Page 12 of Sebastian

His voice is low and husky, full of promise. I find myself locking eyes with those captivating brownish-green irises as he straightens us and releases me before bowing deeply. It’s too formal amidst the Christmas music and the party atmosphere, but I find his change in demeanor interesting, not to mention that the formal dance training is a huge turn-on. His hand cups my elbow, leading us off the dance floor and down the steps to his tennis court.

“This isn’t suspicious.”

My tone drips with sarcasm as I edge my arm out of his touch and grip the edges of my blazer closer, trying to ward off the chill of the night.

“Almost an hour ago, you stormed off in a fit, and now you want to get to know me. What gives?”

Sebastian casually walks across the court and over to another gate that leads to a darker part of his property.

“Come.”

“You’re not going to kill me out here, right? ‘Cuz, I’ll haunt your ass for the rest of your life, and that’s a lot of years,” I warn when I walk through the gate that he closes behind me as the music from the band fades with distance.

He chuckles, looking too handsome in the shadows of the glistening lights that dot the concrete path winding through his extensive gardens.

“Quite the opposite, Chloe.” The heel of his dress shoes click quietly against the sidewalk. “I figured I owed you an apology for overreacting. The holidays are hard. This party is harder than I expected it to be.”

The somberness in his voice strikes a chord with me. Even though I could go home and should go home for the holidays, I don’t. It does get lonely seeing everyone with their holiday plans and knowing mine is a simple dinner over a glass of wine like any other ordinary night. In a way, I relate to what he’s saying and how he’s feeling.

He gazes up at the starry night. This is a calmer version of him, letting me see a side that is as private and unique as these exclusive gardens at the back of his property and far away from the prying eyes of his guests.

“You don’t owe me anything, Sebastian. Like I said before, you don’t even know me.”

I look away from him to the shadow of a garden statue ahead. I walk toward it, my heel catches on something, and I’m sent flying forward until he saves me from falling. His lips are a breath away from mine as he holds me tightly. The moonlight slices through a break in the treetops to highlight the blonde in his hair, and it’s too perfect. I’m literally a damsel in distress, something I despise, and yet, at this moment, I’m internally chanting for him to kiss me. To inch forward, press his mouth to mine, and cradle me to his body while he does it.

He must feel something when he swallows hard and says, “I want to know you. And I want to kiss you.”

I slowly raise my chin, the position perfect for a long, lingering kiss, and murmur, “Prove it.”

The briefest of smiles crosses his face before his lips descend to mine. They are soft, curious, and imploring—the opposite of his loud personality. I melt in his arms, moaning at how sensual and tender he’s being. Where I am expecting a sloppy, hurried mess of a kiss, he’s patient, taking his time to savor me before breaching my lips to slip his tongue inside.

It’s only a matter of seconds before he seeks out my tongue, each twisting gently with the other before he ends the kiss, leaving me absolutely stunned.His hold loosens slightly, allowing me to regain my footing, but he doesn’t release me completely.

“I’ve wanted to do that ever since you tried to escape past the singing elves.”

His hands remain on my waist, pressing a little tighter as if he’s torn between pulling me in for another kiss or holding back. My eyes trace the clean lines of his well-tailored tuxedo shirt, accentuating his athletic build. The snug fit of his pants emphasizes his trim waist. He’s in fantastic shape, with muscles subtly bulging from his biceps and thighs. My thoughts drift, and I wonder what lies beneath the formal attire.

“Really?” I raise an eyebrow, still slightly baffled by the contrast in his behavior. “Because you said all that stupid stuff inside, then blew me off, and now this. You’re giving me whiplash here.”

He finally releases me, walks away, and runs a hand through his hair, appearing somewhat flustered. I follow him to a bench on the right, where he sits down and extends a hand, inviting me to join him.

“I didn’t realize it until now.”

“You’re quite the contradiction, Sebastian,” I admit, studying him with a raised eyebrow. “One minute, you’re infuriating me, and the next, you’re trying to sweep me off my feet.”

He lets out a soft chuckle, the tension in his demeanor easing slightly.

“You see through me. It’s unsettling.”

His knee bobs from his confession as he looks at me, seeking understanding.

“It’s not about seeing through you. It’s about figuring out which version of you I’m dealing with at any given moment.” I tread lightly so as not to upset him again. Sebastian’s lips flatten, not a smile, not a frown.

“Well, maybe I’m a man of many facets, Chloe. Some of them are more real than others.”

I nod, still feeling a bit cautious.

“So, what version of Sebastian should I expect right now?”

---