Chapter 0038

"Oh, I'm definitely winning this." I shoot back as we approach the starting line.

Dad fires the starter pistol. We explode forward, scrambling up the first obstacle—a brutal test of upper body strength. Sebastian's muscles give him the edge, pulling ahead.

The next challenge is all about balance. This is where I shine. While he stumbles and has to recover, I surge past him with ease.

Then comes the aerial bars—core strength meets precision. I feel him gaining on me. Without hesitation, I forgo the standard grip and dive through a ring instead, catching the next bar mid-air. The risky move pays off as I land on the ramp first.

Swinging obstacles launch from the walls next. We dodge in perfect sync, crossing this section neck and neck.

The rope ladder stretches nearly to the ceiling. We scale it in seconds, then race across a razor-thin beam. Both of us wobble dangerously before leaping onto the slide.

We hit the ground running.

Our hands slam the finish buzzer simultaneously. A tie.

Panting hard, we collapse onto the mats. I sprawl on my back while Sebastian sits with his arms draped over bent knees. Our laughter mixes with ragged breaths.

"Good match," Dad calls. "Meet me inside when you've recovered."

Sebastian recovers first. He looms over me, those mesmerizing sage green eyes glinting. "Seems we're perfectly matched, little wolf."

I grin up at him. "I almost had you beat."

"Almost doesn't count, gorgeous." His lips crash onto mine before I can retort. My fingers immediately tangle in his hair.

Encouraged, he deepens the kiss. A soft moan escapes me when he nips my lower lip, demanding entry. Our tongues battle briefly before he dominates, one hand sliding beneath my tank top.

Electric pleasure shoots through me as his fingers graze bare skin. A possessive growl vibrates through his chest when he discovers my hardened nipples beneath my sports bra.

He shifts closer, his body pressing flush against mine. The hard length straining against his jeans presses into my thigh—impressively large even through layers of fabric. My breath hitches when his thumb circles a peaked nipple.

"Sebastian—"

His teeth scrape my claiming spot, making me stiffen. He pulls back instantly. "I know. We should stop." His thumb flicks my nipple again, drawing another gasp. "But fuck, you smell incredible."

The hunger in his eyes makes me whimper. With a tortured groan, he wrenches away.

"Up, little wolf. Any longer like this and I'll skip dinner to feast on you instead." He hauls me upright, adjusting my top with trembling hands.

Cradling my face, he delivers one last searing kiss. "You'll be the death of me." Hand in hand, he leads us back to the house, his arousal still evident in every tense line of his body.