Page 7 of Exquisite Temptation

"I'm so sorry, Heidi. Break-ups suck, but you're right; it's best to take time to heal rather than jumping straight into another relationship," Katie agrees with a soothing tone of voice.

Blinking away the unshed tears, my attention shifts to the twenty-something waiter sauntering to our table again.

He hands Allie another cocktail, explaining, "One black forest gateau for the lady."

She parts her lips, staring at him in confusion. "I'm sorry, but I didn't order another drink."

"Courtesy of the gentleman at the table opposite yours." He grins at her with a conspiratorial wink.Oops, the cat is out of the bag.

As I glance at the table opposite us, my eyes collide with the icy-cold gaze of the devilishly handsome hunk with long, golden blond hair. Time stretches and slows down as he becomes the focus of my rapt attention. Nothing and no one else matters.Is this how werewolves in books feel when they imprint?His piercing black eyes stare at me, burrowing straight into the depths of my soul. Something intense flares through his entrancement, sending electric sparks through my nerves. My pulse skitters alarmingly and the urge to drop to my knees like an obedient puppy crashes through me.What the hell is happening to me?No man has ever elicited such a visceral reaction in me.Girl, you are in serious trouble,my snarky self-chimes.Get yourself together. Now!my sensible-self orders, giving me a mental slap.

"Please tell the gentleman I don’t accept drinks from strangers." Allie’s voice pulls me out of whatever spell he’s put on me. Expelling a shaky breath, I rummage through my bag in a bid to calm myself down.

Katie clears her throat, forcing me to look up. "Are you kidding? You sent your drink back to Sebastian Laurian?"

"I gotta be honest here. His name means nothing. Is he the latest reality TV star?" Katie gapes at Allie, her eyebrows shooting up to her hairline.

"I'm not sure what planet you live on, Allie. His face is on every magazine. Not only is he the hottest CEO of the world's biggest AI company, but he is Seattle's most eligible bachelor."

"I don’t read magazines or watch the news. I prefer reading and watching K-dramas on Netflix." She giggles like a schoolgirl, making me shake my head and chuckle. Katie grabs her arm, widening her eyes in surprise.

While listening to their verbal sparring, I sip on my cocktail and fight the overwhelming need to steal another look.Behave yourself. Nothing good will come out of it. Knowing your luck, he is probably either involved with someone or married.

"Women would kill to get Ma–" Katie stops abruptly, biting her lower lip and scrunching her face before whispering, "Sebastian's attention."

Hmm, interesting! So, it would seem I'm not the only one keeping secrets.

"Holy mother of pearls! Please tell me you didn't have a close encounter of the third kind with Mr. Women Would Kill To Get His Attention?" Raising her brows, Allie gawks at Katie, who ends up laughing gleefully.

Who are you and what did you do to my friend? Did someone slip something in her drink?

I nudge Allie, shaking my head in a mock disapproval. "Oh, for heaven's sake, Allie. I'm sure when Katie came out tonight, she didn't expect the Spanish Inquisition."

Her lips split into a toothy grin. "Shush, another word and I'll disown you as my soul sister." I zip my mouth shut and throw away the key.

Undeterred, she slides closer to Katie and leans forward. "Come on, you can't dangle a juicy carrot in my face and not let me take a bite." Oh, she got it bad, but she doesn’t know it yet.

"Excuse me, girls, I’ll be right back." I push myself to my feet and stroll off to the restroom.

I hate doing my business in public toilets, so I whizz in and out of the stall as fast as I can. After washing my hands, I smooth on lipstick and rub my finger under my eyes to remove mascara smudges, ignoring the raucous laughter of a group of girls wearing scanty dresses and dangerously high stilettos.

On my way back to our table, almost against my will, my eyes dart to the blond hunk. I study his full, sensuous mouth, aquiline nose, and high cheekbones. He plays with his whiskey glass, listening intently to something Sebastian says. Tipping his head, his lips part in a dazzling grin, making his stern face soften and become almost angelic. The air deserts my lungs, and when I remember to breathe, I exhale a series of quick breaths. I coerce my legs to move faster before my knees fold in two and take me down.

When I finally drop in my seat, I listen with half an ear as Allie recounts her road rage incident and encounter at the fetish shop, my attention split between my friends and the man who has so thoroughly captured my attention. Katie listens patiently, her mouth falling open in stunned shock when she is done.

"Shut the front door! From what I have heard, no one dares to defy him, and you did it twice. No wonder you piqued his interest. Good luck, girl." Her eyes glint with a knowing smile.

Allie snaps her head in my direction, glaring at me with mock accusation, which means she worked out it is me who told him where to find us.

"How could you? Why?"

Oops, the cat is out of the proverbial bag. I'm in big trouble now. I shrug my shoulders, tilting my lips in a sheepish grin. Here goes nothing.

"You'll never believe it, but he attempted to use a Jedi mind trick on me. He approached me after you stormed off, asking for your cell number. Not to brag, but his mind trick didn't work on me. I won," my voice increases an octave. A blush flames my skin as I recap my conversation with Sebastian.

"You won?" She cocks her head, staring at me with disbelief.

Katie raises her brow in a wide arch, her gaze darting between me and Allie, probably wondering if this might turn into a catfight. What she doesn’t know is that we are fiercely loyal and protective of each other.

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