He slows at the end of the corridor, turns a sharp left and removes a card from his inner jacket pocket. It’s only as he inserts it quickly into the control pad, on the door in front of us that I realize we are entering another bedroom. I have a brief flashback to another time, at Scarlet House, as I entered Room 22 with Sebastian waiting on the other side for me. That night was the most incredible night of my life. I can’t go into another hotel room with him.
I all but, laugh. “I’m not going in there with you. No bloody way!”
I can feel panic begin to rise within me. Who did this guy think he was?
“Just for a moment Lu. I need to explain.”
“In a room! With a bed! Only the great Sebastian Silver would need a bed at the ready to explain himself out of a hole.” God I sound bitter.
His face remains impassive and calmly he responds. “I need to explain and I can’t do that in a room full of my employees and I’m not discussing our private life in a corridor or hotel bar.”
Fair point, I rapidly concede to myself, and looking up into his serious black eyes I nod. “You have ten minutes.”
“Thank you.”
God, I’m tense as we enter what is presumably one of the larger Ashton Suites. It was luxurious, if a little dated and I could see this being one of the next on my list of design makeovers. I cross over towards the window and seating area, putting the Queen-sized bed between us for safety and cross my arms in defiance. Memories of that forbidden night, in Room 22, come flooding back to tease me mercilessly - him between my thighs, rubbing strawberries into my pussy, fucking me from behind, whilst we watched ourselves in the huge gilt mirror. Get a grip!
“Well? You’ve manipulated the situation once again, to get me here. I’m here?” I raise a brow in question, determined to stand my ground.
He drops his head and taking a deep breath, rolls his lips. “There was no other way. You wouldn’t answer my calls.”
We stand in silence and I try not to fidget to ease the uncomfortable moment. His eyes are sad as he finally speaks. Upon closer inspection he looks tired and little gaunt. Hopefully that meant he’d slept as little as I had since Sunday morning. Serves him right.
“I never meant to hurt you Lu.”
Fucking Arsehole. Seriously – what does that even mean?
I can’t reply, I’m too angry. The man has a bloody girlfriend, he neglected to inform me of and he’s saying he never meant to hurt me – his best friend.
“Say something? Anything?”
“What do you want me to say, Sebastian? Hmmm? That you broke my heart – that you didn’t fight for us – that I feel stupid – that you played me – that I always knew it would end like this - that I hate you?”
His gaze is hypnotic as he watches me fall apart. My grief, spilling out, I bare myself to him again, emotionally. The last four words make him flinch and I take pleasure in the fact that I’ve finally pierced his cold-cheating heart. Narcissistic prick - Sebastian loved to be loved.
“The list is endless and for you to say we need to talk, for fuck’s sake, that’s all you’ve ever said and we obviously never did enough of it, or I’d have know you had a secret girlfriend - Ray. Where is the lovely Ray by the way?”
He turns and frustrated runs his hands over his head, taking a deep breath. Facing me again he clearly reprimands, “Don’t be bitchy, Lu it doesn’t suit you. Ray is gone. Ray is not my girlfriend and Ray was never worth mentioning.”
Bastard!
I bite my lip so hard I flinch in pain to stop myself from saying something I’ll regret and cover my face in my hands. It’s whilst I hide behind them, I sense his body next to mine – his scent surrounds me, all lemony, vanilla and musk.
“Please, baby. Let me explain properly. I know I’ve made a complete cock-up of things so far but I’m telling you now, I’m not with anyone.”
My throat tightens at his familiar use of the B word and I can feel my eyes begin to well. Don’t be nice. I’ll cave if you play the Gentleman card.
I want to believe him so badly. This is Sebastian, my best friend. I don’t speak but step backwards until I hit the wall, and slide down it to sit upon the thickly carpeted floor. Then I wait, hoping my deafening silence will encourage him to spill.
Sebastian chooses to take a seat on the edge of the bed in front of me, braces both arms on the mattress, either side of him and regards me closely. With furrowed brows he begins.
“I met Rachel in Dubai a few weeks after we’d landed there, to begin the Jannah Hotel project. She and her cabin crew were staying in the same hotel as us, when they had layovers. We met in the bar one night, got chatting and one thing lead to another.”