The One Addicted(97)

“Do’s like this can be excellent fun when fooling around.”

I spin at the voice behind me and my eyes flare in recognition. Even with his mask I would know those clear blue eyes, his wink full of unbridled confidence; his hands already taking their usual tactile path, in the direction of my body. Perhaps to anyone else it just appears that he is being friendly as one of Sebastian’s mates and colleagues but I know different. He makes me feel uncomfortable.

“Chris - you decided to come to Dubai? I thought you had been left in charge of Silver Con.” God knows you brag about it regularly.

“And miss out on all of ….this.” I watch his dramatic arm gestures and struggle not to roll my eyes. Occasionally I can begin to warm to Chris but the majority of the time I just think he’s a major prick with a major chip on his shoulder. “Besides, Seb needs me here to make him look good.”

“Sebastian can manage fine on his own, Chris.”

“Hmm maybe but I played an instrumental part in this job and he wanted me to be here to reap the rewards.” He takes a step forward leaning into my personal space, a hand on my forearm. “Lu, look I’m really sorry about what happened with Toni - I know you and I haven’t really been right since then.”

“All in the past, Chris - besides, it wasn’t your fault.” You didn’t help matters though.

“I must admit I was surprised when you and Sebastian made up after Ray rolled up a few weeks ago - you’re more forgiving than me but I know you two have history.” That saying sounded familiar.

“Seb and I are fine.”

“You know Toni is here tonight, right?”

“I do.” Where are you going with this? Enjoying it far too much for my liking. Cock!

“Have you seen her?”

“Unfortunately. Look, Chris, I know you mean well, but this is nothing to do with you - I don’t mean to be rude but well - that’s the truth.”

“Seb and I are mates and we talk, Lu.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just that - I’ve tried with you, Lu, have tried to be friendly, but you keep pushing me away. I thought you and I had an understanding?” My body shrinks back at his fingers on my bare skin, sending chills down my spine, as he strokes slow circles on my upper-arm. “I’ll always be here for you, Lucia, after all we’re all practically living together now.”

“Chris! You made it.” Seb’s deep voice interrupts our uncomfortable conversation. Thank fuck for that!

“Yeah mate. Cheers for sorting out the flights.”

“Not a problem - you deserved to be part of the launch.” Seb’s hand splays across my lower back and I feel the scorch of his branding and looking up into his eyes I see the hunger there, strong and on show for all to see. I can hear Chris waffling in the background, attempting to regain Seb’s attention but I don’t care any longer. Honestly, if I wasn’t 100% sure that Chris was heterosexual I’d think he had a thing for Sebastian the way he craved his approval.

“Boys, I’m going to leave you to talk shop and go join Abby for some girly patter. Excuse me.”

If Sebastian is surprised at my quick exit and frosty overly-polite manner, he doesn’t make it obvious to Chris and reluctantly releases me to head over to Nathan and Abby but glancing back over my shoulder I can see his furrowed brow and ensure he gets a slinky wiggle to assure him that its not him I’m being off with.


“Lubedoo - you have no idea how tightly you have my brother wrapped around your little finger. He is a goner.”

“Thanks, Na, but I fear it is I that is the one in too deep. You Silver men are devastatingly handsome and far too hot for your own good!”

“Back off, Myers.” Abby buts in and glares at me through narrowed eyes, before breaking into a huge smile.

“I needed to escape from an unexpected arrival and some unexpected questions and you two are my saviours.”

“I saw that Mr. Tentacles had arrived. Did you know he was coming, Nathan?” Abby interjected.

“Seb may have mentioned it a few days ago - I know Chris has been nagging him to join us out here.”

“I bet he has. No matter what that guy does I just can’t take to him - he has horrific taste in women.”

I watch Abby shrug her head in the direction of a Zebra printed figure and raise my eyebrows in agreement.

“Toni!”Nathan mouths as he spots the snake in the grass.

“We’ve unfortunately already felt the lash of her nasty little tongue - or Lu has.”

At Nathan’s questioning expression, I hold a hand up to silence him. “I’m fine, honestly - I am. I didn’t prepare myself for her attendance, here, tonight, in Dubai but I shouldn’t have expected anything less from a woman who would do anything to get her nails into Sebastian.”