Page 93 of In Love with the Devil

"Can I help you?" If I could kill him with my eyes I would. Asshole.

"Did you ever read the cards?

"Yes."

"I mean it. I don't know what got into me. I'm sorry."

I sigh. "Mr. Alacaraz, please, let's just keep it professional from now on."

"Right, of course. I'll let you get back to work."

The week after, he starts showing up at the same restaurant where Cristian and I eat lunch. I can't blame him, the place does have the best food in the hotel, and perhaps he got tired of eating in his office. My cheeks burn with annoyance every time I findhim there. Why do I feel naked when he's around? Why do I feel like he's looking at me throughout the entire lunch hour?

One Months Later

There is an undeniable current of chemistry between Sebastian and I. We never talk except for the occasional greeting but I can feel him nearby before I see him. It's routine now. My eyes automatically search for him in the restaurant, our gazes meet then the glee on his facepulls a smile out of me. Of course I never let him see me smiling, I turn away.

"Why don't you give him a chance?" Cristian breaks the spell.

"Because… It wouldn't be professional."

Cristian nods but we both know I'm full of shit. We both know I'm attracted to Sebastian. Despite my response, despite Sebastian always staying a certain distance away from me, I feel like he's slowly burning down my will and boundaries. I rake my nails through my hair and sigh at the thought, hoping it's just the loneliness. We spend the rest of lunch joking and talking about Cristian's dating life but the whole time, I can feel his gaze on my back.

It's almost eight when I hear knocking on my office door. Slowly, it opens to reveal Sebastian. "How did I know you would still be here on a Friday night?"

"Because you know I take my job seriously."

"I'm leaving tomorrow. The Buenos Aires location has been needing my presence for a month now. I can't delay it anymore. But… I was hoping to take you out for dinner. Unless… you have other plans?"

"Oh." The disappointment leaks through the syllable and I know he notices because he smiles. I don't want him to leave. I want to keep playing our little silent game. I want the game to keep distracting me from the truth, from Julian. "I see."

He turns around to leave.

"Sebastian, wait. I'm… actually very hungry."

At the end of dinner, our conversation full of jokes reaches an intense silence but we are comfortable in it while we stare at each other. It's a miracle that I don't jump out of my skin when his palm covers mine on the table.

"Who are you running from?"

I pull my hand away. "Who says I'm running?"

"If you’re in some sort of trouble, I can help."

"I'm not in trouble."

"Then why are you so scared? Why did you move to Mexico?"

The questions are angering me. "Because I felt like it. What are you–"

"I'm–I like you Astoria. Okay? Really like you. And I know all this attitude you've been giving me is just a front."

"I'm really tired." I stand and Sebastian follows me out of the restaurant.

I'm rushing away from him when he calls my name. "Astoria, wait." His hand lands on my shoulder. I tense and gasp at the touch. That night, when Julian grabbed me from behind and spanked me until I was nearly dead… The memories blast through my mind in an instant. It’s happening again. I don’t know how much time has passed when I turn to him, hoping he didn't notice that all my alarm bells went off when his hand touched my shoulder. But I can see it on his face, he did notice.Fuck.

"Can I call you?"

"What?"

---