Page 32 of Corrupted Memories
“Sebastian…”
He sighs, pulling away so our faces are even. “I know everything about you, Gianna. More than you do.My feelings haven’t changed. If anyone is meant to be the mother of my children, it’s you.”
A startled laugh bubbles out my throat. “That should be a mutual decision. You don’t get to decide, and that’s that.”
His eyebrows furrow. “It’s in the contract you signed. We’re to be married and actively trying to conceive an heir within a year.”
Married? A rock drops into my stomach and I struggle to breathe. I never looked at the contract in depth, and I never had the opportunity to give it to Matt, because I know he would have said something. He’ll never approve of me marrying Sebastian, nor having his children. And I’m not sure how I feel about it either. I don’t want Jeremy to die, but that doesn’t mean I want to get back with Sebastian. My feelings are complicated, at best.
“You know I didn’t…” It’s a weak defense, but I’m at a loss for words. What I thought had been a moment lost in the passion for each other may have been a strategic move on his part. And that makes me feel worse. I drop my eyes, willing myself not to cry, and clear my throat. “Are we still going to dinner?”
I can feel his gaze burning into my face, but I keep my head tilted down. I’m ashamed of how easily I fell into him again when he is simply moving his pieces on his chess board.
“Let’s stay in. I’ll go grab us something.”
Nodding, I head to the bedroom to change and relax for the night. I pause in the living room to look back at him. His eyes lift from my ass to my face and he raises an eyebrow.
“Who else has access to this penthouse besides Mrs. Tits?” I ask.
Sebastian’s tongue rolls over his lips, and I know he’s stifling his smile. “Nico. A couple of the security guys we rotate.”
I shake my head. “I’m okay with Nico. I don’t want anyone else.”
“They’re apart of?—”
“Change it, Sebastian.”
His eyes narrow and his hands slide into his pockets as he straightens his shoulders. “No one but Nico. Got it.”
“Thank you,” I mutter, and head back to the room. He doesn’t follow me. We both clearly need some space after what transpired on the balcony. When the front door slams shut a few minutes later, I breathe out of a sigh of relief before showering and changing, returning to my earlier hunt for an office. If he wants to treat everything we do as a game, then I’ll play along right with him. Except mine will be with different rules.
——
Want the artwork for the balcony scene? Get it here
Chapter 13
Sebastian
Nico workson his laptop as I watch the city from my chair, thinking over and over about the expression that had taken over Gianna’s face. It seemed so heartbroken, and I wasn’t sure what had put it there. Is shethatagainst having my kids? We’d talked about it plenty of times when we were together before. Hell, if we’d never broken up, we would already have a couple.
“Got it,” Nico says, not glancing up from where he’s sitting hunched over the laptop. After I left the penthouse, I called him to look into something for me. I didn’t expect it to take too long, and then I’d bring Gianna her food.
“And?”
He shakes his head. “Jeremy never called him.”
A malicious smile stretches on my lips. I do love when I’m right. I pick up my phone, dialing the number I know that’s been waiting for my call.
“Matt.”
“Matt, brother. How are you doing?”
His anger is almost tangible through the phone. “I’m not your brother.”
“Not yet,” I taunt, grinning as Nico shakes his head.
There’s a crash on the other end, and heavy breathing.
