Page 71 of Arianna

Because just like the sun, when you stare at it for too long, it starts to hurt.

It hurts…

He must’ve seen the look on my face because a second later, he sobers up, and the smile is gone, replaced by a puzzled look.

Look away… but he doesn’t, and just like that, I find myself under a spell because I can’t seem to look away from those hypnotic gray eyes. I feel an invisible rope of intimacy that wasn’t there before tethered me to him, or maybe it was, but I didn’t notice. I was too busy fighting it. Fighting him.

This is the man underneath the wealthy and famous politician. This is the father. Then I remind myself that this is not real.

Seriously. I must be imagining this.

He meets my gaze, and I get that same sense I’ve had with him before. As if he is so deep in thought, but when he hears you and looks at you, he sees inside you.

“You will be free.” Suddenly the rough tone of his voice breaks through his spell. What did he say? “Give me to the end of my campaign trail, and I’ll set you free.”

“You will let me go?” I breathe out, too stunned to even think straight. “Just like that?”

Sebastian nods, the perfect picture of indifference. “It is a crucial time for me, and with the campaign, I cannot afford more scandals, but Ellaiza has grown attached to you…” he says as if he, too, can’t understand the bond the little girl and I have formed. I can’t even believe myself at times, too. How come someone as innocent and warm as that child grows attached to someone as cold as me? “I need time to make the proper arrangements for you—”

Dropping my napkin, I reach forward and touch his hands without ever realizing I am doing it. “Truly?” There is no joy in my tone. Freedom doesn’t mean what it used to be before.

His idea of freedom means a world without Ellaiza.

Without Benjamin.

A world without him.

And suddenly, the room feels cold.

Sebastian looks down at my hand, touching his with a frown, yet he doesn’t object to my touch.

My heart starts beating slowly.

Why is it so cold?

“If that is what you wish, yes,” Sebastian says before rising to his full height and staring at me. Then, I feel his warm, strong hand grab my chin and pull my face upwards so I can stare at him. “I am not a good man, Arianna. I believe you already know this. I have never been anyone’s hero, always the villain, and that is how I prefer it.” He chuckles softly without humor. “With you is different…I don’t wish to be your villain.” Holding my breath, I hang on to his every word, still not over the fact that he plans to let me go if I wish to. “Goodnight.” With a soft kiss on my forehead, he leaves.

He leaves me with both my mind and heart a racing mess.

I don’t wish to be your villain.

ARIANNA

Bonding With An Asshole

“Don’t ask questions when you

don’t care for my truth. Are you slow?” — A

To say things did one-eighty after the meal, I shared with Sebastian would be an understatement. Not only is he home more, but he has taken it upon himself to email me at all hours of the day about internships in various high-profile companies in this city that might interest me. The man is relentless in his quest to find me a good fit, going as far as to offer me an internship in his legal firm.

Of course, I turned him down even though I am grateful for the opportunity, but the thought of having to work for him sucks the soul right out of me.

I see the way he deals with his employees. He is never rude, but he has them jumping through hoops every hour of the day, and I know we would be at each other’s throats more than usual.

Besides, the law is not the career field I chose.

He might think I am being difficult, but I am still figuring out what I want to do with my life. I used to dream of all the things I would do if I were given the chance. Now the chance is here, and all the possibilities overwhelm me because I feel…guilty.

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