He was silent for a moment, then looked over at her. “I really thought I could do this. That I could be platonic and not an asshole. And then you had to catch me in the worst way possible.” He leaned forward and put his head in his hands. “I’m sorry this isn’t what you needed, but I can’t do a platonic marriage. I knew I was in over my head after that kiss—”
“The kiss?” She cocked her head, curious. “What kiss? In the airport?”
“No, in the library, when we first agreed to this.”
Her eyes widened. “Wait. You knew then that you couldn’t be platonic but you still wanted to give this a shot?”
“It seemed like the perfect solution to our problems, didn’t it?” He gave her a look that was full of self-loathing. “Too bad I can’t stop thinking with my cock. I was hoping that at some point maybe you’d come to be attracted to me, too. That maybe we could move forward if I was patient. And then after you told me . . .” He shook his head. “Well, just shows that I’m stupid.”
Hot tears filled her eyes then. “And you stopped being attracted to me because I was raped?”
Sebastian gave her a look of shock. “What? God, no. Not that.” He pulled her against him and began to rub her back, comforting her. “If anything, it made me more attracted to you because you’re so fucking strong. But I’d feel like the biggest dick in the world if I tried to put the moves on you after promising you we’d be utterly platonic. I can’t do that to you. Not when you want nothing more than to be safe.”
It felt so good to be held against him, to snuggle and be comforted. This was what a boyfriend would do for her, she realized. And she was getting everything she wanted out of their relationship . . . and he wasn’t.
She was the one being unfair. And yet . . . “I don’t know if I told you, Sebastian. But . . . after my incident, I had to compartmentalize a lot of how I was feeling so I could function. And a lot of my sexuality went away.”
He rubbed her shoulder. “You don’t have to explain anything to me, Chelsea.”
“I wish I could be how you wanted me to be,” she told him, sad. “I want to. I really do. But that part of me is dead. I wasn’t a virgin when it happened. I’d had sex before, and it was fine.” She’d even orgasmed a few times, though it depended on her partner. She loved—and missed—kissing most of all, though. God, she’d loved kissing once upon a time. “But ever since the attack, I can’t even look at a guy in that way. That part of me is dead, Sebastian. And you deserve someone that’s going to be able to give you what you need.”
He shook his head and hugged her closer, and she burrowed against him. “I should be the one apologizing to you, Chelsea. This shouldn’t even be a factor in our fake relationship. I’m the world’s biggest asshole because you wanted this to be platonic and I can’t.”
“I just . . .” She sighed, thoughtful. “I wish I wasn’t broken. Because if I was going to kiss someone, it’d be you, Sebastian. You’re so good to me, and sexy and funny. I just . . . don’t think I can.”
“Have you tried?” His voice was gentle.
She gave a small shake of her head. Just the thought was terrifying. Memories of the yawning blackness flashed through her mind and she pushed them away, back in the corner of her mind she never went to.
His hand stroked her back, over and over. Then, slowly, he paused. “Do you want to try?”
Chelsea sat up, gazing at him. “Try what? Try sex? Are you kidding me? You think you’re the man with the magic penis that’s going to cure everything that ails me?” Now she was offended.
He looked stricken. “No, not at all! It’s just that . . . you feel safe around me, right?” At her nod, he continued. “Then what better person to experiment with, sex-wise? There’s no pressure.”
“Except that you’re masturbating.”
He grinned. “I am a man. But I was trying to take care of things so I didn’t bother you or make you uncomfortable. Believe it or not, I sincerely care about you as a friend and want you to be happy. We’ll go as slow or as fast as you want. It’s entirely your call.”