seven » you’re my wce

07

WCE.

In which Mira is Sebastian's woman crush every day.

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WHEN I WOKE UP THE NEXT morning, the only trace of Sebastian that was left in my bedroom was the scent of his cologne. My pillows even smelt like him.

I noticed that I was no longer in my dress, but adorned in a pair of my tracksuits and a thick jumper. I had a vague memory of changing myself, so no alarm bells were ringing in my head.

My eyelids felt heavy and my nose felt blocked when I sniffed. It only took me around two seconds to deduce that I had caught a cold. Rolling in my covers, I groaned as I reached for my phone to call my manager. There was no way I could work in a restaurant whilst I was sick.

And after a while of laying in bed, Ada walked into my bedroom, holding a coffee cup as she looped earrings into her ears. "I'm heading out—," she paused when she saw my state. "Now. Mira, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I dismissed with a wave of my hand. "I just caught a cold from somewhere."

I threw the covers off my body, sighing in relief when I realised I was wearing thick socks. Walking around bare feet in the winter was never a good idea since the floor was always so cold.

"Okay. I'll see if I can get you some Ben & Jerry's on my way home from work. Cookie dough?"

I gave her an eager smile and nodded. "Please. You're the best, Ada."

She flicked her hair and laughed. "I know I am."

Once I closed the door behind her, I retrieved my blankets and proceeded to cocoon myself in front of my TV. I had decided to watch Daredevil on Netflix when Ada's laptop screen caught my eye.

Are Sebastian Harrington and Mira Casey more than a fling?

The photos that were attached to the article were mainly from the charity dinner, but one photo had zoomed in on Sebastian's neck where you could see where his hickey began.

'Close sources to Mira Casey say that Sebastian is often seen entering her shared apartment at night, sometimes with Mira, and sometimes alone.'

I rolled my eyes at the thought of my nosey neighbours. This kind of attention was very foreign to me. If I really thought about it, I had only known Sebastian for a week. But, the amount of time I spent with him made it feel like I knew him for months.

Granted that in 3 more weeks, the cuddle pact would be over, and we probably would go our separate ways. If I had taken the £100,000, Sebastian wouldn't have been in my life for more than two days, and everything would've gone back to normal.

'The charity dinner for Better Tomorrow was a huge success as many A-listers attended and millions were raised. Sebastian Harrington has always been an admirable person, and many fellow celebrities are taking to Twitter to commend his wholehearted actions and heartfelt speech at the dinner. He is among many other celebrities that have given to charity so much, and anyone he dates is lucky to have him.'

I felt the smile make its way onto my face before I could stop it, and Sebastian flooded my thoughts. Of course, he wasn't the first celebrity to use his wealth for other people, but if he wasn't working, he was constantly using his money for good.

I had gotten through three episodes before my stomach began to growl, and at the same time, my phone rang. Sebastian's caller ID flashed on my phone and I picked it up almost instantly.

"Hello?"

"You sound different, what's wrong?

"I caught a cold." On cue, a sneeze followed after my words. Being sick had to be the worst feeling in the world.

"Shit." He cursed. "Maybe we shouldn't have kissed when I was sick. I'm sorry."

Walking towards my kitchen, I began to make myself a cup of tea as I held my phone with my shoulder pressed closer to my ear. "Now I can spend all day watching Matt Murdock fight crime, and look hot whilst doing it."

"Ooh," he sang childishly. "Mira has a crush."

On you mostly.

"He's my MCE. That's man-crush every day if you didn't catch on."

His laugh reached my ears. "I caught on. But, I'm a bit disappointed that I'm not your MCE. I could've sworn that I won you over with my pickup lines."

I scoffed playfully. "You seem to be slacking, Sebastian. You're not so professional now."

"Well, with your cooking skills, you're my WCE."

In a cliche way, my heart skipped a beat and I swallowed harshly, which caused me to wince since I had a sore throat. "If you saw how I look right now, I definitely wouldn't be your WCE."

"I was going to have lunch alone today, but how about I grab something for you and keep you company?"

"So I can get you sick again?"

A laugh passed his lips. "My immune system is a big boy, and besides why would I want to deprive you of some more of my pickup lines?"

"Fine," I relented. "I'm trusting you, so pick something good."

