Chapter 16 - The Confession
Sebastian dropped his hand, leaning heavily on his cane, averting his eyes. "This world... my world... is violent, Claire. You saw it. I don't want that for you or the boy."
"I survived landlords, medical bills, and a kidnapping," Claire challenged, taking a step closer to him. "You think I'm afraid of your world?"
"You should be."
"I'm not," she said softly. "I'm afraid of leaving and wondering if you're pushing yourself too hard. I'm afraid of not being here to catch you when you fall."
Sebastian looked at her, his dark eyes vulnerable. "I will fall. A lot."
"Then I'll just have to keep picking you up," she whispered.
She closed the distance between them. Sebastian dropped his cane. It clattered to the hardwood floor. He wrapped his massive arms around her waist to keep his balance, pulling her flush against his body.
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When his lips met hers, it wasn't a gentle kiss. It was desperate, consuming, twenty years of locked-away passion breaking free all at once. Claire met his fire, wrapping her hands in his dark hair, pulling him deeper.
For the first time in his life, Sebastian Lombardi didn't feel broken. He felt whole.
