Author's note: Thanks for the reviews so far. I'm glad you guys are getting and enjoying my humor. I have kind of a weird sense of humor, so it's always a bit hit or miss. Thanks to usual suspects: Mofitiss, BBC, ACD, et al. In case you haven't noticed, the past few author notes have had unusual thanks. It's a little fun I'm having with myself and hopefully, you all. This chapter, I'm thanking my mom for breaking up my dad's first engagement, dating him, and marrying him. Without your man-stealing ways, Mom, I wouldn't be here, so here's to my mom, for being a naughty minx. Go Mom!

Chapter 10

Sebastian stared at himself in the bathroom mirror. "Heather and Jim!? What the hell? My little kitten and my boss? This was not going to end well. He's going to break her heart and she's going to come running to me and I'm going to be stuck in the middle. Plus, she's mine. My kitten. How dare Jim swoop in and steal her from me? He's going to hurt her. This is just a fling to him. He knows it. Mr. 'Sooooo Changeable' himself. Heather deserves better than that. She is a rare, priceless treasure. A princess. My princess. Why didn't I tell her how I felt when I had the chance? Stupid stupid stupid! She'll never go for me now," Sebastian silently berated himself. He finished washing his hands and headed out the door. "Here goes nothing," he thought to himself, plastering a mild smile on his face.

"Bash, are you all ready? Did you want to visit the gift shop or anything before we leave? Jim had wanted to swing by really quick before our next stop," asked Heather.

"Yeah, sounds good. Let's go," replied Sebastian.

Heather studied her friend for a moment. The trio entered the store and Jim and Heather walked over to the book area. While Jim started perusing the selection, Heather looked across the room to her friend. "Jim, Hun, I'm going over to where Bash is. Take your time. I'm just going to check on him quick."

Heather walked up behind her friend and slipped her hand around his waist. "Sebastian, are you okay? You seem … kind of out of it. Is there something you want to talk about?"

"Nope, I'm good. How are you and Jim?"

"Um, okay." Heather paused for a minute. "Bashie, are you upset because Jim and I are hitting it off so well?"

"No, you and Jim can do whatever you want. I'll just be over here on the sidelines like usual. Waiting, like normal." Sebastian walked away. Heather's heart sank. Somehow, she had hurt Sebastian deeply. She walked over to his new location. "Sebastian, honey, I've clearly upset you. I'm sorry. You are really important to me and I want to make this up to you. But I don't know what I did wrong. What happened? Please tell me. Are you mad because Jim and I are kissing? Or cause I didn't walk with you through the exhibit? Or I told you off about having no control over my romantic life? What did I do wrong? How can I make this up to you? I hate that you're mad at me."

"Heather, it's fine. Everything is fine. Jim looks lonely over there."

"No, Bash, you are obviously unhappy. So, no, everything is not fine. Please talk to me. In fact, hold on one minute."

Heather walked over to Jim. "Jim, Sebastian and I need to have a few minutes alone. There is a little alcove right outside the exit doors with some benches. We're going to be out there. Look around. Spend some time in here. There's some really cool, albeit, overpriced stuff here. Just come out when you are done. But give us at least 10 minutes alone, ok?" Jim nodded.

Heather walked back to Sebastian. "C'mon, we're going outside. We are going to have a talk and get this settled out one way or the other." Sebastian started to open his mouth to argue, but Heather cut him off, "Sebastian Augustus, don't argue with me. I'm very pretty and you always do what pretty girls tell you to do. It's the law!"

They walked through the exit and found a bench under a large oak tree. "Ok, what is going on? You have not been yourself since you left the bathroom. Did Mr. McBadTouch do something to you in there or is something else bothering you? Right now, I'm thinking it was the latter rather than the former," Heather said firmly. "Be honest with me now. What is bothering you?"

