Sebastian (Big Cats Book 1) Read online

  Once he got back to the house, Truly jumped on him hugging him. She’d received her arrangement which made her happy. “I loved it. How did you know I loved orchids?”

  “Just a lucky guess.” Maybe he shouldn’t take the credit but it felt nice that Truly thought he’d been observant.

  “Thank you. I guess we’d better get to sleep.” She hurried off with a sappy smile on her face.

  The week was challenging starting with personal assistant trials. Truly was looking for someone to take her place. It wasn’t working out too well. The job was hard which meant several just walked out on them. One cried constantly until Truly had to send her home. Another one passed out, they had to call an ambulance for her.

  “Where are you finding these people?” He asked.

  “I just ran an ad in the local paper. It’s how we find most of the employees in New York,” Truly declared.

  “No, we run an ad in the shifter paper,” Seb pointed out.

  “There isn’t one down here.” Truly complained.

  “I think you need to call Ariel. You’ve run out of applicants anyway,” Seb observed.

  “I think you’re right,” Truly agreed. It was Tuesday. She called Ariel who promised to send someone over in the morning.

  First thing in the morning, a young lady knocked on the door. Truly let her in. “Am I in the right place?” She asked looking around.

  “Are you here about a job?” Truly asked. She nodded. “What’s your name?”

  “I’m Tera. Ariel sent me.”

  “Great. Why don’t we get started?” Truly asked.

  Seb settled into his work wondering if the girl would still be there at lunch. When lunch rolled around, Truly brought pizza into his office then sat with him to talk. “Is she still here?” He asked.

  “She is. I think she may actually be a good fit. Tera is calm, letting nothing get her upset. The girl knows what she’s doing to the point that I think you’ll be pleased. Even the guys can’t get her riled.”

  “Have they hit on her?” Seb asked.

  “What do you think?” Truly asked with a snort.

  “That’s unladylike,” he commented.

  “So? I’m a manager now which means I don’t have to act like a lady.”

  “Not true. You have to set an example now,” Seb corrected.

  “Like you do?”

  “I’m not a lady,” he noted with a smirk.

  “You’ve been in an exceptionally good mood this week. What’s going on?” Truly questioned.

  “I don’t know what you mean. I’m always in a good mood.”

  “Either you got lucky or you think you’re going to.”

  “Truly, that’s no way for you to talk.”

  “I’m right, aren’t I?”

  “I might have plans for Saturday, but it’s nothing so vulgar,” Seb admitted.

  “Who is it? Is it a lioness or a wolf?”

  “I don’t kiss and tell.”

  “You’ve already kissed?”

  “Well, no. Not yet.”

  “I’ll just wait. You’ll tell me when you get back. I’m going to have Tera work directly with you after lunch.”

  “Bring it on,” Seb said. He honestly hoped this girl would work out. Truly would need to hire an assistant for herself too.

  They finished eating in silence. It wasn’t awkward, they were old friends. Once they were done, they cleaned up with Truly heading to the other side of the porch so she could sit at her desk. When Tera came back after lunch, she sent her to Seb. He’d seen no problems with the girl, but how experienced could she be when she looked like a teenager?

  He gave her a pile of paperwork to go through. Truly would double check everything and ensure it was all done correctly. The girl took it without a word. She moved to a small desk nearby so she could get to work. Seb admired the way she worked without interruption or complaint until she was done. She took the stack of work to Truly so she could check on everything.

  Truly paged through it all. “Good job, Tera.”

  It looked like they had a winner. Tera would work with Truly a couple weeks to make sure she was up to speed on everything before they looked for Truly’s assistant. When the day was done, he was relieved. One more day to get through before the day his date was on. It surprised him how excited he was about it.

  Finally, the day had arrived. He was up early, his lion purring like a damn kitty cat. He’d pushed down his excitement for a week, but now it was breaking free. Seb paced, fully ready but it was too early to go. Andi would think he was overanxious like a virgin cub ready for a hot date if he showed up now. That wasn’t something he’d been in a long time.

  When the clock finally got to a quarter till seven, it was time to leave. He’d get there perfectly on time. He did. Andi came out locking the door just as he arrived. She carried a reusable shopping bag stuffed full of things. Seb got out and walked around opening the door for her. After she got in, he closed it carefully. They drove to Sara’s parking near the door since the place wasn’t that busy this early.

  Andi hopped out, so he couldn’t get the door for her so he got the door to the diner instead. She headed to a table at the front with him right behind her. Sara didn’t take their order, she just brought them their food. Seb raised his brow at Andi, but he dug in anyway. Maybe she had known what he would like. The meal was good, he had to admit it.

  They were finished quickly, he paid, and then they took coffee to go. He opened her door for her, being a gentleman. It felt good to be with her. His lion was in full agreement, but this was just for fun. This could never go anywhere. She gave him instructions so he headed out following them carefully.

  They stopped at several flea markets and yard sales along the way. He was surprised by some of the things she managed to find. Some of her purchases surprised him too, but she assured him she would make them look good.

  Once they hit Springfield, they were in and out of one store or garage sale after another. Andi was like a tornado as she moved from one place to another. It was amazing to watch her search the piles of items before she found something where she would begin to make a deal.

