What the hell is going on?
The car accelerates, smoothly covering ground and I continue to stare at him in shock.
I don’t remember him being this gorgeous in high school.
But he is panty-dropping fine these days.
Currently, he’s looking down at his phone tapping away at the screen, so I take the opportunity to admire him in all his glory.
A strong square jaw accentuates the other beautiful features on his tanned face and the glasses he once wore are gone, giving me a clear view of his dazzling blue eyes.
His well-muscled body is a glorious testament to the hours he must spend in the gym every week. I can’t help but appreciate the resulting powerful physique.
He’s donned in a simple button up, slacks and loafers but I can just tell from looking at him that the getup probably cost more than two months of my pitiful salary.
And don’t get me started on his cologne.
The scent is musky and masculine. Purely intoxicating and making it nearly impossible to focus on anything but him.
I’d expected to be a sweaty mess in front of the cameras, but what I hadn’t expected was for the source of my frazzled nerves to be my old classmate.
“Are you just going to keep staring or are you going to speak, Olivia?” he asks darkly, catching me off guard.
A startled gasp escapes me before I can help myself. I still can’t pull my eyes away from him though.
The muscle at the base of his jaw is ticking as he takes the opportunity to ogle me in return.
“H-Hi,” I stammer shyly.
His eyes darken at the sound of my voice and his intense gaze takes its time roaming over my attire, pausing briefly on my legs and finally my pedicured feet.
“I can’t believe it’s you,” he says pensively, meeting my eyes.
“I can’t believe it’s you, either,” I return.
His large hand reaches up to massage his chin as he stares at me silently.
“Still perfect little Olivia, I see.”
My hearts rattles against my chest at his assessment of me. I don’t understand why I’m so thrown off by his words.
Sebastian continues peering at me from across the car. Suddenly, he tears his gaze away from me and turns to the mini bar.
“Would you like a drink?” he asks, gruffly.
“No, thanks,” my voice is small but it’s all I can manage at the moment.
He grunts and pours himself a whiskey straight. After the first sip, his huge shoulders visibly relax and he returns his gaze to me.
I make him tense?
For some strange reason, that thought is gratifying. My nerves have been on high alert since I came down those stairs so it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one affected.
“What have you been doing with yourself these days, Olivia?”
Clearly the wrong things. There’s one billionaire in this backseat and it sure as hell isn’t me.
“Just working,” I admit because it’s the truth.
My life is as drab as it comes.
“What has it been? Ten years?” he asks with a frown before downing the rest of his drink.
“Yeah, something like that,” I say nodding and wishing I had accepted his offer for a drink.
My mouth is suddenly dry now that his attention is focused solely on me.
“Are you still in Tennessee?” he wants to know.
“Yep, I never left.”
“Wow.” He seems stunned. “Well, I bet you’re the best nurse in the state.”
Again, my heart rattles at his words.
I can’t believe he remembers my ramblings from art class. I’d practically talked his ear off three times a week while we worked on our assignments.
He’s smiling at me and I know the same memories are whirling through his mind.
“Not quite,” I say, a little ashamed. “I’m a home health aid worker for the elderly at the moment.”
Sebastian is visibly taken aback by this revelation.
“Oh,” is all he says.
“Things didn’t exactly work out the way I planned,” I offer as explanation. “But my job is very rewarding. I love what I do.”
I don’t know why I feel the need to explain myself. My career choice is none of his business. But the last time he saw me, I thought I had it all figured out.
My father’s betrayal had destroyed everything.
Before Sebastian can say anything else, the car comes to a stop in front of the most breathtaking house I’ve ever seen.
The word house doesn’t do the place just.
It’s a palace. And I haven’t even gone inside yet.
Sebastian studies my reaction with an unreadable expression before announcing, “We’re here.”
***
Inside, I can’t stop gushing over the place.
Pride aside, I roam the halls of the mansion with a huge grin on my face. Sebastian can barely keep up with my eager pace.