Page 20 of Overnight Inheritance

“As it happens,” he said, grinning, “I have a free night if you want me.”

Her eyes flared and everything around them stilled. He hadn’t meant to remind them both of the kiss that morning, of everything they’d said they wanted, but now that it was there, it was like a living, pulsing thing between them.

“I didn’t mean—”

She held up a hand. “I know you didn’t. And, yes, thank you for your offer, I’d love to have someone with a good business brain there when I talk to them about being paid consultants.”

He shut his laptop and stood. “Then I’m at your service.”

They caught a taxi over to her grandparents’ house in Brooklyn, and together, she and Sebastian laid out the plan to her mother’s family. The O’Donohues were grateful for the offer, but saw through it immediately and graciously declined. Disappointed, but not surprised, she and Sebastian said goodbye and then shared a taxi back to Sarah’s place. He’d said he’d take it on to his place after it dropped her off, but as it pulled over, he found himself paying the driver and getting out with her.

“Sebastian?” Mae said as he came to stand on the sidewalk beside her.

“It’s a nice night.” He rocked back on his heels. “Thought I’d walk some of the way home.”

She looked up at the exterior of the building, then back to him. “I’d invite you up...”

“You can’t.” The very idea was ludicrous. “I’m not welcome in the enemy camp.”

“I wouldn’t sayenemy,” she said diplomatically.

“Really?” He allowed his incredulity to flow into his voice. “What would you say?”

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

He chuckled. “It’s okay, Mae. You don’t have to spare my feelings. I’ve lived in the middle of this family feud my entire life. It’s the same at my father’s place.”

Her expression was suddenly full of sympathy as she nodded. “Will you be okay at home tonight?”

He put on a mock stern face. “Are you seriously asking if I’ll be okay in my own apartment overnight?”

“You know what I mean,” she said, not diverted by his teasing.

He did. She wondered of he’d be okay without Alfie. “I’ll be fine. Amanda has already sent through a bunch of videos of the things he’s done this afternoon, so I’ll console myself by watching those.” He was being tongue-in-cheek, but there was an element of truth in there too.

“Thank you for coming with me tonight and trying.” She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and let her front teeth scrape over it as she released it.

He sank his hands into his pockets, willing himself not to respond. “It wasn’t a problem. I liked your grandparents. They’re stubborn, but that’s not a bad thing.”

“Well, good night.” She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, and as she did, the world faded away. The traffic sounds disappeared; the other people on the sidewalk and the buildings all evaporated from his awareness. All he could see was Mae. All he could hear was her breathing so close to his ear. She seemed to have frozen, perhaps waiting for him to make a move. Perhaps she was as paralyzed by whatever was between them as he was.

“Mae,” he said, his voice rasping. “I want...”

“I know,” she said near his ear. “I want too.”

She pulled back and met his gaze. “But we won’t. We can’t. We’re fighting over a company.”

“Are we fighting, though?” He had to ask the question that had been bouncing around in his brain. “It feels like we’re on the same page most of the time.”

She arched an eyebrow. “You still want Heath and me to sell you half the company, right?”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense.” Getting to know Mae had only supported that conclusion.

“Then yes—” she tipped up her chin “—we’re still fighting.”

She had the most beautiful chin. Rounded, with skin that was silky smooth, and he wanted to cup it in his hand and draw her face toward him so he could kiss her senseless. His breathing was labored, as if they were striding along the pavement, not standing still, and hers seemed to be uneven too. Who were they kidding?

“Not sure how many business fights you’ve been in,” he said, knowing the answer. “I’ve been in quite a few, and none of them have felt like this.”

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