Page 58 of Release Me

“Did he tell you where you guys were going?”

“Some placed called Cream?”

She nods like she knows the place I’m talking about. Given that she’s lived in New Haven for most of her life, she probably does. “That’s a good choice for a first date. It’s upscale but not snooty. You’d be comfortable in something dressier like that leather midi skirt you just bought or a pair of nice jeans and a blouse.”

Grabbing my uneaten plate, I move over to the fridge and put it away. “Do you have my whole wardrobe memorized?”

“Just about,” she quips. “You’re not eating?”

“I’m saving it for later. I have to get ready for work.”

Truthfully, I should have been at work fifteen minutes ago double checking everything for the wine tasting event Elle, Ruthie and I have worked our ass off to make happen, but I didn’t want to kick Des out as soon as she got through the door.

“Oh yeah!” She exclaims, following me down the hall to my bedroom. “I forgot all about your event! Are you excited?”

“Excited is what I will be when it’s over.”

Planning this event hasn’t been hard per say, especially not with people like Ruthie and Elle on my team. But it has been daunting. Mostly because I’ve been doubting myself at every turn, letting little things like wait staff calling in sick or a glitch in the ticketing system make me feel like I couldn’t really pull it off.

Des plops down on the chaise in the corner of my bedroom near the closet, watching as I carry a few clothing options to the bed.

“That one,” she says, pointing to the last outfit sprawled out on my comforter. It’s the cream leather midi skirt she was just talking about paired with a camel colored cross neck halter top made from the same material. “It’s sexy and professional, and it will look good with the little up-do you have going on.”

The hairstyle in question is a low bun that’s settled at the nape of my neck with curtain bangs that frame my face and random, wavy tendrils set loose in random places to make the style appear effortless and sexy. I pick the top up and hold it to my body, turning towards the mirror to find that, as usual, Desiree’s clothing suggestion is spot on.

She watches me get dressed, giving her opinion on accessories and shoes, and then drops me off at Cerros, blowing me a kiss before pulling off into evening traffic. When I get to the kitchen, everything is in full swing and running smoothly, so I leave before Elle has the chance to kick me out, taking the hallway the servers use to the rooftop.

Mid-September air that’s warm with a little chill to it greets me, but that’s not the cause of the goosebumps popping up along my arm. No, that honor belongs to the man in front of me, standing by the door like he’s been waiting for me to walk through it. That honor belongs to the man in the suit as dark as his eyes are right now with his locs in a neat bun at the top of his head. That honor belongs to the hand he places on the small of my back and the kiss he plants on my cheek, to the gravel in his tone when he puts his lips at my ear and says, “You’re late.”

A full blown shiver runs down my spine, and I forget for a moment the conclusion I came to at my apartment less than an hour ago. The one where I decided I wasn’t special because as far as I can tell he treats every woman in his life like this. Despite that thought echoing in my mind, I find myself leaning into him, extending my neck to place a kiss that lands at the corner of his mouth and allows me to breathe in the perfection of his scent. Together, we’re a cloud of spices and flowers, a bubble of decadence begging to be indulged.

“Dinner doesn’t start until eight.”

I step back, trying to pop the bubble Sebastian seems determined to keep in tact. His hand follows my body’s retreat, maintaining firm pressure at the spot just above the curve of my ass.

“True, but all staff was supposed to be here at five.”

“I’m not staff, Sebastian, I’m the boss who came in at five with everyone else, troubleshot several staffing issues and did a full inventory check with Elle and Ruthie before going home to shower and get dressed.”

His eyes take on an odd glow that makes my insides turn to liquid. “Say that again.”

“Say what again?”

“You’re the boss.”

Heat washes over me, adding what I’m sure is a red tint to every inch of my skin. Sebastian tracks the change with his eyes, and I want to order him to look away and also ask him never to take his eyes off me again.

“No.”

“Nadia.”

A helplessly nervous laugh slips past my lips because there’s a part of me that wants to do exactly as he asks.“Sebastian, no. I have things to do.”

Using the hand on my back, he pulls me closer, until the amount of space between our bodies is so small it’s negligible. My breath leaves my lungs in a quiet whoosh as he gazes down at me, a playful smile on his lips.

“Those things can wait. I want to hear you say it again.”

“Why?”

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