SCARRED HEARTS

CHAPTER 20: BREAKING BARRIERS

Sebastian sat in his office at the penthouse, the hum of the city below barely reaching him. The skyline glowed with a muted brilliance, but his thoughts were a storm, pulling him away from the business proposal he was supposed to review.

The kiss.

He couldn't stop thinking about it. It wasn't just the kiss itself but everything it had meant. The way Lila had looked at him—unguarded, trusting, as if she was willing to let him step into the fortress she had spent years building around herself. And the feel of her in his arms, the taste of her lips, the vulnerability laced in every trembling breath she'd taken.

Sebastian had kissed countless women before, but nothing had ever felt like that. Like home.

And yet, it terrified him.

Not because he didn't want it—no, that was the problem. He wanted her so much it was threatening to consume him. But Lila wasn't just another fleeting desire or business connection. She was everything he hadn't allowed himself to hope for in years, and the weight of it was suffocating.

He leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. On his desk sat a neatly organized pile of papers, the kind of precision that usually brought him comfort. Not tonight.

Sebastian's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. He glanced at the screen. Lucas.

"Not a good time," he said, answering curtly.

Lucas's chuckle was warm, irritatingly relaxed. "When is it ever a good time with you? But I figured you'd want to hear about the Vancouver deal before the board meeting."

Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose. Business was usually his sanctuary, the one area of his life he could control. But tonight, it felt more like an interruption.

"Fine. Make it quick."

"Impatient as always," Lucas teased. "The investors are in. All we need is your approval on the final proposal."

"Good. Send me the details."

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and when Lucas spoke again, his voice had softened. "You sound... distracted. Everything okay?"

Sebastian hesitated. Lucas wasn't just his business partner; he was his closest friend, one of the few people who had seen beneath the armor Sebastian wore so well. But this—Lila—felt too raw to share, even with him.

"Fine," Sebastian said finally, the lie bitter on his tongue. "Just tired."

"Sure." Lucas didn't sound convinced but didn't press. "Get some rest. I'll handle the preliminaries."

Sebastian ended the call and tossed the phone onto his desk. He closed his eyes, exhaling deeply.

But rest wasn't what he needed.

What he needed was to figure out what to do about Lila.

It was after midnight when Sebastian found himself outside the bar where Lila worked. He wasn't entirely sure why he'd come. He told himself it was to check on her, to make sure she was okay after everything that had happened. But deep down, he knew the truth.

He wanted to see her.

The bar was quieter than usual, the late hour thinning out the usual crowd. Sebastian stepped inside, the familiar scent of alcohol and leather greeting him. His eyes scanned the room until they found her behind the counter, her back turned as she cleaned a row of glasses.

She hadn't seen him yet, and for a moment, Sebastian hesitated. She looked so at ease in her element, her hair tied up, her movements fluid and confident. But as she turned and caught sight of him, a flicker of surprise crossed her face, followed by something softer.

"Sebastian," she said, setting the glass down. "What are you doing here?"

"I wanted to make sure you were okay."

Lila raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "You could've texted."

"Texting didn't feel... enough."

Her smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of quiet curiosity. She gestured to an empty stool at the bar, and Sebastian took the seat, his presence commanding even in the casual setting.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Lila busied herself with tidying the counter, but her movements were slower now, deliberate.

"I didn't expect to see you tonight," she admitted.

Sebastian leaned forward, resting his forearms on the counter. "I couldn't stop thinking about earlier."

Lila stilled, her hands pausing mid-motion. She met his gaze, her eyes searching his. "And?"

"And I needed to see you."

The simplicity of his words struck her, and for a moment, Lila didn't know how to respond. She wasn't used to someone being so direct, so open.

"I'm glad you came," she said softly.

Sebastian reached out, his hand brushing hers. The contact was brief but electric, sending a shiver down her spine.

Before either of them could say more, the bar's owner, a gruff man in his fifties, appeared from the back room. "Lila, we're closing up soon. You can head out."

She nodded, grabbing her bag from beneath the counter. Turning to Sebastian, she hesitated. "Do you want to walk with me?"

His answer was immediate. "Always."

The air outside was crisp, the city lights casting a soft glow on the empty streets. They walked in silence at first, their steps falling into an easy rhythm.

Finally, Lila broke the quiet. "You said you couldn't stop thinking about earlier. What does that mean?"

Sebastian stopped, turning to face her. The intensity in his gaze made her breath catch. "It means I care about you, Lila. More than I ever planned to. And it terrifies me."

Lila blinked, startled by his honesty. She had always seen Sebastian as someone who was unshakable, untouchable. To hear him admit fear was... disarming.

"Why?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Because I'm not used to this," he said, his voice low. "Letting someone in. Wanting someone as much as I want you. I don't know how to do this without ruining it."

Lila stepped closer, her heart pounding. "You won't ruin it, Sebastian. You just have to let me in too."

For a moment, he looked at her as if weighing her words, as if deciding whether to let himself believe them. Then, without warning, he closed the distance between them, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was slow, deep, and utterly consuming.

Lila melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck as he pulled her closer. This kiss wasn't like the first—it was fuller, heavier, as though they were pouring all their unspoken fears and desires into each other.

When they finally broke apart, breathless, Sebastian rested his forehead against hers. "I'll try, Lila," he murmured. "For you, I'll try."

And in that moment, Lila knew he meant it.