Page 56 of The Bourbon Bet
I laugh, but the sound is weak. “She wants you back.”
His face hardens. “No. She wants what comes with being the wife of a Blackstone.”
“There is so much more to you than your family name, Sebastian.” In fact, everything in me wishes he weren’t a Blackstone, just an uncomplicated man who visited my bookstore.
“Maybe, but that’s the piece of me everyone wants.” His gaze searches me, like he’s hoping I’m different. And I wish I were, but Thorne and his damn deal…
I look away, unable to meet his eyes while carrying this secret.
Steering the conversation away from that dangerous territory, I say, “She was also being catty and hinted that my dress color is gauche.”
“Bullshit. I think her envy is showing.”
“The color isn’t too loud?” I hate the insecurity in my voice, but the gala is far out of my comfort zone.
He steps close, his breath hot against my ear. “Are you kidding me? You’re going to be the death of me in that dress. I can’t take my eyes off you, and I don’t think I’m the only one. Every man here wishes he were me tonight.”
Someone bumps me from behind and I stumble into Sebastian. He catches me around the waist. The person apologizes, but I barely register it. All my focus is on Sebastian’s touch, which burns me, sending heat between my legs.
There’s no denying I like his hands on me. Leaning into him, I inhale. He smells like comfort and sensual dreams. I step away before doing something embarrassing, like kissing or climbing him.
He glances past me, then backs away. “For someone who’s not a,” he made air quotes, “‘gala girl,’ you are navigating this evening like an expert.”
“Thank you.” His compliment releases some of the tension in my limbs. “My mom was an English teacher at the top private school in Michigan. A perk of her job was that I attended for free. I know how to act, but that’s all it is—acting. And the performance makes me anxious, afraid people will see through it.” Just as his ex-wife had so easily done.
“You do belong.”
I press my lips together. No, I don’t.
He takes my hand. “Come on. Let’s take a breather from this party and go outside. This time of year, the rose garden is in full bloom.”
That sounds perfect, and I allow him to lead me outside. Once there, we walk to a waist-high iron fence. The sun set hours ago, but the gas lamps strategically placed throughout the garden give the place a wonderfully haunted romance vibe.
“Beautiful,” I murmur.
“I agree.” He’s looking at me. My pulse quickens and I can’t turn away.
All the evening aggravations and hurts disappear, and all I see is him. A breeze blows a strand of my hair loose from my braid. He tucks it back in place and then runs his fingertips along my jaw. When he reaches my lips, I shiver.
“Do you want to go back in?” he asks.
I shake my head, stepping closer to him. The only place I want to be is here, with him, looking into those bourbon eyes that promise to give me what I’ve desired since that almost kiss in the car—his touch, his lips on mine.
He leans closer, his minty breath fanning against my tingling lips. “What do you want, Rosalia?” he murmurs, his hand sliding up my bare back, his touch leaving trails of goosebumps in its wake.
“You.”
His lips part on an exhale. Then his warm, large palm rests on my waist. He brushes his lips over mine as if testing the truth of my claim. We’re crossing a line we’ll probably regret, but I need his mouth on mine.
I press into the gentle kiss, and with a groan, he’s all in. The hand on my hip wraps around me, pulling me against his hard body. I open for him and he doesn’t hesitate. His kiss is a mix of teasing and temptation, giving me just enough to hunger for more while offering me all I want.
“Oh, pardon us,” comes a man’s voice I somewhat recognize.
Heat floods my cheeks as I jolt from Sebastian. I press my lips together, still tingling from his kiss, my stomach dropping as I take in Daniel staring wide-eyed at us.
“Rosalia? Rosalia Manchester, is that you?” asks the woman standing next to Daniel. My gut tightens. Who now? I’d love to see a friendly face.
Wait. I know that face!
