The Cuddle Pact

30

Dance.

In which Sebastian's and Mira dance the night away.

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THE NEXT MORNING, KALE, MY BODYGUARD, was at the apartment bright and early, dressed in his standard running gear. He was tapping away at his phone, a fond smile on his face as he chuckled to himself and began to type even quicker. I leaned against the threshold of the door and smirked at him, waiting for him to lift his head to meet my gaze. And when he did, I noticed the blush that crept up his neck and spread across his cheeks.

"Who has you smiling like that?" I questioned curiously, pushing myself off the frame and walking towards him. My legs ached with every step, courtesy of Sebastian, but I forced myself to ignore it as Kale stood up and tucked his phone into his pocket.

He smiled bashfully and avoided my gaze. He was like a schoolboy in love. "Mara, actually." At the mention of Lena's friend, I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Remember when we went to the restaurant and she paid for my meal? I finally got the chance to make that up to her and," he paused and the grin that broke out on his face had me cooing at how happy he looked. "I really fucking fancy her."

I brought a hand down on his shoulder and grinned back at him. "I'm happy for you, Kale. God knows you deserve to fall in love again." He nodded in agreement and fell into step with me as we made our way out of Sebastian's apartment.

He had gone to work earlier than usual due to an office emergency, but left me a note after I fell asleep again — after our second round. He had said verbatim 'if I wasn't recovering because of my operation, I'd only stop until you couldn't walk straight.'

My cheeks warmed at the mere thought of it. Kale glanced at me as we waited for the lift. "I'm guessing I'm not the only one with their head in the clouds." He chuckled at my silence and pressed the button again as if that would make it come faster. And when we made it to the park, I realised that he was right.

Truthfully, Sebastian crossed my mind at least once every day and at the beginning of our relationship, and even when the cuddle pact began, it made me realise that I couldn't stop thinking about him no matter how hard I tried. That was the scary thing about love. A piece of me was ingrained in him, which meant that he would be a part of me for as long as we loved each other.

It scared me to even think that less than a month ago, I could've lost him. His heart may have been broken, literally, but mine would have shattered if he had died on the operating table. I was so grateful that he was alive and that we finally had a chance to be together with no baggage weighing us down.

Suddenly, Kale's arm collided with my chest as he held me back from the bike that spiralled out of control and the little boy who fell from it. I gasped when his knees scraped against the rough running path. Kneeling down, my hands gently turned him over as he began wailing uncontrollably at the sight of his bleeding and torn skin.

My eyes flitted across his face and I had no time to register his features. Blue eyes with black hair.

"Jake!" a voice exclaimed, hysterically. And when I looked up, I barely saw who I presumed to be his mother as she forcefully stopped her bike and practically leapt off it to take her son in her arms, her fiery red hair shielding her face. "What did I tell you about going too fast downhill?" she questioned, having her back to me.

Kale glanced at me and nodded to the way we came. "We'll just run the other way, come on."

Nodding, I pivoted on my heel before keeping up the moderate pace with Kale. We ran for another hour before we made our way back to the apartment. I was in the shower when my phone rang from where I had placed it on the sink table.

I quickly accepted the call before lowering the water pressure and heard Sebastian's deep voice flow through the bathroom. "Hey, pumpkin. Are you busy right now?"

"Well, I'm in the shower right now. What's up?"

There was silence on his end and I immediately knew what he was thinking. I laughed when he spoke again with a slightly strained voice that had sarcastic undertones. "The image of you naked in my shower is exactly what I need when you're not here. Thank you." He sighed and slowly began talking again. "I was calling to see if you had a dress for the fundraiser tonight. If not, James' mother wants to help you."

My eyebrows twitched slightly in confusion. "She remembers me?" I asked in confusion. I had only met her once when Sebastian and I had gone to the Douglas mansion before we started dating. But, I remember him telling me that she was a fashion designer at his Better Tomorrow charity gala.

"Caroline never forgets a face, pumpkin. I always go to her for my suits. You were going to see James today anyway, right?" when I answered in the affirmative, he continued. "She truly is the best. See what you think and if none of them tickle your fancy then we can go shopping."

I shook my head and laughed as I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my body. "I don't think that'll be necessary. I'll see you later."

