The Billionaire’s Burden(8)

"You must be exhausted." I said, glancing towards the kitchen where I only just noticed Harry's inquisitive stare recede back inside, "Should I get you coffee?"

I took a step towards the kitchen when Sebastian's robust hand shot out, snagging my wrist easily between his fingers.

Frozen in place, I slowly turned back to look up at him. He moved closer, the warmth and sweet musk of his cologne wrapping around me like a tender cocoon. The hand that cupped my wrist trailed up my arm, leaving a path of blinding goosebumps along the way.

His strong fingers finally came to a stop on my chin, face tilted ever so slightly up towards his own, my heart pounding so fast in my chest hat it resonated loudly between my ears. My breath caught in my throat, blood running like ice through my veins.

What was he doing?

Sebastian's still blue eyes locked on my own, his body so close now that one more tiny step would have our chests pressed close together.

Had I been braver, I would have taken that step. As it was, my courage only left my feet frozen in place, like cement shoes.

My eyes lingered on his perfectly pink lips, just barely parted. His breath breezed like a warm tide over my mouth. I inhaled sharply, afraid I was going to swoon like some girl in an old western movie.

At my sharp breath he released me, clearing his throat as he bent down to pick up his suit case once more.

"You're right." He finally murmured, "I'm very tired."

Just as quickly as Sebastian had entered the manor, he was gone up the stairs into his bedroom. I stared after him forlornly, fingers trailing up to touch the still blazing spot of my cheek that he had so softly touched.

Confusion finally died out the beating of my heart as I slowly shook my head. Was he delirious?

"Good God, woman." Harry whispered harshly from the kitchen door as I sluggishly turned to face him.

"What?" I asked, blinking through the daze the billionaire had left me in.

"He was all but begging you..." The chef began before giving up, shaking his head sharply and whirling back into the kitchen.

"Begging for what?" I asked, earnestness coloring my voice.

Had Sebastian really wanted something from me? Was it possible that he'd missed me while he was gone?

But why? Why would he even think about me when he had buxom redheaded goddess Alissa Grant on his arm. He hadn't bothered to call or text, not that I had worked up enough courage to do that either. The only time we talked was an accident.

The front door slammed again, Karina's heels clicking excitedly towards me. I stared at her, too stunned and happy and utterly confused to fight with her this afternoon.

"Is he here?" She asked, eyes darting towards the stairs. The dark eyed woman didn't even wait for my response, she'd seen his car out front, as she happily bounced up the stairs.

"Bast!" She called cheerily, "Bast, you must tell me all about London! Did you see Charlie Fowl? Oh, what about Martha?"

Her high pitched voice melted down the hall as I slowly sank back down onto one of the dining room chairs.

Harry came back over, shaking his head as he poured me a tall glass of wine. I stared at it gratefully, heaving a sigh.

"Drink up." He chuckled, "I think you need it."





Chapter Five





A reunion   dinner was promptly scheduled by Karina, who was zealous to chat with her son once more.

Sebastian and I had not had any more time to reconnect, and now that we sat beside one another at the fine dining table at La Grange, there were no words I could come up with. My tongue was dry in my throat, watching the way he tiredly stared down at the coffee cup in front of him.

He’d barely been able to rest at all before we left, and it was obvious he was mentally on a whole other planet. His arm draped around the back of my chair, though I was fairly certain it was more of an attempt to keep straight up than anything affectionate.

George sat at the end of the table, Karina and Alissa seated on either side of him, across from Sebastian. Alissa’s big brown eyes shifted between the man who was her lover, and the man she wanted desperately. Karina once again had the wine and champagne flowing freely, though Sebastian had barely touched his.

I couldn’t help but to wonder if she ordered so much booze in order to put up with Alissa Grant’s utter flaunting of her body. This evening, the redhead was dressed to the nines, as was typical, in a tight lavender gown that barely reached the tops of her thighs.

George couldn’t keep his eyes or hands off of her, Sebastian could barely keep his eyes open, and Karina gazed at her wine bottle like a lover.

All in all, it was sorting out to be a typical Davis family dinner of deeply agonizing proportions. I sipped on the bubbly white wine in front of me, unsure whether to stare at the ceiling or my empty plate.