He stood abruptly, my hand still in his, and I hurriedly stood to join him.
When his hand finally dropped to his side, the coldness that interlaced my fingers instead of his warmth almost made me tremble.
He stepped forward abruptly, closing the distance between us as his strong arms wrapped tight around my body, pulling me into a tight, burning hot embrace.
I felt as though I could melt against his skin, my head finding its home in the curve of his strong shoulder as my own arms swept around his neck, cradling him against me.
I could only hope that my embrace felt as strong for him as his arms felt for me.
Chapter Nine
"You don't have to do this tonight if you don't want to." I said softly, watching as Sebastian inspected his elegant black suit in the full length mirror of his room.
I sat on his bed, only a few days after the newest revelation about his parents had come unearthed.
He'd been withdrawn since then, less inclined to talk and less inclined to eat. Even though we didn't really have a true relationship at this point, I missed the old spark in his beautiful eyes. I think he in part blamed himself for Karina and George's divorce. Not to mention that he still had to work with his father and Alissa daily. He was obviously torn on how to handle it.
I couldn't blame him there, and I couldn't help but to feel that I was doing nothing to help him either.
What did he need me to do? I would have done anything, but no matter which way I asked him, the billionaire always told me that the needed nothing. I could see in his eyes, however, that he desperately needed something.
Karina had moved in promptly the next day. I had a feeling that she had been waiting for the invitation for some time. She currently resided on the ground floor of the manor, while we were on the second. She didn't like having to walk upstairs each day.
My mother in law seemed happy enough, for now, to be out of the home she'd once shared with George. It was nice to have her off my back for a little hale, though I was certain she'd be back to her old persnickety self in no time.
She'd also brought with her another chef, a talented woman named Tricia who Karina had apparently scared into total subservient silence. I would not be having as much fun with her as I did with Harry, though I still got to see him frequently at the bakery.
The shop was doing very well under Lewis Carson's management and Harry's fantastic kitchen skills. It was such a joy to see it coming back to life.
"You're just saying that because you don't want to go." Sebastian's reflection smirked at me in the mirror.
He was right about that.
I smoothed my hands over the champagne colored ruffles of the long evening gown I wore. Tight in the bodice, sheer towards the end, Sebastian had even managed to guilt me into some sparkling heels.
Alissa, fortunately distracted with her blissful relationship with Sebastian's father, had actual chosen a decent dress for me.
The Davis Corporation was having a huge work event this evening, some kind of fancy ball where you could be judged on your dancing skills as well as how much liquor you could imbibe.
I was gleeful to go. Yeah right.
Sebastian approached me, reaching out a hand to help me to my feet. He lifted my wrist over my head, twirling me around like one of those ballerinas in a music box. The dress spun around my ankles.
For a second, I felt like a roman goddess.
"You look amazing." Sebastian said gently, slowing my turn as he pulled the hand he grasped up against his chest. I could feel his heart beating, calm and steady, against his ribs. My own heart plodded along like an excited little rabbit.
"Do you think they'll believe that you really married me?" I asked with a laugh, shaking my head.
He frowned slightly, moving us side to side as though we were already dancing at the ball, "Why wouldn't they?" He asked curiously.
"I mean, just look at me." I shook my head, blushing and turning my gaze away.
In the mirror, I could see us reflected back, the shapes of our bodies close, his arm at the small of my back, my hands on his neck. It was like a painting, or a dream.
"I am looking at you." He whispered into my ear, his breath warm against my earlobe.
My eyes drifted shut, head tilting slightly into his voice.
"The limo's here." He said quietly, eyeing the headlights reflection in the window as he lingered for just a moment in my hold. Then, he stepped away, turning his back to me as he checked his pockets.
I almost leaned forward, wrapping my arms around him instinctively.
Instead, I wound up giving myself a rather award hug before trudging after him.
I was completely unused to wearing heels. In all honesty I felt a bit like a baby giraffe learning how to walk. I stumbled after my handsome billionaire husband, struggling to keep up with his pace.