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

James wobbled on his crutches as I stood up and gently wrapped my arms around him. He chuckled softly and leaned into the hug. "I'm not going to break if you give me a proper hug, Mira." I heeded his words and tightened my grip around him before stepping back.  He lowered himself down into the chair in front of me and a small smile decorated his face. His expressive blue eyes gleamed with happiness as they levelled on mine.

"How have you been, Mira?" he asked, laying his crutches down by his feet.

"I'm doing okay," I answered truthfully, mustering up a soft smile. "What's been happening with you?"

At that, he grinned. "Well, you probably already knew this, but Lena and I are together. Have been for a couple of months, actually."

I couldn't stop myself from scoffing playfully. "I knew it ever since we went to the cabin." A light tint of red spread across his cheeks and he lowered his head to read the menu. "Lena confirmed it for me when she would turn away every guy that approached her."

He looked more than satisfied with my answer, and I liked that the news didn't shock him since I could tell he trusted Lena completely. "Enough about me. I haven't been able to congratulate you on your restaurant. I'm really proud of you, Mira."

I grinned and fiddled with the salt shaker on the table. "Thank you. You should come by one night and try the food. Not to toot my own horn, but it's amazing." Picking up the menu, my stomach grumbled at the sight of all the food. The run has worked up quite an appetite and I had to refrain from ordering too much when the waitress came around.

"I definitely will." He spoke again once we had ordered and laughed when he looked down at his phone. "My mum is so eager to see you. She gets so excited when she can help family out."

Family?

"I'm part of your family?"

He looked up and nodded slowly. "Yep. Sebastian is practically my brother and he's in love with you, which means he's not letting you go. So you're kinda stuck with all of us."

A feeling of warmth settled in my chest and it was like his smile was contagious because next thing I knew, I was smiling with him. "Well, I did promise Sebastian that I wouldn't be going anywhere."

James sobered up a little and wrung his hands together before placing his chin on top of them. "I feel like I need to thank you, Mira. I was so sure that Sebastian wasn't going to go through with treatment and although we were all getting through to him, you were exactly what we all needed to push him that little bit further. Ever since he met you he's become the Sebastian I grew up with, the one before Cade died." He blew out a breath and bit his lip as his eyes misted over with unshed tears. "Thank you for being there for him and being the woman he deserves."

It was hard not to stand up and kneel down to wrap my arms around him. It was rare that I saw James this vulnerable and it only showed just how much he loved Sebastian. Hell, it was showing me that I loved James.

"You don't have to thank me for doing what I was supposed to, James. I'll always be there for him." He tilted his head to look at me and a watery smile glossed his lips.

He then cleared his throat as I made my way back to my seat and shook his head. "Definitely didn't think I'd cry today." He paused as our food arrived and leaned back to allow the waitress to place his plate in front of him. "I guess Weston's funeral is off the table right now?"

I waited for a few moments before rolling my lips into my mouth. "Actually. I've been meaning to ask you something." I continued when he gave me the go-ahead. "How do you deal with it?"

James winced and I could practically see the cogs turning in his head as he tried to formulate a coherent sentence. "I've accepted that he's actually dead. No more trying to the numb the pain or being in denial that he's no longer with us. And I know that West wouldn't want me to fuck up my life grieving him, he was kinder than that."

I nodded and sighed. This week would be a long one.

"Mira, darling!" Caroline's voice sounded from the end of the foyer and her silk black hair flowed down her shoulders as she gracefully walked towards me in her heels. Even though it was the second time meeting her, her lips morphed into a welcoming smile and her posh British accent was strong, stronger than mine. "Let me take a good look at you."

Her hands settled on my shoulders and her eyes raked over my figure. A glint of inspiration flashed in her eyes and she nodded to herself. "Sebastian wasn't lying when he said you're in great shape — I have just the dress for you. Come with me, sweetheart."

She took my hands in hers and I took the silence as an opportunity to voice my gratitude. "Caroline, thank you for offering to help me. It means a lot."

Caroline threw me a glance over her shoulder and waved a hand in dismissal. "I'm a fashion designer, love. It's my job to make people look extraordinary. And as Sebastian is wearing one of my designs tonight, you'll be the talk of the night."

