Page 23 of Sebastian

With his hand resting on my thigh and exuberance radiating from him, I can’t help but join in the off-key singing. We may sound terrible, but at this moment, it doesn’t matter. It’s silly and lighthearted, something that seems characteristically Sebastian. One song stretches into another until we have sung the entire time back to his house. He takes the streets slowly, pulling past his gates and into his long driveway as the song ends.

“See, that wasn’t so bad now, was it?”

He cuts the throaty engine off when we reach the front of his house with the snow and decorations still intact from last night.

“Are you hungry? Have you eaten breakfast? If not, I can have Ms. Martha make us something.”

Having someone make me food while I wait in the kitchen seems odd, but I appreciate his offer. His hosting duties are in full force again, which makes me curious if he likes being a host.

“I’m good for now. So, ice skating?” I ask, extending my hand to the door handle.

“Wait right there, I got it.”

He excitedly springs out of the car, eager to open the door for me. Most guys I have dated get the door initially, but not every time, and I could get used to this type of attention.

“Milady.”

He bows deeply, but the execution isn’t quite flawless, and he loses his balance momentarily.

“Ignore that,” he says with a self-deprecating chuckle while holding onto the door handle while I exit the car. “I haven’t had anyone to practice on in a while.”

The mention of him not having anyone to practice on piques my curiosity.

“You haven’t had a date in a while?”

He appears slightly guilty, as if revealing a closely guarded secret.

“I don’t usually date.”

Oh.

The meaning is implied, and I should have figured as much. A guy with this kind of wealth probably has women on speed dial who come right over the second he calls them. I’m not like that, nor will I become like that.

“I don’t usually have casual sex. Sounds like we’re at an impasse.”

9

SEBASTIAN

She shoves her hands into her coat, blocking the chill. Her bright blue eyes harden after making her stance known. I’m confused since she was more than eager to have sex with me last night, which would be as casual as it gets since we had just met. Maybe last night was the champagne talking. She had plenty of it on her tongue when it was halfway down my throat. Not that I minded. It tasted even sweeter from her than from my glass.

She must have changed her mind now that she’s sober or not tipsy like last night. I don’t do relationships like Paolo, and I don’t obsess over girls like Gio. Sex is the in-between where I get the closeness I crave without all the messy commitment entanglements. It’s a perfect solution.

When Chloe steps from my car, eyeing it to go back home, I realize I have a decision to make. Compromise my stance of no dating and see where this goes. Or forget all about it and drive her home while putting her sassy attitude and that beautiful body out of my mind forever. Since forever is a long ass time, I do the latter and internally cringe at what I’m about to say.

“Fair enough, Chloe. We can take things at whatever pace you’re comfortable with. After all, life is full of surprises.”

I keep it noncommittal but vow to pull out all the stops to have her in my bed today. The brisk breeze picks up, causing her shoulders to rise to protect herself. I close the distance to put my arm around her, drawing her against me to share my warmth. She snuggles closer, flashing me a slightly suspicious look.

“Okay.”

I wait for her to say more, and when she doesn’t, I flash her a playful smile to ease her concerns. The atmosphere between us has shifted, and it’s no longer just about fun and games. I’m captivated by her, struggling with not letting her slip away, even if the relationship thing makes me uncomfortable.

“So, ice skating?” I say, steering the conversation back to our original plan, even though she remains quiet. I release her, wanting to hold hands, but she tucks them back into her coat.

“Yes.”

I walk with my arm around her shoulder, not really sure what to do with her one-word answers.

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