Page 77 of Bastian

Sebastian.

Mostly, fucking Sebastian, who has me second-guessing myself and everything I thought I knew. All I planned for so long.

Yes, that is it.

Nothing more.

Two days and then I’ll be back in Washington, but first, I need to get this spread for the magazine, and at the moment, the man I am meeting here is a Latin sensation that’s gone international breaking every record known in the music industry.

To me, he is a pain in the ass, but I always put my feelings aside for business. Business is business, and I can act like the guy doesn’t salsa dance on my last nerves on the rare occasions we’ve met. “Welcome to Greece, Miss.” The softly spoken, heavily accented words are spoken by my driver. A tall, tanned man with caramel hair and a nice smile. Young, too. About my age. See, this is the type of man I should be interested in, but no. My foolish heart had to fall for the devil himself. An older man and the daddy of all daddies. Okay, that is cringe. I need a drink as soon as possible, I blame it on the long flight.

“Thank you.” I nod in gratitude, not missing the way his eyes travel down my body in appreciation. For so long, men’s lustful gazes always felt icky. They made me feel like I was an object and nothing more, but this stranger’s eyes don’t make me feel that way at all.

“Let me get those for you.” He murmurs, then grabs my bags, and I watch him place them on the trunk, then quickly come back to my side and open the back door for me. I step inside the vehicle, ready to get to my destination as fast as possible, finish the job, and go back home. I haven’t had a vacation in… well, I can’t recall the last time I went somewhere for pleasure instead of work.

Taking a deep breath, I watch the magical place around me from the car’s window, and we haven’t even gotten to the hotel yet. I concentrate on what awaits me when I get there instead of allowing the traitorous memories of last night to plague my mind.

Nope.

That’s my problem with Sebastian. He is like a bad cough. He appears out of nowhere and takes a long fucking time to get out of your system, and in most cases, it never leaves.

“Damn you…” I breathe out when my phone pings with a notification.

Ella: Hi, mommy! Benji gave me your number, and I wanted to say hi! So, hi! I miss you already! I hope you have the bestest time while away in Paradise!

The biggest smile forms on my face when I read the text message that came through the moment I found service. During the plane flight, I couldn’t check my messages, and no new ones came through.

I type back, while my driver gets me to my location.

I left early in the morning, so early that I knew Sebastian wouldn’t be up, so I could make my escape without him noticing. I woke up Ellaiza and told her where I was going and that I’ll be back soon. I am glad Benjamin gave Ella my number. Now she will be able to call or text me whenever she wants.

I don’t intend to miss anything else. She also made me promise to send pictures religiously throughout my stay in Greece, which I am fine to oblige.

Me: Thank you, my girl. I’ll see you soon. xoxo

Me: Misbehave for daddy, okay?

Three dots appear on my screen letting me know she’s typing. That kid is texting like a grown-up already. I also knew the paranoid tyrant would give her a phone as soon as she was able to manage it.

Ella: I will!

Grinning, I send her a dozen heart emojis, which she returns with more of her own. God, how is this happening? I don’t know how it happened, but I am more than happy I got this chance.

There’s nothing and no one I love more in this world than Ellaiza Kenton, besides my sisters, but that’s a sad story that I don’t intend to dwell on now that I have this second chance.

“Umm, sir.” I looked up from my phone at the driver.

The nice-looking driver looks at me through the rearview mirror. “Ares.”

“Excuse me?” I ask.

Smiling, the man says, “My name is Ares.”

“Oh, yes, of course.” Ares. Sounds fitting for someone who looks like one of those famous Greek sculptures in rich people’s homes. “Ares, do you know where I can do some shopping? I need a few things.”

Ares’ smile widens, “Yes, I do. Do you want to go now or…?”

“If it’s possible, yes, I would like to go now.” I mutter.

---