A/N: It's the long weekend here in Canada and I'm going to be busy finishing TMMM's latest chapter plus a whole bunch of things I need to do so here's a double-upload for all of you.

Amber, you can't say I didn't cheer you up on your birthday! =)

Vote and comment! Let me know what you think of the developments so far.

***

I decided to wait until Monday to see Sebastian.

I knew what I wanted to do but I wanted to give myself some time to figure out what exactly to tell him.

We’ve made such a muck of things that it was hard to find exactly where we left off.

When I came in on Monday morning, I called Dean’s desk and asked if Sebastian was in. He wasn’t.

I checked again later in the day and got the same response.

Dean confirmed he wasn’t away on a trip or anything—just that Jennison had called in the morning to say Sebastian wasn’t coming in.

I didn’t want to text or call him—if I prepared for it, the doubts might sink in and make me change my mind.

Maybe he needed time. He’d waited for me for four years. I could wait a day.

I stomped down the frustration and decided to go about the rest of my day.

Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty much the same thing.

I got anxious enough that I finally rang Jennison.

“Where is he?” I asked, barely controlling the impatience in my voice. “Is he okay?”

Jennison took a long time before answering, “Technically speaking, he’s fine but he’s not fit for company right now. He’s just been working from home.”

“I need to see him,” I blurted out, pacing by the front steps of TVG.

I’d stayed behind a couple of hours to get ahead on some work before I went after Sebastian. The skies have darkened and I’ve already repeatedly refused the front desk security from calling me a cab until I knew where to go.

“Is he at Rockford?”

“I wouldn’t advise it, Cassandra,” Jennison said firmly. “You may want to give him another day or so.”

“His mood isn’t going to improve in the next few days and we both know it,” I snapped, exhaling sharply. “Not while he’s still furious with me.”

“It isn’t his mood I’m concerned about. It’s your safety.”

“He’s not going to hurt me,” I grunted. “He’ll yell and break things but he’ll never lay a hand on me.”

“Shrapnels can still be quite deadly,” Jennison said with a sigh. “Give it until tomorrow, Cassie. I’ll see if I can talk him into coming to work.”

“Alright, Jennison,” I conceded, trying not to growl. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

Of course, I didn’t plan on waiting until tomorrow.

I’ve already waited three days.

I flagged down a cab and instructed it to take me to Rockford.

A sense of déjà vu flitted through me as I approached the concierge-slash-security desk.

I was still dressed in my work attire—a salmon-colored shift dress, dark brown leggings and matching suede booties draped with a basic, tan trench coat. I knew I looked sophisticated but I wasn’t sure if I could pass for ridiculously rich who might possibly reside in this upscale condominium building.

No such luck.

The doorman merely bowed at me as I walked past him but a female staff slipped from behind the counter to greet me.

“I’m here for the Vice penthouse,” I said politely, trying hard not to show any outward indication of my nervousness. I fervently prayed that Sebastian hasn’t banned me from Rockford yet. “My name’s Cassandra Collins.”

She nodded and moved back to her computer. “Please give me a moment to check, Ms. Collins.”

“Oh, she’s on the full-access list,” one of the other staff members looked up and smiled at me. “She’s all good, Marnie.”

I inwardly danced the jig. It’s been four years and Sebastian’s left my name on the list. He was being truthful when he said there had been nothing stopping me from coming back all this time but myself.

I smiled at my rescuer and racked my brain for a name to go with the familiar face. “Jim, right?”

He beamed. “That’s right. I’m glad you remember me, Ms. Collins.”

I laughed, more in relief than anything else. “No, I’m glad you remember me.”

His smile turned shy as he scratched his head. “It’s hard to forget a smile like yours, Ms. Collins, with those dimples.”

Ah. I knew I wasn’t drop-dead gorgeous but the dimples have always been my best trick.

Marnie scowled at him. “Perhaps Ms. Collins can be on her way if we don’t hold her up any longer.”

“Thank you, everyone,” I told them brightly as I followed Jim to the elevator where he punched in the penthouse code.

