Page 22 of Ruin
“What was Sebastian like as a teenager? I can’t imagine him as anything other than the walking sex-stick he is now.”
I choke on the mouthful of wine I’d just taken, spluttering at Annika’s words.
Once I’ve recovered myself, I shake my head. “That’s an interesting way to describe him.”
She shrugs. “It’s accurate, though. That man oozes sex and power. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed, because there’s no way you’ve missed that.”
Imogen is watching the conversation with a small smile, but doesn’t offer up her opinion on the subject.
“I met him when he was eighteen, and by that point, he was Daniel’s guardian, so he had a lot of responsibility already. He’sbeen pretty intense for as long as I’ve known him. And he’s kind of always had that raw charisma that he has now.”
Annika sighs. “Yeah, that tracks. Was kind of hoping you’d have stories about some stupid shit he might have gotten up to, though. Like the rest of us when we were young.” She pouts before taking another sip of her wine.
“I’m sure he did… But it was before I knew him.”
“So you never…” Annika wiggles her eyebrows.
I blink. “Never what?”
“Fucked him? Or Daniel?”
I’m so stunned I can’t help the laugh that slips from my lips, and it feels so foreign that I stop abruptly, surprised at myself. I haven’t laughed in a long time, and after knowing this woman for only a few hours, I’ve already relaxed in her presence and actually laughed?
“No. Daniel may as well be my brother.”
Annika cocks her head as she studies me. “And Sebastian?”
I shrug. “He’s never seen me that way.”
Well, at least, I’d thought he hadn’t, until the last time we saw each other… Now I don’t know what to think.
“Interesting… You sure about that?” she asks, before taking another sip of wine and watching me closely.
“He’s only ever seen me as Daniel’s best friend, who needed to be protected.”
Annika smirks at me over the rim of her wineglass. “In my experience with men, when they treat women like they are precious, like Sebastian does with you… Things are never strictly platonic.”
I shake my head. “There’s no way. Besides, a guy like Sebastian would never be with someone like me.”
She raises any eyebrow, frowning. “What do you mean by that?”
I shrug again. “I’m too… I don’t know… He’s just on a whole different level to me.”
“You think he’s too good for you?” Imogen asks, joining the conversation finally as she eyes me with interest.
“Well, yeah,” I say, unsure of why they don’t see it themselves.
Sebastian is all charisma and power, while I’m… not.
They exchange a look before Imogen shakes her head. “Guess we need to work on your self confidence.”
I snort. “What self confidence?”
Imogen shakes her head as Annika puts her wineglass down on the side table and studies me for a moment.
“I think I’ve found my next project, after sorting things out with you and Cam,” she says, turning to look at Imogen.
“I’m sure Cam will be thrilled to know you will no longer be showing up at his gym with one of your schemes,” Imogen says wryly.
