Page 128 of Arianna

Fifteen minutes later, the server comes back a little too giddy with a pep in her step. She places Sebastian’s duck in front of him and then places my plate in front of me without taking her eyes off Sebastian. I don’t pray. Not really, but I silently pray to the miserable bastard who was tasked with me up in heaven, asking this woman to drop her plates or fall on her ass in front of me.

Petty? Yes.

Do I care?

Not really.

Hot anger courses through me like it never has before.

Not only because I feel jealous, because I am not insecure, but for the fact that this woman is blatantly dismissing me as if she does not see me as Sebastian’s date.

She pops the bottle of wine, filling Sebastian’s glass first and then setting the bottle down on the table. Looking smugly at me, she asks, “Would you like a soda or water?” The bitch says in broken English. I hate that she sounds sexy and exotic. “Oh, I know you.” She looks back at Sebastian, who is looking at me, not her, with an amused look on his face. He noticed. The asshole knows and is looking at me, waiting to see what I’ll do. “It is so nice of you to buy your employees dinner, Mr. Kenton.”

She didn’t.

She didn’t just call me an employee.

Reaching forward, I ignore her lesser presence, grab the bottle, and fill my glass, bringing it to my lips. I stop and make a face before handing it to her. “Oh, look at that. The glass is dirty. Would you mind fetching me a clean one?” I smile innocently at her.

The server stands there, fuming with narrowed eyes.

And to drive the point home, I turn away from her, grab Sebastian’s face, and kiss him without a care that she is standing there like an idiot. Serves her right for acting a fool. I hear her mutter something in French before her steps retreat.

I could care less at that moment.

Instead, I let Sebastian pull me closer by the back of my head and lead the kiss.

It is a passionate kiss.

A kiss that says you’re mine, and I’m tired of women throwing themselves at you. Pulling back, breathless and satisfied, I open my eyes, and there is that smile that has the same effect on me as his kisses.

He looks arrogant and pleased.

I bet he enjoyed the scene I made.

Before he opens his mouth to gloat, as I know he will, I raise a hand and stop him. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

Sebastian chuckles and then takes a sip of his wine. “As you wish, darling.”

Now he knows for sure that I am just as territorial as he is.

Taking a bite of the macaroni, I moan aloud, causing Sebastian’s eyes to heat. God looks so dangerous when he stares at me as if he wants to swallow me whole and keep me with him forever. We eat our dinner and enjoy a nice conversation which flows naturally and effortlessly. We talk about anything and everything, losing the concept of time. Looking away from Sebastian through the window, I notice a few paparazzi gathering with their cameras raised and taking countless pictures of us.

I notice the server from earlier is outside, too, most likely on her break, smoking a cigarette. The asshole looks at me as if my presence offends her. How amusing. I don’t know if it is the wine or if I am losing my mind. Maybe both. Damn you, tyrant.

Leaning forward, I drop a soft kiss on Sebastian’s lips, not only for the cameras and the bitter server watching from outside, but for all the women that came before me. I kiss him once more, open my eyes while his lips are on mine, and flip them off.

That’ll for sure make the front-page news.

Oh well.

ARIANNA

Secrets & Stars

“I once was dead inside

and then there was you.” – B

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