I turned to him and flashed him a broad smile. “Thanks again for all your help, Jim. I really appreciate it.”

As I rode up the elevator alone, my adrenaline abruptly drained out of me to be replaced by stomach-turning anxiety.

The last time I found myself in these similar circumstances was four years ago, just as I was about to walk into Sebastian and Natalie.

I reminded myself of the very same fact that it was four years ago.

Sebastian had gotten much better than that.

From what I remembered, the entire top floor was comprised of Sebastian’s unit that it only took a few steps to walk down the private lobby and reach the front door.

I paused before it, taking a deep, shaky breath to steady my nerves.

My hands were cold and clammy but I cleared my throat and reached a trembling hand forward to press the doorbell.

Several seconds later, the door cracked open and the familiar face of Sebastian’s butler peered out.

“Percy, hi,” I greeted warmly, gracing him with a smile. “I hope you remember me.”

The butler recovered from his astonishment and straightened, opening the door wider. “Miss Cassie, of course I remember you! You look great by the way. The years have only made you lovelier.”

“Thank you. You look very well yourself, Percy” I said with a laugh. “I was hoping to see Sebastian.”

The old man’s brows knitted anxiously. “I don’t think—”

“Cassie, it’s not surprising to see you here,” came Jennison’s wry greeting as he appeared behind the butler. “I thought you were going to give it until tomorrow.”

“I was never good at sticking to the plan,” I answered with a cheeky smile. “Hello, Jennison. Are you going to let me in or should I wait out here until Sebastian decides to grace me with his presence?”

Jennison deliberated for a moment before glancing at Percy and giving him a brief nod. “I’ll handle this, Percy. You take care of what I was doing.”

The butler quickly disappeared and Jennison stepped aside to let me through.

I looked around the foyer and the living room, hunting for signs of Sebastian.

The place looked very much like it did four years ago except for one thing—the scattering of vases that held a bunch of fresh daises in different colors and sizes.

I warmed at the memory of our conversation four years ago, when I first came into this place and I told Sebastian he could use some flowers. Daisies have sentimental value to both of us.

“Jennison, is he sick? Is he drunk? Has he been eating?” I started rambling. “I hope you hid the alcohol away. He’ll be angry but—”

“He’d already drunk his bar dry on Saturday so that point is moot,” Jennison interjected gently. “As I’ve warned you, Cassie, he’s not very... friendly, right now. He might say things you’ll both regret. It’s better if you wait until he’s emotionally sober.”

I bit my lip in frustration. “Fine, I won’t talk to him. Just let me see him. I just want to see him. I’ll stay back. He doesn’t have to know I’m here.”

Jennison looked at me as he deliberated and I held his gaze, pleading him to understand.

He sighed and gestured to the balcony doors. “He’s outside.”

“Thank you so much,” I breathed out happily, quickly hugging the man before dropping my purse on the floor and tiptoeing towards the balcony doors.

They were slightly ajar and I quietly slipped a hand through the gap to widen it further.

The balcony was vast and it featured an outdoor entertaining space and a well-landscaped garden.

The sun had already set but some remnants of it still illuminated the horizon. It was hard to see everything despite the additional light from the old-fashioned lamp posts that were scattered around the balcony so I squinted and pushed the door further out, slipping half of my body through the gap.

Sebastian.

I stood still when I saw his silhouette at one corner, his arms spread out on each side of him, braced against the top of the railings.

His face flashed in my mind—smiling, angry, hurting, laughing, seductive, happy, pleading, stern, loving.

For all his faults, Sebastian had been many things because of and for me.

He couldn’t quit me any more than I could give him up.

My heart started hammering inside my chest and my skin tingled with the instinct to touch him and hold him and kiss him better.

I’d promised to just look at him from a distance but it seemed like my feet had a will of their own as they started forward in slow, sure steps.

I stopped when he stiffened, registering my presence.

With a slow glance over his shoulder, his eyes met mine.

His eyes glittered with suffering that nearly matched my own.

“Cassandra,” he said in a hoarse voice that trembled softly.

It was like a dam burst inside of me.

