When I can’t stand even the sight of my bra, I know I won’t be able to force myself to wear it, so I fold it and put it in its drawer before considering my wardrobe options.
Deciding to change into a dark shirt to hide my lack of bra, I also choose a pair of high-waisted, wide-leg light-colored slacks and my white sneakers.After refreshing my hair and applying a bit of makeup, I slip into my coat, grab my purse, and stand in the center of the room.I search for things to do, but everything is exactly where I like it.
Waiting until my new departure time arrives is pure torture.Worst-case scenarios begin playing in my head, and I end up leaving about three minutes before I mean to.If something happens and I’m late, then my arrival will be too awkward after yesterday’s incidents.
I enter the building and sidestep out of the walkway as I catch both my bearings from the sudden change of surroundings and my breath from my normal breakneck speed through the crowd.
“Penelope.”
My heart leaps and brain screeches to a halt at the low, rich voice.Sebastian stands from his slouched position against the wall and takes my wrist.Shocked at the contact, I stare in mute surprise as he gently pries open my fist and places the ring he took from me yesterday onto my palm.The sight of my hand cradled in his with Terry’s ring at the center breaks something deep inside me.
If he had looked back even once after he left, maybe things wouldn’t have ended so tragically.If I hadn’t lost his protection the moment he graduated, maybe Terry and I wouldn’t have suffered so badly.If he had cared, maybe I would still have somewhere I belong.
I close my fist and yank my hand away.
“Don’t touch me,” I snarl.
He lifts his hands in the universal sign of surrender and steps back.
“Fuck, I’m sorry.That was stupid.I just keep defaulting to teenage idiocy around you.”
“So it’s my fault?”I snap.
His shoulders curl forward, and for half a heartbeat, my soul cries in misery.
He moves.I shuffle away in instinctual fear only to blink in confusion.The sight before me makes no sense.
Sebastian Sterling, a giant of a man with billions of dollars to prove his success, kneels at my feet with his long, callused fingers digging nervously into his jean-clad thighs and his pulse thrumming in his thick, corded neck as he aims eyes full of genuine regret into my soul.Sitting back on his heels, his face is lower than mine, but if he kneels up, our gazes might be level.
Yearning fills me.I want to step forward, grab him by the nape, and pull our fronts tight together just to know what it feels like.The thought of having his strength tucked tight against my body enthralls me.
The ring’s gemstone digs into my palm as I clench my fist to stop myself from reaching for him.I squash my curiosity using the fear pounding through my chest.
“I’m sorry, Penelope.I’m sorry for not respecting your personal space—both just now and yesterday—and for blackmailing you with something I had no right to take from you, and for speaking to you like—”
“Stop.Please.I don’t…I can’t…”
I can’t breathe.Can’t think.Can’t process.
The door opens beside me.
Mortification joins the storm of emotions whipping through me.
Sebastian moves before I can react, placing his massive body between me and the newcomer in the blink of an eye.
His deep voice vibrates into my bones as he speaks with the stranger, but my brain refuses to make sense of his words.
I startle when he squats beside me and instinctually meet his eyes.
“Penelope, will you sit with me for a few minutes?”
Sit?With him?
I should say no, but my dumbfounded brain refuses to take control of my body, so it moves according to its own agenda and nods.
His smile brightens his entire face.
Ushered into the dining room by a behemoth as though I’m made of glass, I sit as soon as he pulls out a chair for me and force myself to take a full breath before I pass out.
