Page 24 of Wild Tangled Hearts

Sebastian laughs, the sound blending with the restaurant’s ambiance, and he fills his plate. I can’t help but notice how much he seems to enjoy the food. His appetite surprises me, and I can’t resist teasing, “Wow, you can really put it away.”

He wipes his mouth with a napkin. “I have a fast metabolism.”

“Clearly,” I say. “I doubt there’s an ounce of fat on you. Just lean muscle and sinew.”

Sebastian’s dark gaze goes serious, and he gives me a smoldering look. “And you can tell all that without even seeing it in full detail?”

Heat rises in my cheeks as I realize he’s playing along with my banter. I can’t help but respond with a sly grin, “I appreciate the male form in all its glory.”

He raises an eyebrow, his smile growing wider. “Is that so?”

I nod, unable to suppress a subtle squirm in my seat as he holds my gaze with a look that sends a shiver down my spine, making my belly clench and heat pool between my legs.

Before the charged atmosphere between us can escalate further, our waiter interrupts, clearing his throat and placing the check on the table.

Sebastian quickly reaches for the bill, but I shake my head.

“No, it’s my treat tonight,” I insist. He opens his mouth to protest, but I hold up a finger, cutting him off. “You can get the next one.”

Sebastian relents, his lips curling into a fond smile. “Alright. Only because it guarantees another date with you.”

I can’t stop smiling as we step out of the restaurant into the cool evening air. I take Sebastian’s hand, leading him through the charming streets towards Harrison Park.

His fingers intertwine with mine, and his touch feels perfect — warm, sensual, and familiar.

Nothing about our connection makes sense. We’re like two puzzle pieces from separate boxes, originating from different backgrounds, different worlds, almost. Yet, somehow we match. He’s easy to talk to, and there’s no denying the chemistry between us. It’s an electric current that crackles in the air, drawing me in with every stolen glance, every touch.

There’s something about those dark, intoxicating eyes of his that pull me in, but it also leaves me with a nagging curiosity. I can’t shake the feeling that there are secrets hidden beneath that polished exterior, waiting to be uncovered.

But I'm content to savor the moment and let the night unfold naturally.

As we approach the park, the sounds of country music drift through the air, drawing us closer to a bandstand where a small concert is in full swing. The stage is bathed in warm, golden light, and the twang of guitars and heartfelt lyrics fill the air.

“Do you like country music?” I ask, nodding towards the bandstand.

“Of course," he admits, surprising me.

“Really?” My brows shoot up. “I’d have thought you’d be more of a jazz guy.”

He chuckles, a low and charming sound, as he pulls me closer, molding our bodies together, and we dance. “I like jazz. But country has a time and place. Like now.” He leans down, and his lips brush against mine.

A rush of sensations floods through me. His mouth is tender, yet there’s an undeniable hunger in his kiss that sends shivers down my spine. Heat pools within me as his tongue delicately parts my lips, his touch both confident and gentle.

I’m breathless when he pulls back. Those dark, magnetic eyes pierce through me with a smoldering look that leaves no doubt in my mind — he wants more than just that kiss.

I inhale in a deep breath, the anticipation building between us like a slow-burning fuse leading to an explosion of desire.

Sebastian takes a small step backward as if he's giving me back the oxygen his electrifying presence momentarily sucked up. “This is nice,” he says, our bodies swaying with the music. “I haven't had a night like this in a long time.”

“Too many French dinners and operas?” I tease.

“More like too many boardroom presentations and late nights at the office,” he admits with a sigh.

I smile at his response and wrap my arms around his neck, my hands resting on his broad shoulders, and I confess, “I admit I googled you.”

Sebastian grins, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Really? What did you find out?”

“A lot of useless stuff about your company. But not much else.”

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