Chapter 125 One Room
Emilia’s POV
I held Sebastian’s hand as we walked, golden autumn leaves drifting down around us. A few landed in his hair, and when he looked at me and smiled, I thought my heart might actually burst.
I’d never seen him look so... peaceful. So unburdened.
The Champs-Élysées stretched endlessly before us, and I found myself hoping we’d never reach the end. That we could just keep walking like this forever, hand in hand, with sycamore trees watching over us.
But of course, forever isn’t real.
"I’m so tired, I’m about to collapse," I finally admitted as the sun began to set. "Can we go back now?"
"Okay."
Sebastian smiled and squeezed my hand.
We ended up at a luxury hotel in the center of the city. The moment we entered the room, Sebastian collapsed dramatically onto the sofa, pretending to be completely out of breath.
I wasn’t tired at all. I rushed to the window, taking in the view of Paris spread out before me, and yelled, "Paris, I love you! Paris, you’re so beautiful!"
I shouted until my throat hurt, drunk on happiness and the surreal reality of where I was.
Then a pair of arms wrapped around me from behind.
I went silent immediately, my face flushing hot. My ears burned.
Last night, I’d been heartbroken. Devastated. Ready to leave Sebastian and everything we’d shared behind.
And now, less than twenty-four hours later, we were standing in my dream city, wrapped in each other’s arms like actual lovers.
Sebastian rested his chin on my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck. "Are you hungry? Should we head downstairs for some food?"
"Yes."
I nodded, trying to sound casual even though my heart was hammering against my ribs. I knew what tonight meant. What it could mean.
During dinner, I couldn’t help stealing glances at him across the table. The way the candlelight caught his sharp jawline, those green eyes that always seemed to see right through me. My mind wandered to places it probably shouldn’t have—imagining his lips on mine, his hands...
Sebastian had only booked one room. One. Single. Room.
He’d made his intentions clear.
My lips curved upward despite my attempt to stay composed.
"Do you still want to go out for a walk later?" Sebastian asked, cutting into his steak.
"No." I shook my head perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. "I’m tired."
I wasn’t tired at all. I just didn’t want to waste this beautiful night wandering around Paris when we could be...
After dinner, we stepped into the elevator. Sebastian pulled me against his chest, one arm wrapped securely around my waist. I leaned into him, feeling like we were floating not to the tenth floor, but straight into the clouds.
The elevator dinged. Sebastian retrieved his key card and opened the door. He shrugged off his coat and loosened his tie.
"I’m sweating all over. I need a shower," he said, already heading toward the bathroom.
"Well, okay, go wash up."
I kept my eyes lowered, feeling the heat creep up my neck and flood my cheeks.
The moment the bathroom door clicked shut, I started pacing. Back and forth. Back and forth across the plush hotel carpet. The sound of running water made my pulse quicken.
What the hell am I supposed to do? I’d tried seducing him before, multiple times, actually, but now that it was really happening, my confidence evaporated like steam.
The water shut off.
My heart jumped.
The bathroom door opened, and Sebastian emerged with his upper body completely naked. Water droplets ran down his sculpted muscles, trailing down his abs, and then—
My eyes landed on the tattoo across his chest. That name.
All the heat, all the anticipation, left my body in an instant.
"Go wash up," Sebastian said, grabbing a towel.
"I’ll wait a little longer." I turned away, walking to the window. "I want to see the night view again."
The lights of Paris blurred before me. My excitement from moments ago evaporated, replaced by a hollow ache in my chest.
I felt Sebastian approach before his arms wrapped around me from behind. His chin rested on my shoulder again, and when he spoke, his voice was raw with honesty.
"I’ve given my heart to you, which means that word is no longer important. I’ll have it removed tomorrow." He paused, his grip tightening slightly. "If you mind it, I won’t touch you tonight."
Something inside me broke open.
His words were genuine. And coming from Sebastian, who guarded his emotions like state secrets, they meant everything.
I stood there quietly, letting his sincerity wash over me. Then I turned in his arms, ready to tell him he was an idiot if he thought I’d let some stupid tattoo ruin our night—
But he kissed me before I could get the words out.
His mouth tasted like mint. He held me so tightly I could barely breathe, and when I looked up at him through trembling lashes, his green eyes were burning with an intensity I’d never seen before.
I raised my arms and locked them around his neck, pulling him closer.
If this was a dream, I was going to enjoy every damn second of it.
I’d never seen Sebastian like this, so intense, so primal, like he’d finally stopped holding himself back.
He kept me trapped in his arms, our bodies tangled together as he took off my clothes piece by piece. Then he just stared at me, his gaze roaming over every inch of exposed skin with such hunger that I felt it like a physical touch.
He lifted me effortlessly and carried me to the bed, laying me down before covering my body with his. I was completely trapped beneath him, surrounded by his scent of mint and cedar, and I’d never felt safer in my life.
Sebastian started kissing my neck, his lips trailing lower and lower, and I finally understood what it meant to want someone that badly.