The best way to wake up?

When someone brings you your favorite breakfast in bed.

Whoever said that has never woken up with someone's head between their legs. Start the morning with an orgasm? Yes please.

When Acker kissed me, I felt myself on his lips and damn, I liked it more than I should.

"Good morning." He said into our kiss with a smile.

"Oh it is." I laughed.

Yes, we spent yesterday afternoon and evening in bed. No, we didn't have sex the whole time. We turned on the TV and fell asleep for a while before returning to burning calories in the most pleasant way.

"Do you do this often?" I put my hands on his chest and pushed him away so he could lie down and I could sit on him.

"What? Morning orgasms?" He raised an eyebrow and I nodded. "No. I don't usually stay until morning." He smiled and put his hands under his t-shirt that I was wearing and put them on my hips.

"Should I feel special?" I laughed.

"Yes, you should." He tried to sit up, but I stopped him with my hand on his chest.

"Do you think we can stay in bed all day?" I tilted my head to the side and looked at his bare chest, which I ran my fingers over.

"Aren't you working today?" He frowned.

"Shit!" I jumped off him and took the phone in my hand. "Shit. Shit. Shit."

"I take that as a yes." He said with humor, but I didn't find it funny.

"I only have an hour, I have to take a shower, I'm sticky and I smell like sex."

"That's the best smell if you ask me." He put his hands behind his head, straining his muscles.

What if I....no. I can't do that now. I'm late already.

“But you could take time off."

"Oh no. I need to talk to Eddie. I don't know what he was trying, but he shouldn't have dragged Julie into it." I went to the closet.

"Julie? What about her?" He frowned, but before I could say anything, he spoke again. "Don't tell me she cried because of him."

"Okay, I won't tell you then." I took out my usual black t-shirt and jeans and put them on the edge of the bed along with a lace bra and panties.

"What does she see in him?"

"Uhm, he's hot, smart, a gentleman, owns a business..." I stopped when I noticed Acker's murderous look. "You shouldn't have asked if you didn't want the answer." I shrugged with a laugh.

"I have everything he has." He snorted.

"You don't even have a job." I laughed. He opened his mouth to say something, but I beat him to it. "And before you say the mafia is a job, it's not a normal job."

"Fine." He got up from the bed and walked over to me. "At the end of the day, I'll have a job."

"Oh come on." I laughed and patted his chest. "I was just kidding."

"I wasn't." He said sternly.

"Oh really?" I crossed my arms over my breasts. "What job are you going to have?"

"I'm going to open a business and do tattoos." He said seriously.

“Everybody in the area goes to Raymond's because of the low prices, but you tried, maybe next time, bud." I patted his chest and turned around. I started to walk to the bathroom but stopped when I heard the doorbell.

I pulled my shirt down as low as possible and walked to the door. When I opened them, no one was there, only an envelope on the floor. I picked it up and brought it back to the apartment. I closed the door behind me while opening the envelope.

I picked up three photos from it. They were a bit blurry and photographed from a distance, but I knew what was on them.

Me and Acker in San Jose at a motel.

On the last photo were written in red letters 'if he touches you I will make you watch while I cut his throat'.

I swallowed hard. There is a difference when he threatens me and when he threatens someone I care about.

Shit, what if he goes after Julie just to get to me?

"Maya?" I was snapped out of my thoughts by Acker at the door of my room.

I hid the photos behind me as quickly as possible and tried to smile.

"Who was it?" He frowned.

"Nobody was there, maybe some kids were bored." I shrugged my shoulders.

"Oh well." He walked up to me. "And what are you holding behind your back?"

"Nothing." I shook my head but knew I was screwed when he stopped right in front of me.

"Maya." He set his hand for me to give him whatever I have behind my back.

I sighed in defeat and handed him the photos. He examined them carefully before looking at me. "If he's going to make threats, he should at least learn how to write properly." He dropped them on the line as if nothing had happened.

"You do realize he's threatening to kill you, right?" Does he really not care?

"Maya." He approached me and grabbed my shoulders. "Are you worried about me?" The corner of his mouth lifted.

“This is not funny, Sebastian." I shook my head.

"Oh-ou. Sebastian? I have a problem, don't I?" He laughed.

“It's still not funny." I took his hands off me. I tried to slip past him but he caught my wrist.

"I'll be fine, Maya. I can take care of myself."

"You can? How many bullet scars do you have?" I frowned. "They don't go away when you put tattoos on them."

“This is different."

"Is it? Because I feel like history is repeating itself. I lost Christian," I broke out of his grip, "I don't plan on losing anyone else. Not even you." Without another word, I let him stand in the middle of the apartment while I locked myself in the bathroom.

Good job, Maya. You care about someone again. That's another person that life can just take away from you.



Do I regret sleeping with Maya? If I say yes at any time, take me to the hospital because I have a brain damage.

She's like a drug. I couldn't stop touching her even when we were sleeping. I wanted to hold her as close as possible.

I don't think I've ever slept sober in the same bed with someone all night. I have to say, I like waking up next to someone.

Maybe the first and last time, since Maya is pissed off at me.

But what was I supposed to tell her? I've killed people, her stalker doesn't scare me. He would drop dead on the ground with a hole in his head before he touched me.

But Maya doesn't understand, and I think I know why.

She kind of said it.

She let someone near her and she's afraid I'll end up like Christian. I totally get that, but I'm not him. I don't think she knows.

But it's pretty cool to know she cares. That she cares about me.

If you had told me that when I first came to Seattle, I would have laughed at you.

It's funny how much can change in such a short time.

"Behind the bar again? Trying to steal Maya's job?" I laughed and sat on the high chair in front of Julie.