Sebastian was quiet for a moment. "You and Jim are not a good idea. Jim doesn't have long time girlfriends. He goes through women like most people go through toilet paper. He's just going to hurt you and I can't stand the thought of you getting hurt by anyone, even my boss. He'd kill me if he knew I was saying this to you, but you can't get involved with him. He's bad news, Heather. Bad news," blurted the man.

"Oh, honey! Bless your heart. That is so kind of you," Heather smiled and hugged her friend. "Jim and I … I don't know what we're doing. I'm horny as hell and he's cute and here and you know how weak I get around an Irish accent. I mean, c'mon, it's my number 1 IPR. I hear one and, boop, suddenly my panties are off and across the room. It's a weakness, I admit, but come on … if memory serves, it is a big reason you got in my dainties in the first place, so it kinda worked out well for you, right? There were other reasons too, but your accent really opened my legs to the possibility, if you will. And you know what, maybe a little bad boy is just what this doctor ordered right now. I kind of just feel like having a little fun for a change. But ultimately, here's the deal. If you truly want me to cool with Jim, if that is really what you feel is best, I will. I value our friendship and love you too much to risk losing you over a guy, especially a "good time" guy. All I ask, is that you think about it. Don't answer right now. Just spend the day or at least a few hours really thinking it over. Really make sure that that is really what you want me to do. It is a lot to ask, but I will do it for you. No regrets, no reservations, no holding it over your head in the future. You are that important to me."

"Wait, seriously. You would cut Jim off just like that if I asked you to?"

"Yeah, of course. I mean yeah, I'd love to get me some sweet sweet little Jim action, but you're my best friend and if it is really that big of a problem, I will stop it right here, right now! You're my guy! I need you in my life more than I need penetrative sex. After all, vibrators do exist, so if all fails I do have that. But I thought you already knew you meant that much to me. You didn't? I'm sorry for that too. You're my family. You're better than a big brother. You're my Bashie-bear. You're my world, dude! When something is happening in my life, the first person I want to tell is you. Good, bad, in between. It doesn't matter. You're who I call first. You're my guy, plain and simple. If you were a little easier to get ahold of, you would be my emergency contact, not my mom. You are already the main beneficiary for my life insurance. If I kick it, you get everything, including the cats, after all the bills are paid. My memorial service and cremation and all that are already set up and paid for. My lawyer has all the info and has strict instructions to release everything to you, not my parents. They don't know that, but it's true. You are that important to me. Cutting off some guy because you don't like him is nothing compared to our friendship. Guys come and go, but my Basher stays forever. That's why last night when I thought for a minute that Jim had ordered you to kill me, yeah, I was scared, but I knew that you would do in the least painful way you knew how. I trust you even with my death." By this point, Heather had started to tear up. She wasn't this open and raw on a regular basis and it made her feel a little anxious to be so.

Sebastian stared at Heather. Her admissions shocked him. He never knew that he was such an influential figure in her life. Was it possible that she loved him, like romantically? Maybe she did. After all, she was willing to give up sex for him. You don't just do that for a friend. And what was all this about her memorial service and being the beneficiary on her insurance? She trusted him to kill her. He knew he could never do it, but still, she trusted him to KILL her! Her absolute faith in him astounded and humbled him. He reached over to hug her, as his mind reeled. "Should I make a move on her? Maybe try a small kiss. See where it goes. Where is Jim? I wish I knew when he was coming out. What would happen if Jim caught them kissing? Jim is very competitive. Hell, Jim is the most competitive person I know. I'd be out of a job. Which means I'd be dead soon after. But what about Heather? Would he kill her too? Probably," mused Sebastian silently. "No, I have to do this. Fortune favors the brave, right?"

"Heather …" Sebastian reached down and cradled Heather's face tenderly in his hands. "There's something I need to tell you. I …"

Note: IPR is short for "Instant Panty Remover." It's a fun little term I heard several years ago that describes something that basically turns a "no" to a "yes." Highly inappropriate, but everyone has one. In my case, a nice butt and a beautiful pair of eyes are two of my IPRs. My husband has both. (I love you, honey.)