Page 45 of Bastian

“You were always a terrible liar.” His breath on my face feels like a painful memory. Whiskey, cigar, and mint. His scent.

“And that’s where you and I differ. You’re a pro at lying.” He was. He lies so well, even his eyes do, because something in those blue-gray eyes of his shift from angry to sad, and I instantly feel a pang in my chest.

Damnit.

“I see you’re not ready for the truth but know it’s there waiting for you whenever you are.”

“I don’t care for your truths, so don’t waste your breath, because quite frankly, I do not give a fuck.”

Then suddenly, I’m being forced onto his shoes, taking me back to a time I tried really fucking hard to erase from my memory, and this tyrannical, egotistical asshole is determined to remind me of.

Pushing him back, I try to fight him off, but he’s much stronger. He holds me tightly in his arms, bringing us closer to where we’re mere inches apart. Stay strong… he can’t hurt you if you won’t let him. “Watch your mouth.” He snaps.

Fuck him.

Fuck him for stirring feelings in me when I’ve been fighting to keep my head above water for so long because of him.

All because of him.

Now, all I thought is not what it seemed, and I do not know what to do but to attack.

Because isn’t that what all wounded animals do?

Well, some lie down and die and others fight.

They fight for their survival.

“I won’t say it twice, Sebastian. Let me go.”

“Not happening, darling.” His voice is so tender, so full of lies. I can’t breathe. Fuck, it’s like a knife to my gut. “I did that once, and it was the biggest mistake of my life. I don’t regret anything I’ve done, before you came along. Not one single thing but that day. Those words I utter to you. There’s no chance it will happen again. I suggest you stop hoping for it because you’ll be sorely disappointed with the outcome.”

“Release me.” Christ, let go of me. This hurts. This closeness burns. Set me free from this hold you still have on me. Love. Hate. It ties me to him in every way.

From over his shoulders, I watch as Benjamin steps forward with a frown on his face and concern in his eyes. “You may step back, Banning.” Sebastian doesn’t look his way when he orders Benjamin. His blue-gray eyes remain on me. “I got it from here.” The menacing way he says this freezes me on the spot. He’s never sounded so harsh to Benjamin. Not like he does now as a rival and not his most trusted man.

Shit.

Does he know that Benjamin was the one who helped me disappear and stay hidden for these three years?

Looking up, my eyes clash with his. No longer sad or filled with remorse but angry, annoyed, and the one that pisses me off more…

Hungry.

The world ceases to exist around us, and at the same time, my heart beat slows, beating softly, almost like a song that only Sebastian knows.

God, how corny.

“If you don’t care about me, darling. If I mean nothing to you, then give me this dance. Unless you’re afraid...” His face inches closer, his breath fanning over me, putting me in a spell. The fact that he seems to be caught up in the same spell as me makes me feel as if I, too, still have a hold on him.

The thought irks me just as much as it thrills me.

Because I know better.

My barely functioning heart knows better than to trust this.

Trust him.

“Oh, please Sebastian. What is there to fear? The worst thing you could have done to me… you did.” I tell him and I don’t miss the way he cringed as if my words slapped him in the face. “One dance.” I narrow my eyes, giving in to his demand and ignoring the fact that I still can’t dance for shit. Sebastian guides me, not caring that my heels are digging into his leather shoes.

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