"Hi." She smiled at me and nodded to Maya, who was walking to the back to change. “She looks slightly irritated, but you're glowing." She pointed her finger at me. "If you weren't a guy, I'd think you were pregnant."

"Oh no." I laughed. "I'm just in a good mood." Because I slept with your friend and I'm pretty sure it's going to happen again.

"Mhm." She looked at me with a small smile, as if she knew what I was thinking.

Why do I feel like all the women in Seattle can read minds? It's not ideal.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed someone standing there, their gaze on us. When I looked to the other side to see the reflection, I immediately knew who it was.

"Julie." She looked up at me. "Have I told you that you are beautiful?" I said with a smile.

"What?" Her voice cracked and she blushed. "What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to make someone jealous and make then realize what a mistake they've made. So keep blushing, it suits you."

"Stop." She blushed more and smiled. "Is that someone Eddie?"

"I don't know his name, only that he's an absolute idiot."

"Yep that's him." She laughed and so did I.

“So right now, I'm going to do this." I reached over and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

“Julie, can I talk to you for a moment." I heard next to us and fought back a smile. When I turned to him, I saw his clenched fists and his jaw. Someone is jealous here.

"Sure." She smiled at me, but before she could move I caught her.

"Don't settle for less, doll." I winked at her and let her go.

I was hoping that a hand would fly in my direction, but unfortunately it didn't happen. I haven't fought anyone in a long time. I kind of miss it.

Julie left for her boss, who was killing me with his stare, and they went through the door to the back. The door didn't even close properly and Maya was already walking through them.

"What the hell are you wearing?" I frowned as I saw a tight leather skirt that was almost too tight and a black corset.

"Clothes." She went behind the bar.

"You don't say." I snorted. "Maya, the moment you bend down..."

"Then you better hope I don't drop anything." She cut me off. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. Why don't you go find someone else to annoy? A little socializing won't hurt you." She threw her hair over her shoulder and went to the other side.

What does she think she's doing? Is this supposed to be some sort of punishment for what happened this morning? This is absurd.

She looks amazing, yes, even stunning, but there are men around who can't take their eyes off her and I can imagine what goes through their minds.

I snorted and shook my head. “You've got to be kidding me." I said to myself.

*****

I was ready to go to jail today. I'm not kidding.

When a guy leaned over the bar while Maya was walking away from him, I wanted to kill him in the worst way possible.

I needed to relax, so I went to the alley next to the bar for a smoke.

The cool air had a pleasant calming effect.

What am I even doing? I act like a high school boy with a crush.

I let out a frustrated breath and let my head fall to the wall behind me.

“Come to your senses Sebastian." I said to myself, and then I was pulled out of my thoughts by my cell phone, which started ringing in my pocket. I smiled when I saw Val's name on the screen.

"Finally, where have you been?" I heard her sweet voice when I picked up.

"Nice to hear you too, sis." I laughed. "What's up?"

"What's up?" She repeated. "What's up is that I called Killian and Kai and you weren't there. They told me you were in Seattle, what are you doing there?"

“I'm keeping an eye on Theo's sister." I simply said.

"Theo has a sister? Since when?" I laughed at her question.

"It doesn't matter, Val. What does matter is that you're calling. Is something wrong?"

"Can't I just call my brother?" She laughed, but I could hear in her voice that it was forced.

"Val." I said in a warning tone. "Is it something with that Ryan guy again?" Ryan is her boyfriend who she should leave because he doesn't deserve her.

"It's okay, I promise. I just wanted to hear from you all. I miss you." She sounded sad.

"Val you can visit us anytime you want, you know that."

"And how, Seb? You're in Seattle, Finn's in Portland, and Kai's working extra because Killian wants to spend time with Lucy and Lyssa."

"Sorry. Didn't think of that." I frowned. She's right. If she came to New York, no one would really be there for her. We are terrible brothers.

"It's okay." She exhaled heavily. "I'm glad that at least some of you are finally starting to live."

"But family always comes first, you know that."

“Of course I know." She laughed. "Now tell me what it's like in Seattle."

“Not that bad." I shrugged. "Compared to New York, it's quiet here."

“Wow, don't be so verbose." She laughed. "What about Theo's sister?"

"Maya." I smiled. "She gets on my nerves whenever she can."

"Oh really? I already like her."

"I have a feeling you two would get along. She's gorgeous and so are you."

"Wait, stop." I could hear the humor in her voice. "It seemed to me or did just Sebastian Rick Acker said that some woman was gorgeous. Not hot or sexy, but gorgeous."

“Okay, don't overdo it" I laughed.

"I really have to meet her now. Is there something between you two? Because if there is, I'm packing my bags and flying to Seattle."

“Funny, really." I shook my head but couldn't help but smile. "I don't know Val, women are complicated, no offense. She's pissed off at me right now so..."

"You know what's funny, Killian called me once and said the same thing. You really are siblings."

"I'm glad you're amused by my suffering."

"Come on, Seb, you know I'm just teasing you. Now seriously. Do you like her?"

"Yes."

"She likes you?"

“She said she does." I shrugged.

"So if she's mad at you, buy her something she likes and that's it. If she really likes you, she'll forgive you for anything you've done. Except for cheating, I mean. You didn't cheat on her or anything, did you? Because if you did, I don't think that she will forgive you."

"No, of course not. I didn't cheat."

"So think about what she likes, buy it from Killian's credit card and you're done."

"Have I told you that you are my favorite sibling?" I smiled.

"Yes, but I don't mind if you repeat it. I like to hear it."

"Didn't think otherwise." I laughed.