Page 439 of Billionaire Temptations

“What can I do for you, Eli?” I asked as we walked to the door.

“I was hoping to speak with you for a moment about Sebastian.”

“I don’t want to talk about him.”

Sliding the key into the lock, I opened the door and invited him in.

“I know, and I don’t blame you, but I need you to hear what I say.”

“I’m about to make some tea. Would you like some?”

“Only if it’s green.” He smiled.

“Yeah! My kind of man. Green tea it is.”

Eli took a seat at the table while I prepared the tea. Nothing he could say would make me change my mind about Sebastian. But I owed him the courtesy of hearing him out.

“Look, I’m not defending him at all, and what he did last night was totally crossing the line, but I know he deeply cares for you.”

“He has a funny way of showing it.” I poured the water into the cups.

“I’m going to tell you something about him. He’s had it rough since the day he was born. He had to fight for everything in his life. He was determined to climb out of the trenches and make something of himself.”

“That’s no excuse for violence,” I spoke as I set his cup of tea down in front of him.

“I agree. Sebastian is a good man, and he has a good heart.”

“Heart of stone.” I interrupted.

“True, but only where women are concerned.”

“Why? Did he have an ex-lover who cheated on him or something?”

“No. If only it were that simple. He’s never allowed himself to get close to anyone. He’s allowed the scars of his past to keep him closed off from everything except his business.”

“What happened to him?”

“It’s not my place to tell you, but I’ve known him since we were young boys.”

I sighed. “Eli, why are you here? To tell me that he couldn’t help punching Corey because of his past?”

“No, Chloe. I’m here to tell you that he really cares for you, and you need to reach out to him. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone before.”

“You mean punching people out?”

“No.” He smirked. “You’ve affected him in ways I never thought possible. He’s happy when you’re around. And that’s something I haven’t seen very much in his life.”

I got up from the table and stood behind the kitchen counter. “Well, he’s the one who shut me out and then had the nerve to punch my ex-boyfriend—who’s gay, by the way—because we were dancing.”

Eli walked over to me and placed his hand on mine.

“Just give it some thought, Chloe. He’s a broken man, and I do believe you are the only person in this world who can put him back together. I wouldn't be here if I didn’t feel so strongly about that. Thanks for the tea.” He turned, and as he started to walk away, he looked back at me. “Please don’t ever tell him we had this conversation.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

Sebastian

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