  “So where to next?” Seb asked.

  “It’s lunch time. Just drive down this road to the stoplight. There’s a great steak house. We’ll eat lunch there.”

  “As you command, Sweetheart,” Seb agreed.

  He pulled into the parking lot pulling up near the door when someone left. The place was busy, but there was seating available. The hostess took them to a table handing them menus. A waitress came quickly so they could order. Seb was getting really hungry with the smell of good food in the air.

  “I’m going to take the number three, medium rare, with a side salad topped with ranch.”

  “Got it,” the waitress said before she turned to Seb.

  “I’ll take the number six, rare, French fries, but loaded.”

  “Got it. What do you want to drink?”

  They both took tea so the waitress hurried to get their drinks. The place was nice and he could see it becoming a favorite when he came to the big city.

  Chapter 6

  Getting to Know Him

  Andi would admit the day had been great so far. Sebastian was all that and more. He’d been the perfect gentleman, even if the interest in his eyes was enough to set her on fire. Carrying her bags, opening doors for her, nothing was too much for him to do. So far, the shopping trip had been the best ever. It was like he’d given her luck to find exactly what she needed at just the right price.

  The meal had gone well, of course, it was her favorite steak restaurant. It looked like it would be his favorite too. Seb, as he asked her to call him, insisted on paying since he pointed out, it was a date. The male was too perfect. That was a breath of fresh air after the awful situation she’d recently had. Lately, she’d been jumping at every sound but she felt safe with Seb.

  There was no doubt he was a predator, it was obvious he was strong enough to protect hi
s territory. Right now, she was part of that territory. Andi didn’t mind feeling protected, although she had a feeling he was looking for something she wasn’t prepared to give out. It wasn’t that the male wasn’t sexy as hell, it was that this couldn’t go anywhere. She liked sex, but she didn’t want an empty sexual relationship.

  She walked behind him as they left the restaurant noticing his great ass matched with muscular legs. Yup, he was sex on a stick. Andi almost walked into him when they got to his SUV because she was staring at his ass so hard. He opened the door for her, letting her get settled before he closed it. So far, his behavior had been perfect, he’d not even tried to steal a kiss.

  It might sound like she was disappointed that he hadn’t tried anything, but she wasn’t. She was only confused as to why he hadn’t. That was her only concern. The fact that he was gorgeous, which made her motor run, had nothing to do with it.

  By the time they were headed home, the back of his SUV was full plus she had items in the floorboard on her side of the SUV. It had been a successful trip, there was no other way to describe it. She would also go so far as to say they had enjoyed the time they spent together. Most of the items in back were hers, but Seb had found a few interesting things too. Maybe he really was looking for collectibles to fill a new house.

  “It’ll be suppertime when we get home. Do you want to call an order in to Sara’s? I’ll drop you off at home before I go pick it up,” Seb offered.

  Who knew shopping could make someone so hungry? “Okay, that way I can get ready for all the stuff we have to unload.” Andi was excited. Some of the pieces would fly off the shelves.

  She dug out her phone so she could make the call. Sara picked up right away. Andi ordered them both the steak special with all the extras. It would fill up a big guy like Seb. If she had leftovers, she could save them for lunch tomorrow. As soon as they got to the shop, he pulled over so she could hop out. Seb took off to get their food while she cleared some shelf space. Since she knew what she had, it was easier to figure out where to put things than it would have been before she left.

  He was back in no time so they decided to eat after the SUV was empty. It took about half an hour with her putting things that were ready to sell in place as they came in. The items she had to work on, went to the back. She was thrilled with how everything had come together.

  “Looks like we can sit down to eat now,” Andi said.

  “Where’s you dining room?” Seb asked.

  “Upstairs,” she replied before she thought about it. Upstairs might not be the best place to take a male that was sexy as fuck. Just saying. Too late now, the invitation was out of the bag, so to speak.

  Seb picked up the large bags immediately moving up the stairs. Her living room was first with her dining area, more like an alcove really, next. Her room was to the right down the hallway but the bathroom was first.

  Andi pointed to the hall. “The bathroom is the first room.” Rooms were only on one side of the hall. The bathroom, bedrooms, with a storage room at the end of the hall. It worked for her. A couple could even live there without too much trouble. Kids? The space was too open with the stairs the biggest danger.

  Andi had a plan. Once the shop was paid for, she would start saving money while looking for the right man. A Mr. Mom that had a job he could do from home so he could help with the kids. He would be biddable, she didn’t want a bossy man telling her what to do. They would buy a nice house just outside of town. It would be big enough for a large family.

  She would hire a manager for the shop. They would live in the apartment as part of their wages. Andi could then use her talents to stock the gift shop, make arrangements, as well as filling in where needed. Eventually, she would also hire a delivery person who would also cover the shop part of the time. Mary would still have a job, but she would get another part timer to take Harry’s position when he left.