"Anything for my WCE." He chuckled before cutting the call off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

He folded his suit jacket over the back of my couch and set the bags of food down on my coffee table. "I know how much you love dipping your chips into ice cream, so I got you two bags and a variety of ice cream flavours." He took a seat beside me. "I got you some proper food too."

I peeked through my blankets, bringing my legs closer to my body to give him more space. "Thank you."

Finally sending a glance my way, Sebastian looked as if he was holding in a laugh when he realised that I was covering my whole body with the blankets and that all that was visible to him was my hair and eyes.

He reached towards me, letting a chuckle fall from his lips. "Why are you hiding?" he questioned, pouting when I gripped the blankets tightly. "You've seen me sick."

"I'm doing this for your benefit," I mumbled. "I've been sneezing nonstop."

He backed away, holding up his hands. "I'll stay on this side of the couch, then. Just eat something."

Another sneeze shook my body and I retrieved a couple of tissues. "Don't look at me." Sprinkling my chips with salt, I opted to eat one pack without the ice cream.

Sebastian simply laughed. "You really don't look any different."

Once I had managed to finish all of the food, I had a slight brain freeze. I noticed that Ada's laptop was still opened, but the screen had turned off. Sebastian's relationship status had me thinking.

"Sebastian?" I called out to get his attention. "What happens when the cuddle pact ends?"

He took his eyes off the television, frowning lightly when he met my gaze. "We'll still be friends, Mira. I already feel like you're my best friend."

There's that word again.

I sighed, knowing that I shouldn't expect anything from Sebastian. Nodding, I turned back to watching The Walking Dead.

"And besides, the cuddle pact won't last forever. Your life will continue, you'll get a boyfriend, and I doubt he'll like me in your bed every night. But, I'd still make time for you even though I don't have a lot of free time."

I gave him a short smile, semi satisfied with his answer.

"You're tired. Come here." He placed his burger down with a sullen sigh, taking his shoes off and outstretching his arms with a pensive expression on his face. "How did you sleep last night?" Patiently waiting for me to untangle myself from my blankets, his thick eyebrows were pulled low on his face when I began to move slowly.

"I slept," I answered, watching him position his long legs across my couch and leaving a space in between them for me to nestle in. My head rested against his chest and I could just about feel a faint heartbeat. His arms wound around my body and he shuffled closer to the back of the couch. "Felt the same as usual." I continued upon realising that wasn't the answer he was looking for.

"Have you ever been to see a doctor?"

"Yes. But, sleeping pills only make me feel like I've been knocked out, and not well-rested."

There was a silence that filled the air, and I could feel Sebastian's fingers smooth down the hairs closer to my eyebrows. It felt a little too personal, but he seemed to have picked up a few things that helped me fall asleep quicker. As I felt my eyes droop, a knock on the door sounded through my living room, and I released a heavy sigh.

I gently kicked off the covers from our bodies, sending him an apologetic glance as I moved to get up. A gentle hand on my shoulder stopped me as he slid from under me. "I'll see who it is, just make yourself comfortable."

My head fell to the couch once more as I shut my eyes. It was nearing two o'clock and I knew Sebastian would have to go back to work shortly. He returned with a sigh. "You have got to speak to your neighbours. There are two cameramen outside."

Annoyance brewed deep within me and I nodded with a sniff. "I'll do that tomorrow."

Instead of sitting down like I expected him to, Sebastian manoeuvred his arms under me before I was lifted into the air. Since he was quite tall, I was hoisted high in the air, which caused me to quickly wrap my arms around his neck.

"You seem to carry me a lot." I murmured into his neck as he proceeded to walk to my bedroom.

"Because you're tired," he paused for a moment. "I mean you're always tired, so I try to make you sleep whenever I can." He lowered me onto my bed. "I'll get your blankets, wait here."

Within seconds, he returned with all my blankets and draped them over me before he tucked me in. Climbing under the covers, he laid down and eased my upper body onto his. "Sweet dreams, pumpkin."

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Sir, I have your laptop and a spare shirt to your request." A feminine voice reached my ears, and I felt the bed bounce as Sebastian responded.

"Thank you, Rachel. Anyone that calls that isn't from Search Inc. can leave a message, and I'll get back to them. That's all."

Opening my eyes, I caught a brunette leaving my room as Sebastian stood up from the bed. He unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it from his shoulders, unbeknownst to the fact that I was no longer sleeping.

