Kawaii-Cherri: I wish I had more time to write to be honest. At the moment, my days are, get up at 5am, work at 6 till 6, home by 6.30, dinner, shower, morning prep, bed! I do love bed! I'm glad to hear that the end of your year was a good one! I'm hoping this chapter has enough spice to tide you over. The burn be sloooow. I'm sorry!

Chapter Thirty: Like a prayer

Sebastian sat at his desk, looking out his window. He had found his mind wandering off while he was trying to work. It was hard to focus seeing as his memory kept trailing back to the night before. While he had indeed joined Elspeth in bed, they certainly hadn't slept; they had taken time to simply explore one another without pressure. Once she was sure that his mind wasn't being addled by his… instincts, they proceeded to have a memorable experience.

'Are you sure about this, Elsie?' Sebastian said, worried that she was attempting to… somehow appease him, so he didn't feel so guilty about his earlier behaviour. Elspeth had led him to her bedroom where she then spun on her foot to face him. She pulled on his hand, yanking him into her personal space. Silencing his train of thought, she stood on her tiptoes, catching his bottom lip with her teeth. His pulse shot up as desire flooded through him once more, Sebastian couldn't help the moan that reverberated through his chest, deep and primordial. He could feel Elspeth smile at his reaction.

She felt Sebastian half lift her up, her playful bite evolving into something heavier as he crushed lips against his own. 'Oh, Yoba,' Elspeth mewled through the kiss, only encouraging Sebastian further.

His hand trailed up, underneath her top; his fingertips brushing the underside of her bra. Her skin felt like satin against his palm, the musk of her perfume mixed with her natural scent. It was a combination that made his mind swim, his heart raced as she pressed herself against his touch. He could hear her breathing heavily with every caress of his fingers, the slight undertone of her moan in delight which made his blood pound in his ears-

'Stop it,' he said to himself, groaning at the memory. Shaking his head, he looked back at his computer screen and the lines of code that were written across it. 'Fuck,' he moaned, he simply couldn't make his mind follow the correct train of thought. His eyes trailed over to his corkboard where he had pinned all the sticky notes that Elspeth had left him. Whenever she was in his room, she mentioned throwing them out but he wouldn't hear it. They made him smile every time he looked at them. He rubbed his eyes and tried to focus but it was no good. He could replay each moment of last night in his mind as clear as day as if it was happening at that second.

They had tumbled onto the bed, too absorbed in one another to notice that they had knocked several things off her bedside table. 'Adore me,' Elspeth whispered in his ear, her nails raking up his spine, making his toes curl as he devoured her mouth with his.

Sebastian chuckled, 'you know that I do,' he said, feeling a shiver run through him.

Elspeth smiled and nipped his lip. 'I want you to show me,' she murmured, moving around in the bed, and taking off her top. Sebastian's eyes widened and he stared at her, while she unabashedly revelled in his gaze.

His eyes darted over her chest, the underwear that she wore was the same that she had previously teased him with. Mentally, he traced the emerald lace that wound around her chest and cupped her breasts. Sebastian's mouth went dry and he realised that his was way out of his depth. He hadn't ever been in this situation before, and his nerves were fighting through his hormones.

'Ssshh,' Elspeth leaned forward and placed a finger gently against his lips, before holding his chin gently; her thumb brushing against his lip ring. 'Don't think, Sebastian,' she said, her voice sultry. The way she spoke his name caused his breath to hitch in his throat. 'Show me,' she repeated, taking his hand, and drawing his fingertips across her stomach to her waist. Sebastian sat up, pulling her closer, his nails digging into her back, causing her to jolt into his embrace. An enticing gasp broke from her lips-

'Shit!' Sebastian said as he stood up, abruptly. It wasn't that he regretted anything about the night before, it was simply that he couldn't think of anything else. 'I need a coffee,' he said to the world in general and rubbed his face. Wandering through to the kitchen, he greeted Buddy with a scratch behind the ear. 'Hey, Buddy,' he said, conversationally. 'Are you alright?' He asked as he looked in the cupboard for the dog biscuits. After managing to find the tub, he pulled one out and tossed it to the waiting hound. 'Good boy,' he praised, watching Buddy catch it out the air. 'You're not distracted by women, huh, mate?' He chuckled, feeling slightly envious.

