Unlocked (The Alpha Group 3)

"I knew that skank had to have a secret!" said Ruth, when I filled her in on what had happened with Jennifer.

"Yeah, talk about sleeping your way to the top," agreed Lou.

"The worst part is that it was with Alan," I said, suppressing a shudder. "No promotion under the sun is worth that."

"Well, I'm glad things are back on track," said Lou.

Ruth's smile turned playful. "Speaking of back on track, you hinted on the phone that Sex-On-Legs had a change of heart too."

I grinned at the nickname. "It looks that way."'

"Well, that's awesome," she replied. "If any other woman is going to have him, I'm glad it's you."

"You never had him at all!"

Her smile widened and she tapped the side of her head. "Up here I did."

I laughed. "I choose to take that as a compliment."

"And so you should. Just don't go getting any ideas about diamond rings and screaming toddlers, like this one here," she said, nodding to Lou, "or I may have to disown you both."

"Oh don't be so dramatic," replied Lou. "Once Soph squeezes one or two out and settles down in the burbs, you can come around on Fridays and play charades with us!"

Ruth's face twisted in mock horror.

"I'm not sure there will be much settling in our immediate future," I told them. "After all, I have a partnership ladder to climb."

In truth, I had been feeling a little uncertain about the future, but not for that reason. It was one thing Sebastian and I had yet to talk about. The events of the last few weeks had shown the depth of his feelings for me, and I returned them just as strongly. But now that things were returning to normal, and the adrenaline was fading, the reality of that commitment was sinking in. For better or for worse I'd fallen for a man with some rather unique obligations, and I didn't know exactly what they meant for us. I had no objections about the way our life was now; in fact, it felt a little like I was living in some kind of dream, but was that going to be our life forever? Were the things Ruth joked about permanently out of reach?

All I knew was that I loved him and wanted to be with him, and I figured we'd work it out as we went along.

A week or so later, Sebastian surprised me with another trip to Mi Casa. It was every bit as warm and welcoming as I remembered, with several waiters I only dimly recognised welcoming me like an old friend. The food was incredible again, and since I knew what was coming, I buzzed with anticipation for the entire meal.

As the plates were cleared, and the music started, Sebastian stood and held out his hand. "May I have this dance, my lady?"

This time there was no hesitation. "Certainly, sir," I replied with a giggle.

We danced for what felt like hours, our bodies slowly igniting each other with sensuous rhythm. I half expected him to pull me aside again, to relieve the tension, but much to my disappointment, he restrained himself.

Eventually, he guided me to the edge of the crowd, and then towards the door. I didn't have to ask where we were going.

It was much warmer outside than the last time he'd brought me here, and even up on the headland, utterly exposed to the elements, there was only a soft sea breeze. We settled on the grass, just a few metres from the cliff's edge, and nestled against one another, gazing out over the dark water.

"This really is a spectacular view," I said.

He nodded, but didn't reply, his brow slightly furrowed in contemplation.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

He blinked several times, then turned to me, his lips curling into a smile. "Everything is perfect." He planted a kiss on the top of my head. "I do want to talk to you about something, though."

"Oh? Let me guess. Thomas has gone rogue and is hunting us even as we speak!"

He laughed. "Not quite." His expression slipped to something that almost looked like nervousness. "I was hoping you'd like to make our living arrangement permanent."

"For real?" We basically were already living together, but nonetheless, the formal acknowledgement was a big step.

"For real," he confirmed. "I love knowing that I've got you to come home to every night. I want to know that I've got that forever."

The word 'forever' sent a warm tingle rolling through my chest. "You make me sound like a kept women," I replied. "What about the nights where I come home to you?" I was going for a little sass, but it was somewhat ruined by the sickly sweet smile I couldn't seem to wipe off my face.

He chuckled. "I love those, too."

I made him sweat it for a few seconds, but the truth was he'd had me from the moment he opened his mouth. Hell, he'd had me almost from the moment we met. There was no want left in our relationship now, only need. I needed him like I needed air, and I couldn't imagine going home to a house without him either.

"Of course I'll move in with you."

He let out a long breath and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. "That's what I wanted to hear."

"Although I have to say, Ruth's probably going to have an aneurysm. I'm the last domino standing, and I have no doubt she'll see this as a sign that the end is nigh."

"The end?"

"You know, marriage, kids, impractically fluffy pets. To Ruth that stuff is the end."

He laughed. "I see."

"No pressure from me — these hips won't be passing any little bundles of terror for at least a few more years — but if you plan any more big changes, give me a little notice so I can ease her into the transition, okay?"

His expression lost a little of its amusement. "Well actually, there is one other thing I wanted to mention."

"Oh?" I said cautiously.

There was a long pause. "I quit."

Something shifted in my stomach. "Quit? What do you mean quit? I thought that wasn't allowed."

"Well, maybe that's not quite the right word. Rather, I asked Joe to fire me."

"He can do that?"

Sebastian shrugged. "He's in charge. He can pretty much do what he wants. Call it a perk of knowing the boss."

"And he was okay with it?"

Sebastian gave a surprised little smile. "Yeah. He actually seemed happy to do it."

I shook my head slowly, trying to come to grips with what he was saying. I couldn't deny that the idea of having Sebastian all to myself filled me with joy, but I didn't want that at the expense of his happiness. "Wow. I appreciate the gesture, Sebastian, but are you sure? I mean, we're doing okay now, aren't we? Things don't need to change."