Page 94 of Arianna

The clearing of a throat makes us both break eye contact and stare at the newcomer.

Ugh.

Not this woman.

The thirsty glorified secretary.

Celene.

Wearing a skintight nude skirt with a tucked low-cut white see-through shirt with a red bra. Very classy.

Not caring about the woman and her undesired presence, I turn back to face Sebastian to gauge his reaction. I am surprised to find Sebastian’s eyes on me and not her.

A sense of satisfaction courses through my body to know that, as much as Celene throws her large breasts in his face, Sebastian prefers to look my way.

Unsatisfied with the lack of attention, the annoying woman walks over to where we’re seated and positions herself behind Sebastian, hovering over him.

I give her a droll look, allowing her to see that I know what her game is and that I have no interest in entertaining her.

After all, queens don’t bother with peasants, as my very wise nonna used to say.

“What is it you want, Celene?”

She leans down with a sultry smile on her irritated face. “Seb–” The icy look Sebastian gives her over his shoulder has her rethinking her next words. Celene clears her throat before continuing. “Mr. Kenton,” she says, annoyed that her boss put her in her place before me. I don’t hide the smile on my face while she stumbles with her words. “The governor’s office reached out requesting a meeting as soon as possible.”

I inspect my nails, waiting for Sebastian to get rid of her, but he’s taking his sweet time doing it.

I feel the heat of his eyes on my skin, and I raise my head to look at him.

I see it, then, the face he makes when facing a challenge. “Wait for me downstairs.” It’s all he says while still glaring at me. Why the hell is he mad? He is the one entertaining this clown.

When Celene leans down and presses her breast to his side, I see red, but I manage to hide it. Not giving the woman what she wants. A reaction out of me.

Celene gives me a gloating smile, then opens her obnoxious mouth, but before she gets a word out, I stand from my seat. All the while, Sebastian still allows her to touch his skin.

I watch her put her hand on his bicep and squeeze. To some, that might look like a comforting gesture or maybe a greeting, but I know better.

The bitch is acting catty.

“Thanks for the lesson, Mr. Kenton.” I ensure that Ella is okay, then I leave the room without waiting for a response. Not that I am expecting one.

I could have stayed and challenged the woman, but what is the point? She wins if I react to her silly teenage mean-girl antics.

Besides, the asshole just sat there and allowed that woman to rub up on him as if she were his lover, which begs the question…

Do they have something going on?

Anger rushes me, my cheeks grow hot, and my pulse wild, and that irrational rage takes hold when the image of them together assaults me.

Anger and jealousy.

All mixed up together, feeding the green monster that has lived inside of me since I was a child. Once my only friend and ally.

Blinded with anger towards her, him, but especially myself for thinking that a man like him could be interested in me. A young woman that he kidnapped slash rescued from a glorified criminal.

Needing space, I hurry outside the mansion and find myself jogging toward the gate. I don't know where I am going, but with every step I take away from them, I can think clearer.

The shouts are what get me out of my head.

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