  Her intention had always been to grow the business. The store next door had been empty for a long time with a for sale sign in the window. If she had the means, she would buy it too. A book store with a coffee shop would be a good fit for the size of the place. It would also have a lot of traffic coming through that would help her flower shop. It would be a great place to kill an hour of two with a book and dessert. Yeah, Andi had big dreams, but they would be slow to reach fruition. It was a good thing she had patience. For now, she would enjoy the little time that was left in the evening while trying to avoid the pitfalls of the dating traps.

  Seb went to the bathroom to clean up while she got glasses out for their drinks. She emptied the bags, placing their food in front of their places. Gee, the food smelled so good! Andi went to the kitchen to wash her hands, expecting Seb to be back by the time she was done. He was waiting for her with a chair pulled out so he could help seat her.

  “Thank you,” she said as she watched him take his seat. Andi had plates on the table that they both spooned their food onto. “Sara is such a good cook.”

  Seb took a bite slowly chewing. “Yes, she is,” he agreed once his mouth was empty. They both ate quietly was comfortable.

  “So, what do you do for fun?” Seb asked as he finished his food.

  “I’m an avid reader when I find time. I also enjoy reworking things I buy at the sales. Fixing things up or completely repurposing them is satisfying. Around the holidays, I still cook, bake mostly. Cookies go to churches that feed the hungry. What do you do?”

  “I love to spend time with fun people. I haven’t done that in a long time. Especially not a lovely female like you.”

  Andi’s face burned it was so red. She didn’t know how to handle flirting, she hadn’t been around it in so long. She started to clear off the table causing Seb jump up to help her. Once the trash was thrown away, the leftovers put up, and the dishes washed, Seb pressed her against the counter to take his kiss. Heaven help her, she leaned into him giving as good as she got.

  Andi let out a moan that seemed to pull a groan from Seb. His hands roamed over her body but she couldn’t find the strength to voice an objection or pull away. Dear Lord, she was turning into a slut. Was that what happened when you did without sex for two years?

  Seb picked her up and carried her to her room. She started to object, but he set her on her feet then kissed her. His hands reached for her shirt pulling it up as he leaned back so he could take it off her. Cool air hit her over heated skin. His lips returned before she could clear the need from her head. In the back of her mind, she knew this was a mistake. Too bad her body didn’t agree.

  Next, he leaned back to pull off his own shirt which he dropped to the floor carelessly. When he pulled her into his arms again, she felt his silky heated skin against hers. Her bra popped loose as his hands tugged the straps down her arms until it joined the other items on the floor. She heard his shoes when he kicked them off as they hit the floor.

  The evening was not going as she had planned. It seemed to be going the way Sebastian had planned. How had she lost all control of the situation? Somehow, they were nearly naked. Her shoes were still on, but her pants and panties were around her ankles. She felt his hardness pressing against her. It was monstrous. Her eyes widened in disbelief. None of the guys she’d ben with before had been more than average.

  Andi hadn’t minded, the first time it had been easier on her because her boyfriend didn’t stretch her much. Now she was a bit concerned about where that big thing was going to go. “Shh, it will fit. I’ll make sure you’re ready for me,” Seb assured.

  He picked her up, taking her to the bed where he pulled her shoes off before stripping her pants as well as her panties the rest of the way off. Those were tossed to the floor also. A tremor of desire ran over her. She’d never wanted a male so much in her life. This didn’t feel like a one night stand, even though that was all it could be.

  His hands moved over her body with his mouth following along. When he reached her nipples, he drew one in tugging on it hard. Moisture coated her channel in a rush sliding down
to the inside of her thighs. He groaned making her wonder if he scented it with his superior sense of smell. The thought made her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. At least he seemed to like it.

  After he sucked on both her nipples until they were sensitive as hell, he moved down making her writhe in anticipation. The touch of his soft lips tinkled slightly while his hands thrilled her. When he reached her mound, he breathed on it with his heated breath. More moisture slid down her thighs. She felt on the edge of an orgasm before he’d even touched her core.

  His tongue flicked out to taste her essence and he moaned in delight. “You taste so sweet,” Seb praised.

  Her fingers slid into his hair holding him in position as his face lowered to her clit so his tongue could work her bundle of nerves. One hand moved under her ass to tilt her into a more open position while his other hand began to finger her. He used one finger at first, but added another quickly. The third one was the last he added as he furiously finger fucked her.

  Andi felt her passion spiral out of control as she was sucked into the vortex of pure pleasure. She threw back her head, screaming his name as her body thrashed against him in pure abandon. Moisture flooded her channel as her release rocked her. Her mind was in a daze as bliss pulsed all over her.

  Seb didn’t wait, he slid up her body, positioning his cock head at her entrance. Her well lubricated channel welcomed his shaft as he thrust forward burying himself balls deep inside her. He grunted, possibly from the effort of staying still for a moment so her body would adjust to his size. Her lover didn’t stay still long. In seconds, he hammered in and out of her with ardor.

  She felt the need building again. He coaxed the response from her body like a musician playing a finely tuned instrument. Seb went in so deep, she imagined she could feel him hitting her tonsils. The spots he was hitting were lighting up and she was so close anything could push her over.

  “Come for me, Baby,” Seb whispered which was all it took. Her legs wrapped around him squeezing tight as she arched up against him. Andi’s channel clutched him so tightly, it never wanted to let go.