Not Used To Cute - Becca Seymour Page 0,23

Use and abuse… screwing me over. Taking what they want and then pissing off.” A soft smile lifted his lips. “Then you gave me a chance and have never taken anything from me.”

My heart lurched at his words.

“You only expected me to do my job.” The sweet intensity of his gaze caught in the wind, whirring around us.

Seb was incredible. Through every word he shared, there was not a sob story attached, no demand for pity or expectation that anyone owed him anything. There was a gentle truth instead. Acceptance. And I fucking hated that he’d ever been made to feel that being treated like shit was the norm.

I swallowed down my anger at myself, knowing I’d only perpetuated that with how I’d treated him after the attack. God, I was a wanker.

Before I could say anything, confess he had me tied up in knots, his gaze flicked out to sea. “I’m going to catch this one.” All I could do was nod as I watched him paddle hard, his sinewy muscles lithe and strong. A moment later, he popped up on his board like it was an extension of him. The movement effortless, the ease obvious, and as he rode it in, he’d never looked so free or quite so magnificent.

The reality of how incredible this complicated man was punched me in the gut with the ferocity of a ten-foot wave. The question was, could I pull my head out of my arse and put my heart out there for him?

Eight

Seb

When I woke to my alarm, there was no hesitation this morning as I threw back my covers, preparing to ready for work. Yesterday, the afternoon I’d spent with Elijah was quite possibly the best time I’d ever had.

We’d talked easily and freely, had laughed and joked, and more times than once, when I’d turned, his eyes had been set on me, but he hadn’t pulled away.

Each time, my stomach had flipped and my heart had thudded hard. The feeling was alien, but I couldn’t say I hated it.

When I’d told him a bit about my past, his anger had been palpable, and emotion had shone through his eyes with what I liked to think was respect. I’d come a long way over the years. While sadness and frustration were still familiar forces in my life, I refused to turn over and accept that was my future. I wanted to be happy, and since meeting Elijah, feeling the connection and recognising his acceptance of who I was went a long way with reminding me I was worth all the happiness.

It didn’t matter if nothing happened between us—even though if that was the reality, it would suck. Instead, he, as well as the group of people who’d so readily accepted me into their fold at the bar, was the push I needed to keep my head held high and chase the joy life could give me.

Not even the shabby curtains or the chipped tiles of my small apartment could dull my outlook this morning. Because screw that. I paid for this place myself. There were no government handouts, no exchanging of favours, just me and sticking it out at work and picking up my hard-earned pay cheque.

“Morning,” I greeted Carla as I stepped into the small office.

She turned her head in my direction, her grin immediate and wide. “Morning, Seb. You’re looking much more yourself this morning.” She surprised me by standing and wrapping me up in a warm hug. It seemed this would be how she greeted me daily. I could definitely get used to it. I embraced her back. “I was worried about you,” she said, giving me an extra squeeze.

My heart filled, so grateful there were so many good people recently in my life. “Thank you. I’m great. I’m feeling much better.”

She stepped away, her gaze raking over me. “Good surf yesterday?” The twinkle in her eyes had me laughing.

“It was just what I needed,” I said, not offering any more.

“I just bet it was,” she sassed.

My smile was wide as I got myself sorted and settled, looking at my to-do list.

“What’s on the agenda today?” she asked, giving me grace and not pushing for details.

The notepad before me was fairly full, but my priority was the fire inspection. “As soon as Elijah is in, I need to go through what’s needed for the audit this Sunday. I imagine that will take up all my time today, unless you need me for anything else in particular?”

She shook