The thought of him holding me so close. Caressing me. Protecting me. Worshipping at my feet.
Okay, enough, Nora. He’s pretending to attack you, not fondle you.
“You’re not moving. Why are you not moving?” Sebastian asked, his voice low.
I snapped out of my daydream and stepped on his foot. He loosened his hold, and I elbowed him in the stomach.
He grunted but didn’t let go. “Nice try, but you’re too small and weak for a move like that.”
Small and weak? Really? I lifted my foot again and kicked his shin with my heel. It helped that I was wearing wedges, and they dug right in.
This time his hold went slack, and I dropped down and turned around to knee him in the balls. He went down with a loud groan.
I stood over him with my hands on my hips, smirking and not feeling an ounce of remorse. “Small and weak enough for you?”
The kids came running when they saw Sebastian on the ground, and we all watched him as he lay on the grass, curled into a ball. Guess I hit him harder than I meant to. Whoops.
“Is his tummy hurting?” Luca asked.
Lena leaned down and patted his arm. “Seb sleepy?”
“He’ll be fine,” I told them. “Let’s get you guys ready for Stella.”
Stella had become one of my closest friends in the last year. We met in the apartment building where I used to live and had an instant connection. She lived there for a short while in her friend Willa’s apartment.
Sebastian heaved himself back up, swaying on his feet. I didn’t think I could stop him from toppling over if he couldn’t stand up on his own.
He was a six-foot-three giant, and I was a five-foot-two shortcake.
My dad was Swedish and huge. The only thing I’d inherited from him were his green eyes. I only knew a few Swedish words; my favorite was Sötnos, a term of endearment he used to call me, the direct translation of which was “sweet nose.” I got my height and looks from my Japanese mom. She never taught me a word of Japanese and refused to teach me anything about Japanese culture, except how to cook traditional food.
I never understood why tradition wasn’t important to either of them. They also didn’t care much about family and disowned me when they found out I was pregnant with Luca.
I hadn’t heard from them since they told me I had to choose between family or the baby. I obviously chose the baby.
Sebastian stayed on his feet and shot daggers at me when he limped past me. I rushed the kids inside behind him, running late as usual. Stella would be here soon.
The kids adored Stella, and the feeling was mutual. She was their fun aunt who provided endless entertainment.
We ate dinner, Sebastian having three servings and not saying a word the whole time we sat at the table. Afterward, the kids asked a million questions why Sebastian was staying over before finally having their bath. I was terrible at making things up so all I told them was that he was a friend who would be sleeping on our couch.
A knock on the door made me smile, and then a key turned in the lock. Stella walked inside, greeting me with a hug.
She froze when she embraced me, and I leaned back to see what was going on. Her eyes were stuck to a spot behind me, and I released her and turned. Sebastian was standing there with a scowl on his face.
“Does she always just walk inside?” he asked, nodding at Stella.
“She’s got a key. So yes,” I answered, daring him to continue arguing with me.
Sebastian narrowed his eyes, and I ignored him. I had to get changed or I’d be late again.
“Stella, this is my new roommate, Sebastian. Sebastian, this is one of my best friends, Stella. She watches the kids for me when I have to work.”
The kids raced up to Stella to greet her like they hadn’t seen her in weeks, and I went in search of my shoes and bag.
When I came back a few minutes later, Stella was waiting for me.
“Who is Sebastian, and why is he staying with you?” she asked, arms crossed over her chest, her foot tapping impatiently.
“He’s just a friend who needed a place to stay. And I’m late for work,” I said, wanting to avoid an inquisition but was also running late. “We’ll talk later, okay?”
“Fine,” she huffed.
I shot her a grateful smile and put my shoes on.
“I’m ready,” I said, walking up to Sebastian.
The kids squeezed in next to Stella, who had taken a seat on the couch.
“We’re running late,” he said. He didn’t really look put out by it, making it sound more like an observation than an accusation.
“We’re taking the bike. I’m not trying to fold myself into your car again,” Sebastian said when we were outside after I said goodbye to the kids and Stella.
“Where did the bike come from?” I asked, frowning at the shiny motorcycle sitting in my driveway behind my rusty car.
“Chains dropped it off when he picked up his bike. Now get on.”
He held out a purple helmet that I refused to take. “No way am I getting on that death trap. I have kids to live for. And maybe one day I’ll be rich enough to find out what lobster tastes like. I’m not ready to die before that happens.”
“Put on the helmet,” Sebastian instructed, not impressed.
I nearly burst out laughing at the sight of him dangling the girly helmet in front of me. I wondered where he’d gotten one in my size from this quickly. And a purple one at that. I had to admit, if I had to wear any helmet, I’d choose one just like it.
I crossed my arms over my chest and shook my head. “No way.”
“I see you once again choose the hard way.”
He put the helmet on my head himself and had it