He sighed and clicked the coffee machine on, 'it's not your fault,' he said, feeling better as he spoke to the dog. 'Your owner has gotten my head all in a mess,' he chuckled and leaned against the kitchen counter. Buddy completely ignored him and continued to crunch down on the hardy biscuit that he had been awarded. 'I can't think straight. She's on my mind all the time,' he mused, waiting for the machine to be done. 'My… girlfriend,' he said, amazed at the words. Treacherously, his mind wandered once more…

'-Sebastian!' Elspeth moaned, arching her back into his touch. More clothing had been discarded and carelessly thrown to the side. The contrast of Elspeth's body heat compared to Sebastian's caused goosebumps to rise over Elspeth's skin. 'Please,' she breathed heavily. He had lavished her with attention, taking his time and making sure to memorise every moment, every sound, the way her pulse fluttered under his lips as he bit her neck. 'Let me-'

He chuckled and grabbed her hand that trailed down his hip. Sebastian pulled her arm above her head, pinning it against the pillow. 'I'm not finished,' he said, firmly. Her legs writhed in impatience as he held her down.

She pouted and her eyes glittered in the low light, her cheeks were flushed and there was a light shimmer of perspiration across her skin. 'You've not let me touch you, yet,' she whispered. 'I want to make you feel good-' Sebastian cut off her sentence as he leaned down and took her nipple into his mouth, nipping gently and teasing the sensitive bud with his tongue. Taking his time, he enjoyed the smell of her perfume and the deeper scent of her desire. He looked up at her, feeling her breathe heavily under him.

'Right now, if I allow you to touch me, I will not be able to control myself,' he admitted. 'I want you, Elspeth. More than I can say,' he added, moving closer once more and catching her lips with his. Their tongues move together, the alcohol from earlier that evening was merely a lingering hint. 'I wish to simply adore you,' he moans through their kiss. 'Allow me…'

There was a knock at the door and it knocked him out of the memory he was happily dwelling in. Sebastian raised a brow, 'who's that?' He asked. Buddy wasn't bothered and so Sebastian pulled his gloves out his pocket and walked over, pulling them on before opening the door. 'Oh. Abigail,' he said, surprised. 'What are you doing here?' Sebastian asked.

Abigail stood on the porch, looking very pretty with her hair curled around her bare shoulders. She wore a corset and thigh-cut skirt with her classic boots. 'Can I not visit a friend?' She said, simply. 'It's been so long since we've hung out. I know you're living with Elspeth,' Abigail said a little bitterly. 'Doesn't mean I can't see you, right?'

'Uh, sure, I guess,' he said, a little confused by her tone but stepped aside. 'You've not really been bothered to hang out since that whole, uh, miscommunication mess,' he said, thinking about the weird way that she's been acting since asking him out.

Abigail gave him the look he was used to, which was condescending. 'It doesn't matter about that,' she says.

Whatever, he thought. I can spare half an hour and hopefully sort out whatever the fuck is going on with her. 'Do you want a drink?' He asked, mentally making note of things that he had touched. It would be fine unless Abigail went into his room, though there would be no need for her to be in there.

'Yes, please. You know what I like,' she said as she followed him in and shut the door behind her. She looked around the room, noticing the slight change in décor here and there. Sebastian's clothes were drying on the rack and personal items on the coffee table. 'Where is she, then?'

Sebastian finished making his coffee and had to rack his brain for what Abigail would want. 'Uh, a latte?' He asked, seeing her nod. He put the pod into the machine and clicked the button. 'Elsie? She's outside, I think. She tends to her animals in the morning and at this time,' he said as he checked his phone, smiling to himself at the background. 'She'll be tending to her flowers and crops and things,' he mused.

'Sounds fun,' Abigail said, sarcastically as she sat on the edge of the kitchen table. Sebastian raised a brow at her actions but didn't say anything, he knew what she was like. Abigail sniffed and crossed her legs, adjusting her skirt. 'So, you're now living with Elspeth?' She inquired.

