Page 126 of Arianna

Meeting Sebastian’s eyes, I tell him, “Thank you.” It is not much, but it's all I am feeling now. All because of him. I never said thank you before to anyone except my sisters and my nonna. So, when I do say thank you, I mean it.

I not only say thank you for the cake but for everything they've done for me. I say thank you for Sebastian's existence. I don't say it aloud, but the words are there in my heart.

“You are welcome, brat.” Benjamin appears next to me, ruffling my hair, adding humor to this very emotional occasion as only he can. I am grateful for this Viking, too. He was the first person in a long time to show me kindness. Benjamin whistles loudly before saying. “Look at all these gifts for you. It’s like Christmas morning up in here.” He then turns to his boss. “I expect the same treatment when my birthday rolls up. I can do without the pink, though.”

Sebastian gives his right-hand man a warning glare, but I know he doesn’t mind Benjamin’s unusual humor. Well… at least today, he doesn’t.

We sing happy birthday and eat cake while we watch Ella open her presents.

It doesn’t go unnoticed how there are twenty-one bags and boxes for me.

Twenty-one.

With a Birkin bag in my lap, I feel the bed dip, and Sebastian is sitting next to me, looking into my eyes.

Happy.

That is it.

He looks happy…

“For every birthday I didn’t get to spend with you,” Sebastian whispers.

I suck in a breath when his words sink in, filling me with so much emotion.

The gifts.

Bliss.

Paris.

All of it replays in my mind as I look into those hypnotizing blue eyes.

And I know this feeling in my chest is not only gratitude.

No.

It is love.

* * *

“Tu es ravissante, ce soir.” Sebastian says as he offers me his hand, looking as dashing as ever. Somehow, he looks even more handsome tonight. Happy and less stressed. Maybe it is the fact that he seems less grumpy. Happiness does take a few years off, or so some people say.

“Je sais.” I take his arm and let him guide me through the hotel's lobby towards the restaurant. Turning my head, I soften my expression. “Mais merci.”

Chuckling, he pushes us through the crowd of people gathering around and waiting to be seated. Not us, though. I don’t think this man has ever waited for anything in his life, especially when he owns the building.

After a second of standing outside, the restaurant’s chef himself comes to greet and seat us. “Monsieur Kenton, bienvenue.” He is a handsome man, maybe in his late twenties, with light blonde hair tied in a man-bun and gold-colored eyes. There is no doubt he is handsome, but he has nothing on the jealous caveman currently pulling me tighter to his body.

So, possessive…

“Pee on me, why don’t you?” I whisper to Sebastian.

“I just might do that, darling, if Chef Pietro keeps staring at you as if you’re one of the five-course meals he serves here.” He bites back fiercely, and a thrill runs down my body.

I sigh before telling him. “This is nothing new to me, Sebastian. I’ve been a possession since the day I was born. Paraded by my father like cheap merchandise.”

Sebastian frowns at that, but before he can say anything else, chef Pietro interrupts us by walking closer and taking my hand in his, lifting it towards his mouth in greeting. “Welcome to Magnifique, beautiful.” I want to be cordial with the man, but then I notice the chef’s eyes lingering a little too long on my chest. Making me feel like all the disgusting men I’ve come across back in Detroit.

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