I’m about to say, ‘Don’t bother’, and hang up.
But then he says abruptly, ‘Be there in two.’
26
SEBASTIAN
‘Thisisanemergency,’I tell the Care Bear, who I’ve named George and propped up against the ghost chilli oil on my nightstand. ‘I can’t stay and watchNotting Hillwith you.My girl needs me.’
Hastily turning off the strictly-forbidden-by-Lucifer romcom I’ve been watching, I don’t even bother to get changed out of my red silk robe. I snap my fingers and zoom off to the 1980s.
I land on Jade’s bed with a soft bounce and a smirk. ‘Now what’s all this—’
Before I can finish my sentence, I’m whacked in the face with a pillow. It’s a good blow. I’m knocked sideways, legs sprawling. Then another lands with more force. Shit. Jade’s going ballistic on me. Beating me with her pillow.
My first thought is to hold the edges of my robe together so my dick isn’t visible. I’m not shy, of course, but I don’t particularly want my cock and balls on show while I’m receiving a pillow bashing. A devil has to keep some remnants of self-dignity after all.
I lie there and let Jade get it out of her system. It doesn’t hurt, but it is a bit confusing. From her tone, I thought she was upset and needed a cuddle, but it turns out she’s fucking pissed at me.
Finally, she chucks the pillow aside and stands there, panting, while I prop myself on one elbow and rake my hair back into place.
‘Finished?’ I drawl. ‘Or are you gearing up for round 2 of the Pillow Bashing Championships?’
Jade’s lips tighten. ‘Fuck you, Sebastian!’ she hisses.
I look at her more closely, and underneath the simmering anger is a lot of upset. And recent tears. I gulp. That’s not good.
‘Sit down, and let’s have a chat,’ I say, patting the duvet.
Jade runs her eyes over my robe, which is displaying quite a lot of muscular tanned thigh.
‘Maybe put some clothes on first,’ she suggests.
‘Sure.’ I nod. ‘I came quickly.’ Jade winces at my choice of words. ‘I mean, I wanted to get here asap as it sounded urgent, and I didn’t have time to change.’
I snap my fingers, and Jade jerks back, looking shocked. But I think my tight leopard-print leather pants, black mesh shirt, and fingerless gloves are rather fetching. I gingerly touch the top of my mile-high teased hair.
Jade’s mouth quirks. ‘That’s very you.’
Seeing she’s on the verge of laughing out loud, I snap my fingers again.
‘Oh my god,’ she chokes out, taking in my neon-pink leotard, shiny turquoise leggings, and pink-and-white leg warmers pulled up to my knees. I’ve also got matching sweatbands on my wrists and forehead. A red Walkman is clipped to my belt. I put the orange headphones on and extend my leg up and down in the air.
‘Jazzercise, anyone?’ I purr.
Jade gurgles, her gaze riveted to my crotch, which, admittedly, isn’t containing my package that well. Hmm, perhaps it’s best not to do any pelvic thrusts!
But at least she’s smiling. I snap my fingers again and appear in a pastel-blue blazer with the sleeves pushed up and a pale pink T-shirt tucked into white Levi’s with rolled cuffs. My feet are bare. I look like I’ve been strolling along a beach on the set ofMiami Vice. Tousling my hair, I peer at Jade over my black Ray-Bans. ‘Better?’
Jade bites her lip, checking me out, and I can tell she thinks I’m hot. Her cheeks are turning a delightful shade of rose. ‘Yes, way better than the Jane Fonda look,’ she says after a pause. ‘That tight leotard was seriously disturbing.’
I place the shades on the nightstand and pat the side of the bed. ‘Bring that pretty little booty over here and tell Uncle Seb all about what’s bothering you.’
Jade huffs a laugh and perches on the end of the bed, well away from where my hands are aching to touch her. Instead, I rest my big toe gingerly against the small of her back, where she can’t feel it. ‘Uncle Seb? Still calling yourself that? Really?’ she says.
‘I suppose it is a bit creepy since we’ve fucked—’
Jade’s jaw clenches.