He nodded, 'yeah,' he said as he picked up her mug, the coffee machine having done its work. Carrying it carefully, he brought it over to the kitchen table and placed it next to her. Abigail reached out with her hand, towards his face and he jolted aside, almost spilling the coffee. 'Don't,' he snapped, warily looking at her. 'Abi. Don't touch me,' he said, firmly.

'Why not? She said, raising a brow. 'You seem totally fine with Elspeth touching you,' she pointed out. 'She certainly didn't refrain from it last night.'

The memories flashed through his mind and Sebastian stepped back from Abigail. 'Elsie… is different,' he said, Yoba, Elsie is… perfection, he thought, remembering the scent of her desire. He didn't like Abigail's tone and felt a little awkward with this impromptu visit, though he didn't let his expression show it. 'She has my permission and understands my boundaries.'

Abigail rolled her eyes, 'yeah, yeah, Elspeth is amazing. I keep hearing that,' she muttered. 'Thing is though, bit weird isn't it? Moving in with her,' Abigail said, nonchalantly.

'Why?' Sebastian asked, giving her look. 'I'm renting a room from her.'

She sneered and lifted her mug, taking a sip of the coffee. 'It's not like you're dating,' she stated.

'Aren't we?' Sebastian replied, simply, not caring what she thought,

Abigail narrowed her eyes, choosing to ignore his comment. She couldn't see a bouquet anywhere and she would have heard from her father if Sebastian had bought one. 'I thought you wanted to move to the city. To simply move down the road, into a… farm… seems a little strange,' she muses.

He shrugged a shoulder. 'I suppose. I like it here though,' he said, honestly. He picked up his own drink and took a sip. 'So, what's going on? You don't normally come over, unless you want something,' he said. Fuck, he thought. He hadn't meant to say that out loud.

She scoffed and gave him a look, 'you rejected me,' she said, simply. 'I wanted to find out why. Is it to do with Elspeth?' She said, daring him not to answer. 'I think I deserve an answer.'

Sebastian shrugged his shoulders. 'My answer was no, Abi. That's clear, through and through. I'm sorry, but I really don't need to give you more of an explanation than that,' he said, putting his coffee down. 'If that's all you came over for, you have your answer.'

With a hop, she got off the table and walked over to him. 'That's not an answer,' she said.

'Yes, it is,' Sebastian stated, getting annoyed with her. ''No' is a complete sentence.' Abigail wasn't having any of it and pushed him against the kitchen side. Sebastian raised his hands and leaned back. 'Abigail. I'm warning you. Move away, or I'm going to have to do something to move you,' he stated, feeling a wave of anger run over him. 'I'm going to give you to the count of three,' he said as he gave her a stern look.

'Seb-'

'One,' he stated, flatly.

'Stop this,' Abigail said as she ran her hands up his chest.

The fear and anxiety that shot through him like a bullet with her touch. Sebastian leaned further back, aware of his neck and face. 'Two,' he said placing his gloved hands on her shoulders. 'I will not hesitate to remove you,' he said, bluntly, as he glared at her. Abigail merely grinned at him and he scowled. 'Thre-'

His words were cut off. Abigail stood up on her tiptoes, pulling him down by the back of the head as she roughly kissed him. Sebastian froze, not quite realising what was going on. The feeling was strange and only induced panic. Abigail was kissing him. He yelped and shoved Abigail back from him, rather harshly.

Abigail looked confused. 'What's the matter?' She asked, moving closer.

Reaching up with his fingers, he touched his lips and looked back at her. 'Why did you-?'

'Sssshh,' she whispered as she stepped closer once again.

He breathed heavily; his eyes wide. 'What… what's going on?' He babbled. He stared at Abigail in horror. 'Im..Immune,' he stuttered. 'Oh, Yoba,' he said in an exhale. His heart sped up, almost pounding against his ribs painfully.

'Just relax, Seb,' Abigail said, trying to pull him close once again, her fingers holding tightly onto his clothing.

Sebastian shook his head, 'no… no… no!' He said in quick succession. 'No!' He literally slapped her grasping hands away from him. 'Stop it, don't touch me!' He pushed her away again, even harder and sending her into the table. The mug of coffee tips over and shatters onto the floor. Buddy whined from his bed and lowered his ears, the tension in the room clear.

