’ll be mine forever.”

“And you’ll be mine,” he said, squeezing my hand tightly.

I nodded with a smile. “Yep.”

“Damn,” he said, shaking his head in awe. “I can’t wait.”