She walked us into a large room that had mannequins dressed in fashionable clothes, some completed and some unfinished. I looked around in awe. The room smelled like money. I was practically rich by association. "At a fundraiser?" I questioned, curious about why a hospital was throwing such an extravagant event.

"You'd be surprised, Mira." She released my hand and began looking for the dress. "Balls are business smart and bring in wealthy people just like Sebastian. But, it's all for a good cause so it's a good strategy. And lord knows the NHS needs more funding."

I nodded in agreement and held my breath when she unzipped the bag to uncover the dress she had planned for me. It was eloquent, regal even and my skin itched to have it on my body. It had to be the most beautiful dress I'd ever seen.

Caroline grinned pridefully. "That's right. I made this." She held it out to me and gestured towards the screen with a nod of her head. "Try it on! You've got to forgo the underwear for this one."

Taking the dress in my hands, anxiousness pooled in the pit of my stomach. I couldn't damage it in any way, it looked like it cost more than my life. I was tentative in my movements when slipping the dress on, successfully zipping it up myself. Of course, I needed to have the full look for the wow factor, but when I stepped out from behind the cover, Caroline clapped her hands.

"You look magnificent, sweetheart." She grinned widely and I flattened my hands against the material. "Spin around for me." She glanced at me in approval once I did so and clasped her hands together. "That dress was made for you. You wear it so well — it's yours."

I choked on my saliva. "What?" I spluttered, clutching at my chest. "Caroline, no, that's too kind."

"Nonsense! It's the least I can do for everything you've done for Sebastian." She smiled tenderly. "You've helped him let go of the guilt he was carrying because of my son and he's finally started seeing us again. James tells me it's because he's in a better place now and it started ever since you two met."

Was everyone thanking me today?

"Cade made his choice and whilst I hurt over the loss of my first child, Sebastian is like my son too, and when any of my children are in pain so am I." She diverted her gaze wistfully to the glass windows behind me. "It's yours. Please accept it."

I mulled over her proposition and felt my gaze soften when I glanced upon her again. Slowly, I nodded and offered a smile I hoped was comforting. "Okay. Thank you."

"You're absolutely welcome."

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

When the evening rolled around, I was finally ready and tightened the clasp around my heels. George kindly picked me up from my apartment and the car journey to Sebastian's office had been filled with light chat, mainly about his daughter Ayanna and her progress in ballet.

As he pulled up in the parking lot of Harrington Technologies, I touched up my makeup and slowly exited the car as gracefully as I could. As beautiful as the dress was, it was very restricting and proved that the infamous phrase 'beauty is pain' was entirely true.

George followed suit and closed the car door behind me, his green eyes looking towards the lift that would travel up to the highest floor where's Sebastian's office was. "Would you like me to escort you up?"

I looked my grip on my clutch and shook my head with a small smile. "That's okay." Since I knew Sebastian was in his suit, I wasn't entirely sure if I'd be able to keep my hands off him and that was something George didn't need to see.

I watched the numbers get higher as I stood in the lift and when I reached the top floor, I walked out quite nervously. I knew that I looked good, but I was nervous to see how Sebastian would react. He never failed to make me feel like the sexiest woman alive and the mere thought of last night lit me up like a firework.

Rachel, who was busy sorting through papers on her desk, looked up when she heard the clicking of my heels and rendered me with a kind smile. "You look stunning, Ms Casey." She nodded to the door. "Mr Harrington is just finishing up a call. I'll just let him know you're here."

Before she could, Sebastian's deep voice filtered through the door. "Send her in, Rachel!"

Here goes nothing.

I pressed my palms flat against the door and pushed it open gently. He stared at me in silence and a dark look flashed in his eyes before licked his lips and stood up slowly. He leisurely walked towards me, raking his eyes over my body appreciatively.

His teeth sunk into his bottom lip sexily and his hands curved over my hips, pulling me to him with almost inhuman force. I steadied myself with my hands on his chest and his fingertips gently pressed to my skin.

"You're a fucking masterpiece, Mira."

My lips tipped upwards into a sultry smile and his gaze immediately dropped to them. His grip on my hips tightened before he captured my lips with his in a deep kiss.

Sebastian's kisses were always encapsulating but something was different about this one. Fuelled by passion, he made me hyper-aware of his overwhelming presence and pressed me against the door. He groaned against my lips and let his tongue slip into my mouth, striking a chord of desire in me.

