Chapter 43

Rose stood frozen in Sebastian's embrace, her body tense with uncertainty. The surge of unease she felt was unexpected, an unsettling mix of vulnerability and fear that coursed through her veins. Sebastian's actions, which she did know if they were well-intentioned, had caught her off guard, shattering the fragile barriers she had carefully wanted to re-construct around herself.

As they stood there, her cheek still cradled in his warm hand, a flurry of emotions cascaded within her. Rose knew she had two choices at that moment—retreat back  into the safety of her room,  or surrender to the unknown, allowing herself to be vulnerable with Sebastian, even though she knew the chances of him wanting her body again were low, she still didn't understand what to do where she stood face to face with a handsome and freshly cleaned face and a very muscular and well structured chest.

His touch, once again unsettling, but now began t