Page 83 of The Bourbon Bet
Yet Noah’s gentle flirtation barely registers against what I feel for Sebastian. Even thinking his name sends a rush through me that no practical considerations can dampen.
He consumes me completely. It's not just the way he sets my nerve endings ablaze with every touch, but the quiet connections between us. Last night in his arms, lost in his gaze this morning, I'm certain no other man could compare.
Not that I can tell Noah my interest lies elsewhere, not with Dad watching me with his eagle gaze. During the ride over, he didn’t mention Sebastian, but I’m certain his silence on the matter won’t last. He’s biding his time, sorting through his thoughts. That’s his way.
Paige curses. “I forgot my thermos of coffee in the trunk.”
“I’ll get it,” I offer, wanting to create a little distance between Noah and me.
Dad steps beside me. “I’ll go with you.”
Damn. Looks like he’s sorted his thoughts, and my time has run out. Starting toward the car, I scramble for a topic that doesn’t involve Sebastian. “Have—”
“Dating a Blackstone isn’t a good idea.”
I turn to look at him. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.” His tone is uncharacteristically firm, and his jaw is set in a way that looks at odds with his normally relaxed face.
“Why do you dislike them so much?” I’m truly surprised. My dad gets along with everyone.
“It goes back a long way. Louis Blackstone and I grew up in the same county.” He kicks a pebble across the parking lot.
“Sebastian’s father?” I ask.
Dad nods. “He was always causing trouble, but his daddy's money got him out of everything.” His lip twists in revulsion. “Especially with women. The worst kind of trouble.”
“But that’s Sebastian’s father. Not him,” I counter.
“Who do you think raised him?” He must notice my bewilderment because his tone softens. “Listen, it’s not like we’re talking about ancient history. Louis hasn’t changed. He has two kids who aren’t from his wife.”
“Again, Dad, that’s not Seb—”
“What about Thorne Blackstone? He was dating Melissa Wright recently. Do you remember Mr. Wright from the bank? His daughter.” I nodded. Dad’s lip curls in disgust. “Well, let’s just say, like father, like son.”
I frown. “That doesn’t mean Sebastian is the same.”.
“His marriage ended before the ink dried,” he counters. “Surrounded by the same kinds of rumors.”
I stop and wait for my dad to do the same. Sebastian had a very good reason for leaving his wife. But telling my father that the marriage ended because he’d caught his wife with his brother wouldn’t raise his opinion of the Blackstone family. “He can’t help what’s said about him. And you’re never one to view rumors as gospel.”
Dad has the decency to look ashamed. “I know it’s wrong. But you’re my daughter, and I don’t like the idea of you getting mixed up with one of Louis’s sons.”
“I’m dating, not marrying Sebastian. We aren’t serious,” I reason.
“Last time we talked, he was a friend,” he drawls. “Yet, your grandma tells me and anyone who’ll listen that you went on a date with him to his family’s fancy gala. And this morning…” He gives me a disapproving-dad look. “Very early in the morning, I might add, at your house.”
My cheeks heat. I rub my thumb over the hickey, now concealed by the hair I let down. “I, um…” What could I say? Definitely not what we’d been doing.
“Like I said before, it’s not a good idea to date the man who owns the building you’re renting.”
I freeze. “Why?”
“What if things go south between you two?” Dad lowers his voice. “I’ve seen what happens when someone crosses Louis Blackstone. He’s vindictive. If Sebastian’s cut from the same cloth and you upset him…” He hesitates. “Let’s just say, he could make sure you never get another loan or even a simple checking account in all of Kentucky.”
The thought chills me, yet a giggle bubbles up inside me and escapes when we reach Paige’s car. “And here I thought Mom was the winner of creating worst-case scenarios.”
“This is different.”