She let out a small grunt as she hit the table and then glares at him. 'You're being weird,' Abigail said, annoyed. 'Why are you being weird about this?' She stood up straight and flicked her hair over her shoulder. 'We're literally made for one another, why are you acting like such a prat?' She scolded, closing the distance.

Sebastian dodged out her grasp, his eyes wide as he stared at her. 'I don't get it,' he said, his mind reeling and heart racing. The taste on his mouth was different and he hated it. 'Don't! Stop!' He snapped again, he didn't hesitate to shove her aside when she broached his personal space. He shook his head before he strode around the table, practically running out of the house. 'Elsie!' He shouted as he ran onto the porch, Abigail and Buddy following him.

'Why the fuck are you calling for her?' Abigail almost screeched at him.

He could hear Elspeth's singing and he ran towards it, panic rising in his throat. Immune? She's fucking immune? Typical, he thought in desperation. Though I suppose that's better than the actual reaction I thought would have happened. The last thing I needed was to paralyse another person. Especially, Abigail. Fuck knows what she would do with that information.

'Bazz?' Elspeth called out, having heard someone shouting for her. She was using the hose to spray her flowerbed. She spotted Sebastian running towards her, from around the side of the house. 'What's the matter?'

'Immune!' He blurted out, almost running behind her. He grabbed her by the shoulders and Elspeth noticed the lipstick on his mouth. 'S-She's immune,' he stuttered in a whisper. 'She… she…' Sebastian was clearly having a bit of a moment and Elspeth frowned at his lost demeanour. Buddy ran over and bounced around them both, before being distracted by the hose, and snapping at the water that was spraying out.

'What the hell is that?' She said as she reached up, releasing the trigger on hose and stopping the flow of water; much to Buddy's disappointment. She touched the colour that was smeared on his lips and then spotted Abigail, who was following.

'Oh, of course, he came running to you,' Abigail snarled, rolling her eyes. 'Yoba, you're a fucking stain on my life. You infect everything! Ever since you turned up in this village, you've been nothing but a pain in my ar-'

'Is this your lipstick?' Elspeth snapped at her, looking at the makeup on her fingers. 'Even though you know he hates to be touched?!' She added, furious, almost physically shaking with supressed rage. She put two and two together, understanding what Sebastian meant by "immune". Fucking typical, Elspeth thought, her annoyance clear on her face. She could feel her pulse rocket as she tried to stifle her anger.

Sebastian wiped his mouth, 'she kissed me,' he said, quietly, trying not to keep calm and not reveal how upset he was. 'I just thought she wanted to talk, and then she wouldn't leave,' he added. 'I'm sorry-'

Elspeth held up a hand, catching the glare from Abigail. She silenced Sebastian with the motion and gave him a look of assurance, 'it's okay. I understand,' she said softly, not wanting to hear an apology or excuse from him. It wasn't needed. This wasn't his fault at all. Turning back to Abigail, she frowned. 'What gives you the right to think it's okay to kiss him?'

'I can kiss whoever I want. I certainly don't need your permission!' Abigail hissed.

'But you do need the other person's consent!' Elspeth snapped back at her. 'Did you have that?'

Abigail snarled, and wore an expression of disgust. Her posture was defensive and aggravated, 'ugh! Why don't you fuck off, Elspeth? Yoba, you're so high and mighty,' she said with venom, as she shook her head. 'Stop acting like you know everything, you're acting like you have the right to speak for him-'

'You're the one acting like you have the right to make his decisions!' Elspeth hissed. 'You kissed him, Abigail! When he didn't want you to even touch him! When he had already said, no!'

'And then he comes running to hide behind you. Like a pussy,' Abigail sneered. 'What I ever saw in him to begin with-'

Abigail is silenced as Elspeth unleashes the full force of the hose on her. Buddy jumps through the stream briefly as Abigail flounders, and sputters as the water drowns her; soaking her completely from head to toe. The pressure pushed her back to the floor as she slipped onto the wooden decking. 'Perhaps that'll cool you off, skank,' Elspeth said, pointedly, looking down at Abigail who coughed and struggled to get up. Elspeth squirted her once again with hose, not giving her an inch. The young woman flailed, slipping on the wet wood. Elspeth smiled in satisfaction, turning off the hose. 'Perhaps the reason he feels the need to ask for help is because you seem to constantly have water in your ears. Not being able to hear anything anyone says, that is,' Elspeth said, nastily.

