Come As You Are (An Anne With An E/Sebastian 'Bash' Lacroix Fanfic)

16. Love Me Like You Do

I started unpacking my stuff in Bash's room. We had made the decision to sleep in the same room after getting back from Toronto. We hadn't gotten married quite yet but from our steadiness, I had no doubt that we would tie the knot in no time. Gilbert seemed a little opposed to it but it was our decision, not his.

Arms wrapped around my waist, causing me to jump. I sighed when I realized who it was. "Don't scare me like that, Bash."

His lips brushed against my neck. "I don't mean to, dear. I just want to be close to you."

I laughed, gripping his wrists. "There are a lot of ways to do that."

Bash kissed behind my ear. "Are you willing to do any of them soon?"

"Yes, if you're sweet about it," I replied.

He gripped me tighter. "I can do that if it means treating you well."

I turned around in his arms and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him. We made out, getting more heated by the moment. We mutually agreed to take it farther by stumbling backward to get to the bed. I fell backward once I hit the bed, taking Bash with me. We laughed, finally breaking apart.

Bash looked into my eyes a few seconds later after he finished laughing. "Are you ready for this?"

"Yes."

"You do realize people will look down on us, especially you, because you had premarital sex?" Bash clarified.

"Yes."

"And you're still ready for it?"

"Of course."

Bash kissed me again and started lifting up my skirt. I moaned into the kiss, a sound that seemed to turn Bash on more. As it got more heated, a sudden thought came to my mind.

I pushed Bash away. "Is the door shut?"

A pause and Bash got up. As he crossed the room, I started getting undressed. When Bash returned, I only had my underwear. I heard Bash coming back to me

"It's your turn, Mister," I said before Bash could get to me. "Get undressed. I'll wait."

Bash chuckled softly under his breath and I heard him start undressing. I waited, looking up to where I assumed Bash's head was. Soon the last article of clothing hit the floor and Bash started messaging my shoulders. I rolled my head back, chills running up my back.

"Please," I breathed.

"Anything for you," Bash muttered.

"Then get started."

----

Later that night, I laid in bed beside Bash, running my fingers up and down his chest. Our breathing was in sync like we were one person. Bash's fingers ran down my back, causing goosebumps to pop up.

"Thank you for that," I murmured. "I needed to know what it was like before I got married."

"Do you still want to?" Bash asked. "Get married?"

I shrugged. "I want to. I just want to finish school. I don't want to be pulled out of school just to do wife or motherly stuff. I want to be educated. I don't want to miss more school."

Bash kissed my forehead. "I would never pull you away from school. I would never marry you against your will. I will wait until you're ready."

I reached up and brushed Bash's chin. "Thank you. You are a kind man and I am so glad that you came into my life."

Bash placed a hand on mine, pressing it against his face. "Do you think your brother heard us?"

I laughed. "If he did, who cares? It doesn't matter to me. Does it bother you?"

One of his hands was buried into my hair. "Not at all."

I sat up suddenly. "Just so we're clear, this isn't going to be a nightly thing. It was only to see if I liked it and I do." I paused briefly. "Did you?"

Bash sat up too. "Yes, a lot. I will not force you to do anything without your consent. I am a gentleman. Forcing someone to do something against their will is against what my momma taught me."

"Will I ever get to meet your mother?" I asked. "I know she lives in Trinidad but maybe, just maybe, I could visit her. I want her to like me."

Bash rubbed my upper arm. "She will like you a lot. There isn't a fiber in my being that doesn't think she won't. Maybe one day we can go back to Trinidad. We will have to see what boat prices are but we can make do with that."

"I haven't been on a boat in a long time," I said, absentmindedly playing with a blanket. "I don't really like them but I do like the place it ends up. An exciting adventure that waits to be told."

"You're quite the adventurous one," Bash said. "Always doing things your own way."

"I never liked staying in one spot for long. I always had to be moving around," I said. "My father could never get me to sit still. He eventually gave up and let me roam free with Gilbert. We are twins after all. Inseparable until I went to the blind school. My adventurous spirit is what made me blind but I don't mind one bit. I can still do things myself and I am grateful for that. I can swim, I can walk, eat, climb trees. I am still alive and I am blessed."

"You have great insight into things." Bash's fingers brushed my cheek. "Even without sight, you can see."

I smiled, grabbing his hand to press it against my cheek. "My lack of sight has given me a sight no one can take away."

"You are truly an angel in every way possible, dear Aria. I am blessed to be graced with your presence."