Page 17 of Sebastian's Secret

“I mean it.” Her voice hardened. “If that’s the way you are, I’d really just enjoy dinner and leave it at that, Sebastian.”

“Understood.” A pang of guilt echoed in his gut. He despised the flicker of hurt in her eyes and any part he’d played in causing it. “I won’t do that again.”

“Good.” Placing down her glass, her delicate hand stretched across the white tablecloth. “I missed you.”

That was more like the woman he’d held and stroked until they fell asleep. His cock stirred at the scintillating memory.

“I missed you, too.” It was the truth. He’d thought of little else since he’d left the Ritz-Carlton. Rebecca, Rebecca, Rebecca—she’d been the reason he’d been out running in the first place. Reaching for her fingers, he caressed her skin gently. “There’s one thing, though.”

“What’s that?” Her gaze was following his fingertip.

“My brothers.”

“What about them?” She met his eyes, a glimmer of uncertainty lingering in hers.

“They’re…” Shit, how did he describe them? The Vaughn family had more secrets than most. “Complicated.”

She burst into laughter. “Now, there’s a switch.”

“I just mean, it would be better to keep what’s developing between us away from their prying eyes. For now, at least.”

Sebastian dreaded to think how Draco would react to the news he was dating, and even Cole would mock him mercilessly. He wasn’t sure if it was coincidence or not, but all of Michael’s sons seemed to have developed issues with commitment since they signed the family contract.

The irony was…none of them would have been likely to have done so, if not for the family pact. It seemed as though by wanting his sons to find that special person, his father had just about guaranteed that they never would.

“Fine with me.” She shrugged. “I certainly won’t be running to confide in Oliver.”

“Oliver?”

“My useless brother,” she clarified.

“Oh.” He squeezed her hand gently. “Right.”

“Anyway, whatever this is, it’s for us.” Rebecca’s tone was imploring. “It has nothing to do with our families.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Sebastian smiled, relieved they were in accord on the subject.

“Your pasta, Madam.” The waiter loomed, two huge plates in his hands.

Sebastian watched as Rebecca’s mushroom and seafood linguine was presented.

“It smells delicious,” she commented. “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.” The waiter lapped up her praise. “And for you, sir.” He placed down Sebastian’s choice, the waft of the meaty sauce goading his empty stomach to growl quietly.

“Thank you.” Sebastian met his eyes.

“Enjoy your food.”

Sebastian waited until he’d retreated before he lifted his wine glass into the air for a toast. “Here’s to second chances.”

“To second chances.” Licking her lips, Rebecca smirked as she reached for her own glass, clinking it lightly against his. “But how about this—to fucked-up families and the mess they leave behind.”

He couldn’t suppress his snigger as he chimed the side of his glass to hers. “To fucked-up families.”

No toast had ever sounded more pertinent.

Chapter Eight

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