Finally, Abigail splutters and wipes her eyes, streaking her eyeliner across her face. 'Bitch!' She spat.

'Oh, nooo,' Elspeth replied, sarcastically. 'Get off of our property.'

Sebastian had been silent almost the entire time, in shock and worry. Elspeth had actually handled it better than what he thought, and he was glad that she didn't blame him in any way. He was shaking, completely rocked to his core, and he didn't know how to process any of it. Elspeth stood in front of him, her small frame almost vibrating in anger. Abigail got to her feet and spat at Elspeth, who raised the hose once again in a threatening manner.

'Try me,' Elspeth hissed. 'If you're not gone in the next ten seconds, I'll set my dog on you.' Buddy stopped licking up the puddles of water on the decking when he heard Elspeth's tone.

Abigail glared at Elspeth, and then looked at Sebastian. 'Fine. Have my leftovers,' she said, attempting to gain some dignity. 'I don't care anymore,' she said, cruelly, as she began to back away.

Elspeth snorted, 'keep telling yourself that, bitch. Whatever takes the sting out of it,' Elspeth said with a wink.

Abigail looked at Sebastian as she stepped backwards, perhaps hoping for Sebastian to show some expression of her defence. Before Abigail even opened her mouth, Sebastian placed his hands on Elspeth's shoulders and glared at her. 'I was never yours, Abigail,' he stated.

Her facial features hardened and her mouth thinned. 'Fuck off, Seb. You didn't really ever have a chance. I was just taking pity on you-'

'I don't want you, Abigail,' Sebastian said, flatly. Almost angry. He looked at Elspeth, his gaze softening, 'I want Elsie. I choose Elsie and she chooses me. She's my girlfriend and… I adore her.'

Both women looked at him in surprise. Elspeth then looked at Abigail, pretty smug. I wasn't expecting him to say that to her. Well, I guess the cat is out the bag, Elspeth thought, a smile playing on her lips. 'You heard him. Can't confuse that for anything else, can you?' Elspeth said to Abigail, bluntly. 'Oh!' Elspeth added. 'And, by my count, that's ten seconds.'

'Elsie-' Sebastian began but Elspeth had already whistled for Buddy, who bounced up next to her in glee at his owner's call. Abigail paled and began to step back quickly as Buddy became more frantic and began to bark for Elspeth's attention.

'Start running, bitch,' Elspeth said as she grabbed Buddy's collar. 'Ten, nine, eight, seven…' she began to count down. 'Aren't I lovely? Giving you an extra ten seconds,' she said. Abigail gave Elspeth the finger, and then flinched in fear as Buddy barked and began to growl at Elspeth's command. Elspeth watched as Abigail left the farm and then she let Buddy go. 'Make sure she doesn't come back,' she said to Buddy, seeing him race off to the edge of the property.

Sebastian almost sagged to his knees and instead sat on the edge of the raised flowerbed, leaning onto his knees. 'Oh, Yoba,' he moaned, cradling his head in his hands. 'Fuck…'

Elspeth exhaled heavily and dropped her hose, almost throwing it to the side. 'What… the fuck was that about?!' She exclaimed, rubbing her eyes.

'I'm so sorry,' Sebastian moaned, 'It's all my fault.'

She sighed and sat next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. 'It is not always your fault,' she said, 'especially in this instance. This was never your fault.' Sebastian looked up at her, the lipstick still smudged on his lips despite his attempts to remove it. Elspeth licked her thumb and began to rub at it, 'that's the wrong shade for sure.'

Her comment made him laugh a little and he pulled her closer, pressing her hand against his mouth. 'And what colour suits me more?' He asked, a little worried about her answer.

'Mine of course,' Elspeth said softly, moving closer to him. 'Can I kiss you?' She asked, winding her fingers between his.

He looked at her, his lip trembling a little as he met her gaze. 'Always.'

I did not spell/grammar check this.

I also wrote it in a haze of about two hours. my apologies if it didn't flow properly!