Tanned and toned skin was exposed to me, the taut muscle of his back straining as he stretched his arms out. My few seconds of heaven were cut short once he slipped on a flannel.

Our gazes met and I almost squealed at the embarrassment of being caught when he smirked. "I didn't have you pegged as a peeping Tom."

His hands moved to his hips, which pushed back his unbuttoned flannel and showcased his abs. Heat flared my cheeks once he stared at me watching him.

Fuck. He was definitely more than adorable.

"I told you my middle name should be sexy."

Feeling enough embarrassment for one day, I pulled the covers over my eyes. "Button your shirt, Sebastian."

"I think I should see you without a shirt to make it fair."

The way he said it so casually pulled a loud laugh from me and I threw the covers off me. "You know what? It's up to you whether you want to button your shirt."

I proceeded to leave my room, feeling better than I did earlier. My cold was still apparent, but that nap did me well. Glancing at the clock that was nailed to the wall, I saw that it was 4:30, which meant I had slept for 2 hours and a half.

Sebastian followed in my pursuit with a guffaw. "So," he drawled playfully. "What do you want to do?"

I chucked him a glance over my shoulder, seeing he had buttoned up his flannel. "Well, I wanted to bake."

"I've been waiting for so long for you to say that." He threw his head back with a groan. "Baking is the one thing I can actually do well in the kitchen."

I arched an eyebrow, throwing my hair into a high ponytail before I washed my hands. "Don't you have work to do?"

He shook his head as he leaned against my countertop. He effortlessly looked like he just walked out of a GQ men's magazine. "I told you I'd always make time for you."

I felt my heart soar and I quickly turned around so he wouldn't see my cheesy grin. Retrieving the ingredients, I bit my bottom lip as I turned back to face Sebastian. "Chocolate cake?"

He nodded eagerly and he almost reminded me of a child when he asked to whisk everything. I chuckled and stepped aside when his hand curled around the whisker.

"I look forward to our time together," he confessed, sending me a small smile. "I spend nearly all my time working, but when I set time aside to see you, it gives me an opportunity to check up on my family because God knows that I need to spend more time with them."

The corners of my lips lifted into an almost shy smile. "Other than Ada and Nate, you're probably my only friend that I see a lot."

"You should get to know James," he suggested. "He's incredibly funny and is similar to you in ways."

Once I deemed his whisking to be enough, I eased the bowl from his fingers and quickly buttered the cake pan before pouring the batter into it and putting it into the preheated oven.

"I think it goes without saying that I get to lick the bowl clean."

I scoffed, gripping the bowl tightly and turning my back to him. "You're so wrong."

"Mira," he warned as I swiped my finger on the corner of the bowl. "Come on, sharing is caring."

I ignored him, a surprised yelp falling from my lips when he lifted me in the air and spun me around. I laughed when he took my surprise as an opportunity to grab the bowl and hold it over his head.

"Sebastian," I whined, hearing him laugh uncontrollably. He was using his height to his advantage.

"Mira," he mimicked childishly, "you weren't caring so I think I can have this to myself."

I took to the last resort, reaching out my fingers to tickle him, but his expression dropped and he looked incredulous. "Did you just try to tickle me?"

Certainly shocked when he began to laugh, I relentlessly tickled him as he gasped for air after he quickly placed the bowl down. Licking the bowl was forgotten once I decided that his laugh was heaven to my ears.

He slid to the floor and within moments, he was on his back and I had straddled his hips to continue tickling him. Tears pooled at his eyes and all I saw was him grinning wide as he laughed hard, writhing on the floor.

"Okay, stop!" he breathlessly panted, guffawing and reaching towards my hands. "Mira, please!"

He gripped my hands tightly and caught his breath slowly whilst a sheen of red covered his face from laughing so hard. He looked up at my grinning expression, releasing a wheezy laugh as I laughed with him.

"That has got to be the best thing I've seen all day."

Sighing whilst he caught his breath, he leaned up on his elbow, not bothering to move me from his lap. "Don't ever do that again." He placed a hand to his chest and grinned lazily. "Fuck, that was painful."

I saw a dangerous glint in his eye, and quickly stood up and backed away. "I'll sneeze or cough on you if you tickle me."

He slowly raised himself back into his feet, taking a deep inhale. "I'm definitely going to take that chance."