One second I was standing a few feet away from him, the next I was sinking into his arms as they fastened around me tightly.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed against his chest, losing my battle with my tears as they dampened my cheeks and his shirt. “I’m so sorry I left. I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you enough to not demand answers that weren’t for me. I’m sorry I hurt you.”

“It’s alright, my love,” he murmured against my hair. “There’s nothing I have to forgive you for.”

I pulled away slightly so I could look up to him. “I trust you, Sebastian. If you tell me nothing happened with Natalie, I’ll believe you. If you tell me that it’s in my best interest not to know your secrets, I’ll believe you. I’ll believe you because I love you.”

He gave me a tremulous smile, his fingers gently grazing my cheek. “I love you, Cassandra. If I could protect you from everything, myself especially, I would. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me and I won’t lose you.”

“You won’t,” I reassured him as I slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled him closer. “Because I’m here to stay, Sebastian. For good.”

The kiss started bittersweet but it didn’t take long for the flames to flare to life and start smoldering.

There was no hint of alcohol—just Sebastian, his sweetness, his desire, his love.

If the world could sing out in harmony, now would be the perfect time because everything felt right.

Until I heard the giggles.

I tore myself away from Sebastian and glanced at the door, the shocked gasp tumbling out of my mouth.

Standing there by the doorway were two tall, attractive women wearing nothing but sexy lingerie and watching us with amused interest.

“Care to make it a party?” one of them asked with a naughty wink.

I turned to Sebastian, feeling the blood in my veins turn ice cold at the betrayal once again.

Without saying a word, I bolted from my spot and stormed past the women, bumping into Jennison and abruptly snatching my purse which he held.

I ran out, ignoring Sebastian’s bellows as he followed me.

I scrambled into the elevator and punched it close before he could slip into it.

When the elevator started moving, I clenched my fists hard before I flung out my purse by the strap and sent it slamming against the wood-paneled wall.

“Damn you, Sebastian Vice!” I screamed at no one in particular, vibrating with fury, hot scalding tears slipping down my cheeks.

The pain in my chest loosened only slightly and I struggled to compose myself.

I was not going to fall apart.

I sighed and leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes briefly as a whirlwind of emotions lashed inside of me.

Why are you angry, Cassandra? You went on a weekend getaway with Marcus after telling Sebastian that you two were done. He could’ve slept with a hundred different girls and you wouldn’t have a say about it. Just as he wouldn’t if you’d gone and slept with Marcus.

I hated my rationalizations especially when they were right.

I had pushed Sebastian away—I had pushed him out of my life, giving him free reign to live his own.

If it involved threesomes, there was nothing I could do about that.

It still stung and as tempting as it was to turn around and tell him it didn’t matter—he only did as I’d prescribed—I just couldn’t face him at this moment.

When the elevator banked on the ground floor, I rushed out and stood by the front steps, keeping an eye on a taxi to flag down.

One arrived a few seconds later, letting out a couple who were giggling at each other.

“Cassandra, don’t you dare get into that taxi!”

I whirled around and saw Sebastian marching out the front door in his robe and pajamas, barefoot and looking thunderous.

There were a few people by the outside lobby including security and the building staff and they all froze at his frantic shout. No one dared to stand in his way. No one was foolish enough to attempt it.

He slammed a hand down the passenger seat door I had just yanked open, swiftly shutting it close.

“Go!” he yelled at the driver, giving the taxi another smack on the roof.

It careened away without hesitation.

“Sebastian, I don’t want to talk about this now,” I told him evenly. “I understood what happened and I don’t blame you but I—”

“If only you’d stop jumping to conclusions and running away before I could explain, we wouldn’t constantly be on a ridiculous chase,” he snapped, grabbing my elbow. “Let’s go back upstairs and I’ll tell you—”

“I’m not going back there with those... women!” I sputtered incredulously. “I may be incredibly weak when it comes to you but don’t think for a second that I’m willing to stoop that low for you!”

“What happened to all that trust you promised me minutes ago?” he demanded. “Why do you have this habit of constantly assuming the worst about me just based on the optics of the situation?”

