Sharply, I turned back around, searching for the familiar face of my husband in the crowd. Of course I would have left him just when he needed someone at his side. No doubt he was being interrogated by the executives over the lack of Karina and this new, sexy surprise guest.
Slowly, the chiming chatter of the party guests began to resume its vigor. They had plenty of gossip fodder now.
I stumbled my way through the people, unsure if it was the heels or the alcohol that made it so difficult to stay up straight.
After minutes of searching, I finally found him.
"So, I suppose Karina won't be joining us this evening." The man who'd spoken to me not long ago questioned, eyebrow arched as he watched the front door where George and Alissa had made their grand, fashionably late entrance.
"I'm afraid not." Sebastian replied stiffly, turning to face me, "Did you see them?" He asked softly into my ear, gaze searching the sea of people.
With a simple nod, I slid my hand into his, interlacing my fingers within his own.
I wasn't going to let him forget that someone was still on his side.
"Hello gentleman." A feminine voice purred as Alissa moved closer.
She swayed her hips with the seductiveness of a succubus, her makeup heavy and lips fire engine red. The girl had already gotten her wealthy lover to leave his wife, I wasn't sure what she was working so hard for.
Then, I realized her gaze was focused intensely on my husband. Ah. That explains it.
"Hello, Alissa." Sebastian replied stiffly, squeezing my hand, "How are you?"
"Wonderful." She replied, lips parting to show white, sparkly teeth.
There was no denying it. The woman was beautiful and intimidating. It was like standing in the presence of a fierce, feral panther. All sleek and terrifying. You knew you were about to be eaten alive and there was absolutely nothing you could to stop it.
As she lifted a hand to greet another of the gentlemen, I saw the giant sparkling rock on her left hand ring finger half a second before Sebastian did.
A startled gasp welled up in my lung as his hand went limp in my own, dropping from my grasp to his side.
"Do you love it?" Alissa giggled, stepping closer to Sebastian. Her shoulder pressed into his chest, she lifted her hand so her palm was almost square in my face, "Your father's gift to me. We're getting married in the spring, isn't that wonderful?"
She tilted her face to gaze up into Sebastian's, her nose brushing the tan flesh of his cheek.
He stared at his father, then at the woman beside him before taking a stiff step away.
"I'm afraid I'm feeling unwell." He murmured, voice hoarse, "I need to call this an evening."
He nodded his head politely before taking a few stumbling steps towards the door.
"Good evening, everyone." I offered with a polite smile before turning and following after my runaway husband.
I burst into the cool night air, leaving behind the thick cloud of judgement and too much cologne that threatened to suffocate everyone in that place. Sebastian sat on the steps of the country club, his eyes vacant.
"I'm sorry." I said quietly, wrapping my arms around his shoulders as I pressed my lips against his temple.
For a second he didn't respond, but then he sank into my hold, body melting so that his head rest against my chest.
"No," He whispered gruffly, "I'm sorry that you have to see in such a state. I have no reason to react as I did."
I shook my head, fingers softly stroking his perfect black lapel.
"I understand." I said gently, unable to come up with more words than that.
Just what was going to say to this strong man who clearly struggled so much, what magic words did I have to make his problems go away.
Then, like a light switch suddenly flicking on, I knew exactly what we had to do.
Why hadn’t I thought of this before? There was one thing that would always cheer up a man in need.
"Come on," I said, climbing to my feet and holding both hands out to the handsome, pouting billionaire, "I know just what you need to knock the edge of this evening off a little bit."
"What?" He asked, begrudgingly allowing me to help him stand up, "What have you got up your sleeve now?"
With a laugh, I tugged him faster after me.
"Tequila." I said simply, flashing him a wild grin over my shoulder before dragging him after me towards the limo.
Chapter Eleven
"Shhh!" I hissed as we crept too noisily into my husband's bedroom, "Karina will hear us."
"I shouldn't have had this much to drink!" Sebastian slurred, laughter rolling from his lungs like warm waves that crashed against my heart, "I have a flight out tomorrow, I’m going to be hungover."
He collapsed on the bed, bottle of tequila still tight in his hand.