The door shuts with a final click at the top of the stairs.

Abigail’s voice fades—laughing, tipsy, teasing Sam about god knows what—and then it’s just you and Sebastian.

Just the hum of the basement’s old heating unit, the soft crackle of a candle he lit when no one was looking, and that unspoken heat that’s been hanging between you two all night.

The couch creaks as you sit. Not because you meant to, but because your knees are already a little shaky from how long he’s been watching you.

He leans against the opposite wall—arms crossed, shirt wrinkled from the way he never sits still. One button undone too many. His hair’s messy like he ran a hand through it and forgot to fix it. His eyes haven’t left you since the others left.

You’re pretending to look casual, scrolling aimlessly on your phone. But you can feel him closing in.

The moment he speaks, it’s like the air bends around his voice.

“It’s my 24th birthday,” he says, soft and smug. “Means 24 kisses.”

You look up.

And he’s already walking toward you.

There’s no rush. He doesn’t need one.

He kneels in front of you like he’s tying your shoes—but he isn’t. He slides his hands up your thighs, slow and warm, and tugs you forward just enough that your breath stutters.

The first kiss lands on your lips like silk—but only for a second.

A tease.

You almost smile.

Then the second kiss hits you like a storm.

His mouth opens over yours, deep and consuming, tongue sliding against yours with a confidence that makes your whole body tense. His hands tighten on your waist. He sucks your bottom lip, pulls back just enough to let you gasp—and it wrecks you.

Your lips are tingling, wet. Your chest’s rising like you just ran.

You exhale shakily, eyes wide, heart pounding.

He doesn’t back off.

He just watches you.

Grinning.

Like he knows.

Like he knew this would happen the second he said "24."

“Two,” he murmurs, voice thick with heat and satisfaction.

He leans in, lips brushing the edge of your jaw—hovering, not quite kissing.

You flinch like it’s too much. Because it is.

You're already breathless.

And he’s amused, “only the 2nd one…22 to go, it’ll be quick…” he muttered, before the next one came