Page 55 of Sebastian

I finish up in the bathroom, feeling slightly relieved, and bound up the stairs, ready to be bossed around for the next four hours until I can boss her around for the next four, possibly five.No, the whole night. My dick springs to life again, and I curse loudly. Calm the fuck down, Seb. Just get through this event. Think of the event and your staff and their happiness. Not your horniness.

The time passes faster now that I got a bit of release and let her tease me while I did everything she asked. Chloe’s a champ at this stuff, greeting guests as the party planner and directing people where to go. I mingle with new and old employees while Taylor and Paolo run around the event, ensuring the vendors and hired staff do their part. Only when the party is in full swing does Chloe join me near the glittering entrance to the North Pole, where another fake Santa listens to the kids’ wish lists.

Christmas music is blaring across the property, the snow machine is churning out an endless supply of fresh ice, and Chloe is sporting a cup of hot chocolate. I’d never admit this to her, but the amount of chocolate I ate the other night made my already queasy stomach worse that night, causing me to swear off the stuff for now. But if she asked me for a repeat performance, I’d happily eat it off her again.

“I was a little worried that it wouldn’t turn out, but it’s going great, right?”

The twinkling lights dance across her radiant face, adding to her beautiful appearance. If I were romantic, I’d say this was the perfect time to kiss her. But then, a hand slithers over my shoulder, drawing Chloe’s attention behind me.

“Hey Seb, I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” says a high-pitched, falsely sweet voice. Chloe’s smile fades quickly, and I inwardly groan at this unexpected intrusion.

Turning around, I’m greeted by the overly perfumed presence of my ex-girlfriend, Veronica. She’s dolled up to the nines. Her scarlet dress shimmers under the party lights, but something in the way she eyes Chloe worries me.

“Veronica, this is Chloe,” I introduce, keeping my tone neutral. “Chloe, this is Veronica, an old friend.”

Veronica offers a strained smile, ignoring Chloe’s outstretched hand with a quick nod before her attention returns to me.

“Seb, we need to talk. It’s important.”

Even though my heart races and my pulse throbs in my ears, now isn’t the time to deal with Veronica’s melodramatics.

“What are you doing here? This is a private event.”

I feel Chloe inching away from us. When I glance at her, the wall from the very first night I met her is up with that damn fake ass smile plastered on her face. I hate it. I hate Veronica for putting it there, and I hate Veronica for being here.

“I called and texted you, but you never responded. I even reached out to Paolo and Gio, but they weren’t any help either.”

She tosses her long brown hair over her shoulder while sizing up Chloe. I’m glad my boys backed me, but, dammit, how I wish they had intercepted her somehow.

“Veronica . . .”

I scratch my forehead, unsure what to do here. If I call security to throw her out, I’ll look like an asshole to my staff. If I let her stay, Chloe might leave, and that’s the last thing I want to do.

“I blocked you.”

“I figured. Please, Seb. It’s urgent.”

She looks as if she’s about to cry, and I glance at Chloe, whose fake smile has slipped, and she gives me an indiscernible look. Everything to Veronica is urgent if it’s for her benefit. She doesn’t respect anyone’s time or space other than her own. Her selfish and manipulative ways are one of several reasons I broke up with her. But if I deal with her now, get it over with, she can leave, and I can get back to the party with my woman. I turn to Chloe, looking as regretful as I feel.

“I’m sorry, Chloe. Can you give me a few minutes, and then you and I can finish?”

“Of course.”

The smoothness in her voice makes me uneasy. Her mask becomes poised and perfect, matching the act she put on for the crowds when I first roped her into playing Mrs. Claus. She squares her shoulders, raises her chin, and nods with the most practiced smile I’ve ever seen.

“We’ll catch up later.”

Fuck.

The sudden shift in Chloe’s demeanor sends alarm bells ringing in my head. Her perfect smile and the stiffening of her spine when she walks away without a backward glance makes me know I’ve made a colossal mistake. I’ve chosen my past over my future, and Chloe has made it abundantly clear that such a choice is unacceptable to her.

But the situation with Veronica is far from straightforward. Her insistence on talking and saying it’s important is like a ticking time bomb looming over my head. I want to deal with Veronica and return to Chloe and my party.

Fuck me.

As Chloe swiftly climbs the stairs, the magnificent fireworks display begins, with enormous bursts of colors and lights shooting into the night sky. Cheers and gasps of delight erupt from the growing crowd of employees and their families scattered across the lawn. The spectacle paints a stunning canvas on the dark sky, beckoning everyone to watch the show.

However, Chloe doesn’t pause, glance back at me, or spare a moment to admire the fireworks. It becomes clear that her fleeting presence in my life is just that—fleeting. She is speed walking into the house, as desperate to escape me as I am to escape Veronica.

---