My hands splayed across his chest and I had to refrain from bunching up his shirt when he pressed his body against mine. I felt everything and gasped when he nipped at my bottom lip teasingly. His hands wrapped around my wrists and tightened almost painfully when he pinned them against the door.

Woah.

I tilted my head to the side to take a breather when Sebastian's nose brushed up the column of my neck until he laid a kiss on my cheek. "I've got to be the luckiest guy in the world." He breathlessly muttered against my hot skin and pulled back to meet my eyes.

He was so handsome.

His eyes dropped back to my lips and he emitted a short chuckle before bringing his thumb up to wipe my mouth. "There's your lipstick ruined — red is sexy on you."

I touched my lips self-consciously and then touched his that were lightly stained red. My cheeks were warm and if my skin tone wasn't able to hide the blush well, Sebastian would be able to see just how much he affected me.

He watched me silently as I reapplied my lipstick and then held his hand out to me. "Let's go."

George was waiting patiently when we made it to the parking lot in surprisingly one piece. The sexual tension between Sebastian and I was palpable and pulsed as strongly as my actual pulse did when he kissed me. And it continued that way until we reached the fundraiser.

Sebastian had his arm around my waist and greeted a few people he knew as I stood there appreciating the decor of the hall. Extravagant events never failed to leave me in awe and although I had always been stable in life, this was wealth on a different level.

It was filled with people, all dressed fancily and Sebastian pulled me to his side as his surgeon approached us. He placed a comforting hand on Sebastian's shoulder and smiled at me before turning back to my boyfriend.

"How are you doing, Sebastian?"

He grinned charmingly. "I've been doing great, doc. No fainting spells since the op."

The surgeon introduced himself to me as Will Daniels and took two champagne glasses from a server walking passed before offering it to me with a questioning glance. "Do you drink?"

I nodded and took the glass from him, glancing towards Sebastian who only chuckled. "Yes, no drinking. I'm aware. I've learnt how to stay away from alcohol when I needed to."

Will chuckled and nodded his head in agreement. "Have you met the new Consultant Surgeon? She started earlier this week." He looked around the hall and tried to locate her. "She's around here somewhere..."

I made eye contact with a man who was looking at Sebastian with possible intent to strike up a conversation. "Ten minutes."

He grinned lasciviously and linked his fingers with mine, pulling me down a hallway. He opened the first door on our left and scanned the room before pulling me in.

"With you dressed like this, I'm going to need more than ten minutes to appreciate you so," he pulled his phone out from his pocket and scrolled for a few seconds before light violin music played from the speaker. Setting it down on the table in the corner of the room, he walked back to me and held his hand out.

"Can I have this dance?" he asked softly, a loving look in his eyes as he gently pulled me to in once I laid my hand in his. My other hand rested on his shoulder and he peered down at me with a tender smile on his face.

"What?" I spoke quietly, swaying with him as I inspected his face.

"You're just—" he sighed and chuckled to himself. "I'm in love with you."

I rested my head on his shoulder and took in his addictive scent. "Yeah?"

I felt him nod. "It's hard not to be." He said softly, twirling me before pulling me back to his chest. "I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't met you. Thank God you're mine."

Smiling, I looked him in the eye and pressed a sweet kiss to his lips. And for the next nine minutes, everything around us faded away and I was sure we could've danced the entire night away.

But, the rising chatter from the main hall caught our attention and we begrudgingly made our way back. At the speaker's podium, a woman dressed in a deep teal dress settled her hands on the stand. The dress complimented her flaming red hair well and her fair skin glowed as she looked into the audience.

"Welcome everyone! Some of you may know me, some of you may not. My name is—"

"Serena," Sebastian whispered out in an incredulous tone. I glanced at him curiously and did a double-take when I saw the colour drain from his face. He looked like he'd seen a ghost and his grip on me loosened.

"Are you okay?" I questioned anxiously, turning in his arms to look at him properly. He had this haunted look in his eyes and it reminded me of the night I found out he was sick and went to his office. He seemed troubled and he couldn't take his eyes off the woman.

He tore his eyes away from her and released a shaky breath. "She was Cade's best friend." He had this distant look in his eye as he looked back up at her. "And my ex-girlfriend."