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Chapter 1 ~

Taylor stirred as theinto the predawn gloolow of the alarm clock caone for over twelve hours She tried not to think of what he , but the darkness, the connotation of his job would always be there There was no going back She couldn’t erase the things she knew The man she loved was a ruthless killer

Sebastian’s lean body shuddered with exhaustion as he lay down and drew the blankets up to his chin Unable to help herself, she rolled over and cuddled against his side in search of heat and reassurance The fresh, woodsy s with the drying reainst his chest, she breathed the scent of him in and traced the rippled lines of his abdomen His jaw stretched on a violent yawn, and he buried his face in her hair

“Met some sleep”

She fought the urge to bat at his arm for the presumption Instead, she propped her chin on her hand and peered down at hi to seduce you?”

He slimpse of the dimples she loved so much His eyes remained closed as he spoke “Don’t play coy, sweetheart You and I both knohat a shameless little minx you can be”

“Youthe hard swell of his chest Sebastian shook with a quiet huh nearly enough

“And I will gladly take the credit Go back to sleep, Taylor”

Notinto his voice, she burrowed beneath the cohtened around her He rubbed her back until the fatigue became too much and he finally drifted to sleep Lulled by the even rise and fall of his chest and the content him near, she wasn’t far behind

Bright sunlight spilled through the wall of bay s lining the rear of the house It glistened off the fresh blanket of snow, and the crystals cast the illusion of tiny dia bacon blended with the throaty purr of her voice as Taylor sang along with the radio, her body grooving to the bluesy beat Her lanced toward the stairs, praying the smell wouldn’t wake Sebastian Hopefully a late breakfast in bed would start his day off right He’d had such a long night Pouring a cup of coffee, she added it to the tray and checked the crea his plate in an artful spread, she headed for the stairs If only the crew at the truck stop diner could see her now

She balanced the tray on her hip and eased open the bedroom doors A wistful smile played on her lips as she watched Sebastian sleep He looked so co-sized bed, so at peace She hated to wake hi past noon, no matter how late he’d worked The plush black and silver coainst the sheets as he stirred Confusion knitting his brow, he scented the air Turning his head, he slit one eye open and a lazy grin lit his face

“What’s this?” he asked his voice still husky and thick with the weight of slumber

She knelt carefully on the edge of the mattress and settled the tray on his lap after he’d propped hiainst the pillows His sandy curls were a delicious h them and add to their wild tousle That could wait until he was a little more awake

“This is a special wake up for my super sexy man,” she purred

Sebastian’s pale sage eyes sparkled as they swung up from the tray tothe raspy notes of his voice “Hm Breakfast in bed with the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, what more could a man ask for?”

Taylor snorted with as, I’m sure”

One corner of his ht and Sebastian nodded “Youfor her

Strong fingers threaded through her hair andher down She steadied the tray as Sebastian caught her lips in a s kiss His mouth plied hers with tender passion until desire broke, ainst the inside of her thighs Her hand shook, and the telltale rattle of the cup against the saucer drew an amused sound from his chest

“Don’t spillher with a wink “Neither one of us would like what happened if I got burned”

Taylor’s cheeks colored with the gentle ad the definition in his lean forine ould, but you have to admit, that would’ve been your fault”

Popping a piece of bacon in his mouth, he chewed and arched a tawny brow in her direction “Do I, now?” he asked “You’d expectthe tray?”

Taylor stretched out beside him and accepted the bite of stuffed French toast he offered on the end of his fork “You were the oneme shake”

“Twisted logic won’t save you, sweetheart Not from me”

“I know” Biting her lip, she lowered her head “It’s snowing outside”

His green eyes danced as he tipped her chin up with his finger “Is this your way of trying to change the subject?”

“Yes,” she admitted quietly

Sebastian laughed and let his head fall back against the pillows “I really don’t knohat to rin, he tore off a piece of bacon and fed it to her “All right, darling, you win”

Taylor’s laughter rang over his “Well, that’s a first”

His smile deepened

“It ht be a last, too, so I’d enjoy it if I were you”

The doorbell interrupted their playful banter Sebastian’s brow furrowed All traces of his boyish grin faded beneath a blackened scowl Growling, he set the tray aside and tossed the blankets back as he surged to his feet A few seconds later, he ree dark jeans and a soft grey sweater Taylor could still remember the first time she’d seen that closet and how she’d been bloay and a bit embarrassed that most of her apartment could’ve fit inside the vast space She turned her attention to the present and grappled with a wave of disappointment Interruptions were all too common anymore

“Do you want et the door so you can at least eat your food while it’s hot?” she asked

“No, baby I’m sorry about this Go ahead and carry breakfast down I’ll be right with you”

Taylor waited until he’d left the roo her head, she stood and grabbed the serving tray Making a ently winding staircase A cold gust of air swept past her carrying in the fresh scent of winter and sunshine Not wanting Sebastian’s food to get cold, she picked up the pace and cursed the stupidity of not using the steps that emptied into the kitchen

As usual, curiosity had gotten the better of her

She froze at the bottouard standing in the foyer A deep brown stare locked with hers over Sebastian’s shoulder A brief s their head of security’s weathered features

“Good afternoon, Miss McAvay,” he greeted, giving a friendly nod in her direction

“Good afternoon, sir”

Her expression faltered as Sebastian whirled to confront her She took a hasty step back upon seeing the glint of warning in his eyes Not needing to be told, she ducked her head and hurried toward the back of the house into the kitchen The soft rasp of his voice trailed after her