Page 72 of Addicted To His Favorite
“Mrs. Graves,” Sebastian interrupted, his gaze piercing. “Don’t call her Miss Crawford.”
“I apologize, Mr. Graves,” Leon began, quickly recovering. “A dress has been prepared for Mrs. Graves.” He handed over a tablet displaying the design. “If she knew that you personally had the jewelry designed to match this dress for tonight’s party, I’m sure she’d be thrilled.”
Sebastian’s lips curved into a faint smile as he studied the dress, imagining Emily wearing it. “It’s just a small thing,” he said softly.
His gaze sharpened as he looked back at Leon. “Where is the jewelry? Is it ready?”
Leon nodded. “The jewelry has been sent to Mrs. Graves at your home so she can wear it with the dress tonight.”
“Good,” Sebastian murmured, turning his attention back to his work as Leon left the office. After a while, he dialed Emily’s number. Within a few rings, she picked up.
“Hello?” Emily’s soft voice greeted him.
“Baby,” Sebastian’s voice dropped to a warm, husky tone. “Did you get the things I sent for you?”
Emily had just finished her bath and wrapped herself in a towel, standing before her neatly arranged gifts on the bed. “Yes,” she chuckled. “I just got out of the shower and saw them on my bed.”
Sebastian let out a low, affectionate growl on the other end. “Now I regret not delivering them personally.”
She smiled at his words and walked over to the bed, her eyes scanning the carefully arranged gifts. “These are designs froma big-name designer,” she said softly, a hint of concern in her voice. “It must have cost you a fortune, right?”
Sebastian straightened in his chair on the other side of the line and chuckled. “Feeling guilty about spending your husband’s money already?”
Emily laughed and shook her head. “No… I’m just curious. How did you manage to convince someone who only designs one jewelry piece every two years to make an entire necklace set for you? Even the wealthiest clients can’t get it.”
Sebastian’s voice dropped, slightly husky over the line. “There’s nothing in the world that I can’t get for my wife.”
Emily’s fingers clutched the edge of the towel wrapped around her chest. Every time he said “wife,” a shiver ran through her—warmth and heat pooling in her core. His voice was tender, affectionate, yet underneath it lingered a raw hunger, like he wanted to devour her entirely while whispering that word.
Sebastian’s voice dropped lower, soft but commanding. “Be dressed before I arrive or you’ll be spending a few extra hours in my bed first, before we leave for the party.”
“Oh god—” Emily murmured, her cheeks heating with shame.
He chuckled, the sound deep and warm. “And don’t forget—we’re meeting my parents next week. They’re very much looking forward to meeting you.”
Emily’s back straightened, a flutter of nerves in her chest. “Could we… maybe wait a few weeks?” she asked cautiously, her voice almost a whisper.
“No,” Sebastian answered firmly. “I’ve been waiting to introduce you to my family for a long time.”
Her fingers tightened around the towel again, and she murmured softly, “Alright.”
“Get ready,” he replied, his voice gentle before the line went dead. Emily set the phone down, her heart still racing.
***
The Empire Hotel glittered with the finest decorations from around the world. A massive sign outside announced ‘The Empire Royale Evening’ gleaming under the lights. Inside, the crowd numbered in the hundreds, buzzing with chatter. Gossip floated through the grand hall.
“Isn’t that Lucas and Amelia?” a woman whispered, nodding toward a couple in the corner. Amelia was in a strapless orange gown, and Lucas wore a brown suit. “They look so… completely mismatched for a couple, don’t they?”
“They’re engaged now. Maybe they had a little fight,” another woman offered, shrugging. “Couples fight—it’s normal.”
Amelia ignored the whispers. The event, she realized, was far beyond even Lucas’s wealth. This was a gathering of the elite. Without an international jewelry launch like this one, many here wouldn’t have had the chance to attend.
Her eyes roamed over the glittering crowd, pausing at every influential man she noticed.
Across the room, Harold nursed a glass of champagne and sampled the hors d’oeuvres. He hadn’t attended one of these events in years, but when he learned Emily would be there tonight, he couldn’t miss the chance, eager to support her.
Just then, Leon appeared beside him and gently steered him to the side.
