Page 67 of Smolder

NO! Not thinking about it.

What I’d experienced was with Amory. The guy who didn’t exist. The one I’d trusted.

Sebastian Shephard was someone else.

His back was to me as he opened the oven and pulled out a pan of sliced French bread with melted butter. A pan of lasagna sat on the counter, and a glass bowl, filled with a salad, was beside it. My stomach rumbled. It seemed I was hungry. Eating had been the last thing on my mind until I walked down here to see this.

When I reached the bottom, Sebastian set the bread beside the other two items and lifted his eyes to meet mine. His gaze slowly made its way down my body, and I wished I could stop the tingle that spread through me and the flutter in my stomach. But he was beautiful and sexy, and he’d given me the best sex I’d ever had in my life.

He was also my abductor, and he did other things. I wasn’t sure what exactly. Drugs didn’t seem like something he was involved in, but he had no issue with killing a person. Organized crime was still crime.

What did the Mafia in Georgia actually do? And why hadn’t I known there was a Mafia in Georgia?

“Did you enjoy your shower? Find everything you need?” he asked, turning around to take plates from the cabinet. He seemed to know where everything was located.

“Yes. It’s well stocked. Do you kidnap girls and bring them here often?” I asked airily, as if making idle conversation.

Sebastian’s mouth did that cocky grin that also caused his eyes to twinkle. “No. You’re the first female I wanted to kidnap.”

That look and the sound of his voice when he said it made my nipples harden. Dammit. I should have worn a bra with this. I’d been thinking about escaping, not what I was wearing.

“I suppose you don’t have to kidnap your females. They all just run to you. Throwing themselves at your feet.”

Although I was being sarcastic, the image irked me. How often did women throw themselves at him? How many had he given an orgasm to, like he had with me?

“I don’t know about women throwing themselves at my feet, but, no, I can’t say I’ve ever struggled to get a female’s attention if I wanted it.”

Including me, I thought sourly.

“Hungry? I didn’t make the lasagna, but I did cook it. Hopefully, it tastes as good as it smells.”

Not anymore. Talking about other women had taken my appetite. I was annoyed with myself. I wanted to just shut it off. Feel nothing for him. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I’d had sex with him, but I couldn’t even blame it on that. He’d gotten to me before. Then, he’d snatched the rug out from under me.

“Are you hiding a chef in the basement?” I asked.

He chuckled. “I had several meals prepared and delivered with the other things.”

“Seems very thorough and thought out,” I replied, walking over to the table made for only two people.

“I wanted you to be comfortable.”

It had been a waste of time and resources because I was leaving tonight. He’d have all the comfortable necessities to himself.

There was a pang in my chest. Part of me didn’t want to leave him. I wanted to stay. See if the man I thought he was actually existed. But I’d already been stupid and naive with him. I couldn’t do that again.

“Are you going to tell me where we are? That would help. It’s not comforting to have no idea what state you’re even in.” If I had that information, it would help.

Sebastian took a plate that he’d filled and walked around the counter toward me. I tore my gaze off him, not wanting to admire the way he moved or how his jeans fit him. How the muscles in his arms flexed. Nope. Not thinking about it.

He stopped close to me. Too close. “Have a seat,” he said gently as he put the plate on the table and pulled out a chair.

God, why did he have to smell so good?

I kept my eyes averted as I took the chair from him and sat down. The food once again made my stomach rumble. It had been a while since I’d had anything to eat, and this did look good.

Sebastian’s fingers brushed my shoulder as he pulled back my still-slightly-damp locks back. I tensed and held my breath as he traced the neckline of my camisole.

“I know you’re angry. But don’t hate me. I couldn’t take it if you hated me.”

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