“Maybe because the optics of the situation are as obvious as the nose in your face!” I shot back. “You’re the one with the habit of getting caught in incriminating circumstances. I just make the deductions.”

Sebastian growled in frustration. “Look, I was going crazy wondering what you were doing with Marcus on the weekend that I needed to do something to get it out of my mind. I wanted to do something far worse than what you did running off with him. I thought maybe two women would do the trick but I was so distracted by all-consuming thoughts of you that they eventually got bored of waiting around they decided to amuse each other in one of the guest bedrooms. Jennison was trying to get rid of them when you arrived. I haven’t been intimate with a woman in a long time, Cassandra, way before you came back to my life. I don’t want anyone else.”

He grabbed me by the shoulders and peered down at me, determination plain on his face. “You told me you trusted me. You can’t take it back now. I won’t let you.”

Then his mouth came crashing down on mine, savage and relentless.

Everything else faded away as my arms wrapped around him, every bit of my soul poured into our kiss.

“I love you so damned much, Cassandra,” he whispered gruffly as he broke away slightly, grazing his lips along the line of my jaw. “Please tell me you’re mine forever.”

I sniffed back my tears and smiled weakly, pressing my forehead against his chin. “I’ve always been yours, Sebastian. Forever.”

Without saying much else, he scooped me up in his arms and carried me back up the front steps, ignoring our gaping audience.

He didn’t put me down even after we got into the elevator and I happily linked my arms around his neck and pressed my cheek against his solid chest.

“I want the whole place vacated in five minutes,” he muttered to Jennison who opened the door before Sebastian reached it. “I will not be disturbed until further notice.”

My cheeks burned at the implication but I did nothing except smile at Jennison who was looking mildly relieved and amused at the same time before he turned around to follow his orders.

“I’m not sure I want to be in your bedroom,” I murmured to Sebastian as he continued down the hall that led to the various bedrooms. “Not with... you know... your memory with Natalie. In it.”

I swallowed uncomfortably.

Doubts didn’t assail me like they used to at the mere mention of her name but it still made me very uneasy.

“I’ve never slept with a woman in my bedroom, Cassandra,” he told me with a brief but meaningful glance. “And there will never be any other woman in it but you.”

Warmth pooled in my chest and I allowed myself a giddy smile.

I couldn’t believe how hard I resisted something this good.

I expected him to drop me on the bed when we got to his room but he pretty much followed me right after, his large, muscular frame covering past the entire length of my body.

We spent a good amount of time kissing wildly before Sebastian pulled back to skim the length of my stockinged legs.

He easily slipped off my boots and worked to untie the belt of my trench coat.

Pushing myself up, I shook the coat off my shoulders and shoved it aside, enjoying the darkening look in his searing green eyes.

He edged off the bed and pulled me up on my feet, his hands curling around my waist as he leaned down to torture my lips again with hot, sucking kisses.

Wandering up to my back, his hands found the top of my dress’s zipper and slowly pulled it down, his warm, rough palm slipping inside to caress my skin.

“Sebastian, I need you,” I whispered shakily, my hands gripping the hem of his shirt and pulling it upwards.

Shrugging his robe off, he grabbed the back of the shirt collar and yanked it off. I shivered at the sight and touch of his well-muscled torso which was slightly shadowed by the sprinkling of soft, dark hair on his chest.

His hands hovered on my shoulders, pushing the straps of my dress down until it slipped easily into a heap by my feet. Deftly, he captured the heavy globes of my breasts and squeezed gently before unclasping my bra and freeing them back to his hands.

I sucked in a sharp breath when his fingers strummed across my stiffening nipples, the friction sending a jolt of liquid desire straight between my legs.

Lifting me up by the waist, he laid me back on the bed, his hands moving down to the garters of my opaque tights.

His hands slipped inside just as his mouth closed over one of my nipples, his fingers skimming along the edges of my panties at the same time his tongue leisurely stroked against my heated skin.

“Don’t torture me, please,” I heard myself begging, my fingers thrusting into his hair to pull him back up to my mouth.