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.
“Oh, my God!” I exclaim as I reach what appears to be a solarium.
I know right away that I’ll be spending my mornings here doing yoga for the next week.
The entire compound is simply gorgeous.
I really wish Winnie were here to see this. Pictures simply won’t do it justice.
An open floor plan allows the rooms to flow easily from one to another and an abundance of windows let natural sunlight to flood the place.
The master suite floors me. Not only is the room huge, but there’s a private living room attached, as well a study, walk-in closet and a full-out spa that Sebastian calls a bathroom.
I’m in heaven.
“I can’t believe I get to live here for the next week,” I say, trailing my finger along the fine marble of the sink.
Sebastian says nothing. He just leans against the door frame and watches my awestruck movements.
From the window near the tub I can see the backyard and my breath catches at the sight.
The beach is the backyard.
“Everything is so beautiful,” I swoon, touching my touch as I observe the waves lapping against the white sand.
“Yeah… it is,” Sebastian agrees with a funny tone.
When I turn to look at him, I’m thrown off balance at the look of pure male appreciation in his light blue orbs.
Opening my mouth to fill the thick silence, I lose my chance when his phone rings.