Page 150 of Arianna

He chuckles while I stare into his eyes. “You love it.”

I do love it more than I should.

“Everyone is looking our way.” I change the subject when Sebastian’s hand comes up to the back of my neck and brings my face closer to his. I feel eyes on us, and witness camera flashes go off.

There is no doubt that Sebastian will be one of the main topics on social media tomorrow.

Out of nowhere, Celene’s words hit me.

Is my presence in his life making a mockery out of his career? His reputation? I don’t have time to dwell on it because Sebastian brings me back from the torturous thoughts.

Only Sebastian and his little girl can bring me out of the dark.

He holds me closer while he moves to the best of Sinatra, then his soft, warm lips cover mine, and he kisses me. I feel a zap of electricity snap to life between us. The same intense feeling courses through my body every time he is near me. Whenever he puts his lips on mine. The muscles in my lower belly twitch in response, then my core clenches when I feel his tongue drag across my bottom lip. “They want something to write about. Let’s give them tomorrow’s front page news, darling,” he whispers against my lips, and my body shivers because of his possessive tone.

I hold him closer, needing more of him.

“Good girl.” He mumbles, lifting his head and tucking my face against his chest under his chin while wrapping his free hand around my back.

Then we dance.

Just the two of us in a crowded room.

The band plays two more songs, then a man in a suit that I've seen with Benjamin approaches us, tapping Sebastian on the shoulder and whispering in his ear. Sebastian nods, dismissing the man.

Once the current song ends, I step down, my heels touching the floor, no longer on Sebastian's shoes.

“What?” I ask him as he leads me back to our table. “The greedy have summoned you, Sebastian?” I grin.

“Be good, yes?”

“I've told you before, Sebastian. Being good is no fun.”

“You won't ever make anything easy, will you, brat?”

“Nope.”

Once I am in the seat, he cups my cheek, and his eyes scan over my face. “You’re going to be okay while I go talk to some associates?”

“I’ll be fine, Sebastian.” I squeeze his hand in a reassuring gesture and melt when his eyes soften when he looks at me.

That never occurs.

His tender side is one he only shows me and Ella.

“My men are right there if you need anything. I won’t be long.” He touches his lips to my forehead with a kiss that is so soft it feels like a whisper, and then he lets me go, steps back and gets lost in the sea of people.

I watch him go, counting the seconds until he comes back.

“Wow, that was…oddly sweet.” A dry laugh follows the unnecessary comment. The girl, about my age, with golden skin, dark hair, and a great sense of style, takes the empty sea opposite of me. “And here I thought that man was made of stone. He might be a soft teddy bear, after all.” She laughs dryly and takes a sip of the glass of wine in front of her.

Something about her comment irks me. Maybe it is that she is talking about something that does not concern her, or maybe it is the way she speaks about him with familiarity.

Narrowing my eyes, I lean forward on the table. “Who are you?”

“Quinne Jones,” she smiles arrogantly over the rim of her glass. She takes a sip, and places it back down on the table. “And you are the infamous Nanny.”

I open my mouth to clap back when she puts her left hand out, cutting me off. “No need to get offended. I know who you are to him.”

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