Within seconds, his hands were everywhere and I was gripping onto his shirt tightly as strings of laughter fell from my lips. Just like he was, I was gasping for air, feeling him scoop me into the air bridal style whilst he continued his attack with one hand.

I held onto him for dear life, not wanting to fall in the midst of my bouts of laughter. "Sebastian!" I gasped. "I'm sorry!"

"Do I get to lick the bowl clean?"

"Yes! Yes!" I desperately laughed, feeling him stop. His dark chocolate eyes met mine and he smiled softly.

"Don't start something you won't finish." He told me, his voice holding playful undertones.

I stared up at him and eased up my grip on his shirt, pressing down the creases I created before I nodded. "Noted," I frowned lightly. "Take the bowl before I change my mind."

He placed me down onto my feet before taking the bowl with a deep laugh. His steps were spread out when he proceeded to go to the living room. He tilted his head over his shoulder before sending a wink my direction.

Damn.

When the cake was ready, I pulled it from the oven and took out the necessities to decorate it. After Sebastian took the bowl to the living room, he got a call from what I guessed was Search Inc, and his voice had turned business-like.

I had noticed that around me, his voice was never stern, but when he became the Sebastian Harrington, a serious expression instantly painted his face and there were no playful undercurrents to his voice.

Once I was satisfied with how I decorated the cake, I cut us both a piece and went to join him. When he met my gaze, he quickly held up a finger that was accompanied by an apologetic look.

"Just remember that this deal is for your benefit. If I feel, in any way, that it will negatively affect my company, I will revoke the offer before you can even blink."

He cut the call and I blew out a breath. "I wouldn't want to get on your bad side."

Smiling, I handed him his plate and he licked his lips hungrily. "You're literally my favourite person in the world right now."

I hummed in acknowledgement, thinking about what he had said to me a few days prior. 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.' Of course, I knew that if he wasn't a relationship man, I couldn't change that or him, but since I accepted my crush on him, I knew that for as long as he was in my life, I would have feelings for him.

He took a bite into his slice and groaned. "Fuck, that tastes amazing. Are you sure you don't want to be my personal chef?"

"Isn't that position already taken?" I chuckled.

"You're definitely a better cook, and if I could have this whenever I wanted to, then you'd get the job within seconds."

He picked a show to play as conversation flowed between us. I learnt more about him, more specifically about his family. His sister, who James had told me gave birth recently, had a baby boy, and Sebastian had a niece he absolutely adored.

"She's my world," he smiled. "I spoil her rotten despite what my brother tells me."

Our position had changed, and my head was situated on his lap as I laid on the couch. He glanced down at me, his alluring brown eyes holding mine. Sebastian was definitely my type. His dark features were so attractive to me.

Our mini staring contest was interrupted at the sound of keys jingling into the door. Seconds after, Ada entered the apartment, smiling at the sight of us.

"I thought you'd be here." Ada greeted Sebastian and held up the Morrison's bag. "I also got your cookie dough." She paused and sniffed the air. "Please tell me that's chocolate cake I smell."

"It tastes fucking amazing," Sebastian informed her, grinning toothily. "Mira is something different."

Ada placed my Ben & Jerry's on the coffee table, speed walking to the kitchen. "Food is always a priority!"

I laughed before silence reclaimed its throne in the room. My eyes were focused on the television programme that was displayed on my TV, Sebastian fingers once again threading through my hair.

"I love your hair, which is why I always play with it." He smiled down at me. "And it helps you fall asleep quicker."

I closed my eyes in bliss, steadying my breathing and thinking that he could probably hear my heart and how fast it was beating. I couldn't say that this was a 'more than friends' gesture because Nate used to do this, and I didn't feel an ounce for him other than the love I had for him as a friend.

"Mira? Have you ever thought about opening your own restaurant?"

Opening my eyes, I answered him almost instantly. "Yes, but I've never had the courage to do it, and besides, I just got a job."

"I could always help you." He shrugged. "With my business expertise, you'd have a successful restaurant, and you'd be able to live out your dream."

He had to be the most caring person I had ever met.

"I'll think about it."

He pulled me up so that I was positioned on his lap and I felt incredibly safe when his arms wrapped around me whilst my head rested on his shoulder. "Thank you for today. That was the most I've laughed in a long time."

"No problem."

Before I succumbed to my tiredness, I felt his lips press to my cheek, leaving my skin tingling with feelings I knew he didn't feel at all.