“He mellowed a little when the show ended. We were almost at peace for a few years. I mean, he was barely around, but whenhe was, he tolerated me better. But then my grandmother died and left me the mansion. And he hated that. He never wanted the house for himself. But I can see that if he wasn’t sure if I was really a Blake, how it would be a kick in the ass that I inherited it. And he would be right. My grandparents didn’t know—” He swallows.
“Don’t you even finish that thought.” My eyes narrow. “From everything you’ve said, your grandparents loved you. Nothing can ever take that knowledge away. And wasn’t your grandfather adopted himself? I remember you telling me that.”
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing. It’s not just about blood. You have your memories. You’re their grandchild. They’re part of you. And you’re part of them. That will never change. And now, you have the opportunity to be part of a new family as well. You deserve a family like the Mancinis. If you want them.”
He sighs. “I’m not sure what I want. I need time to think.”
“Youneed time to think?” I tease, wanting to lighten the mood. “Who are you, and what have you done to my ex-boss?”
He chuckles. “You’re rubbing off on me. Maybe I should make a twenty-point list.”
I whisper a kiss over his chest, affection running through me, so sweet and sharp that it almost hurts.
“I’m—I’m supposed to leave tomorrow. Except that was before. I can—Do you want me to stay?” I dare to ask.
“Don’t you have to be back in LA for your meeting?”
“I mean, I do. But…” I know I swore I wouldn’t let Sebastian steal any more of my time. But that was Sebastian Blake, the boss. Sebastian Blake, the man, doesn’t need to steal my time. He already has it, freely given. Just as I can finally admit that he already has my heart. I thought I could do this just for fun. But I was kidding myself.
Sebastian came here to the Mancinis’ even when he knew it would hurt. For me. I can be here for him.
“I can reschedule it—”
“No,” he says swiftly, starkly.
No is a complete sentence.
Pain steals my breath. Maybe I got it wrong. Maybe I overstepped, wanting to be needed. Isn’t that what I normally do?
“You have to go,” he urges, softer now. “Your meeting is important. I appreciate everything. I was reeling. And you were the only solid thing holding me together. That’s you, Em. That’s always been you. But I can handle this on my own. It’s time I did.” He flashes me his half-smile. “My world, my shit, isn’t as important as yours. I know that now. And I refuse to let you cancel on my account. You’ve done that for too many years.”
“So this is our last night.” It’s not a question, but it’s not quite a statement either. I hate how small and needy I sound.
The planes of his face realign. “No, Em—”
I stop the rest of his words with a kiss, afraid of what I might hear. He cares about me and I care about him. But this was never meant to be long-term. I refuse to ruin our last night together with promises neither of us can keep. I have a business to run. And he has a movie to film. And beyond that…
Our kiss deepens, wiping anything else from my mind. No matter what happens beyond tonight, we have this.
He runs his hands over me possessively, as if claiming me as his.
And that’s when I realize.
No matter how far I walk, or how high I climb, or what I build, a part of me will always be Sebastian Blake’s. And nothing I do will ever change it.
CHAPTER 41
Emma
The car rideto the airport is way too short. We woke this morning, made love again, showered together, got dirty again before finally getting dressed for the day, and then, with a lump in my throat and tears threatening, I packed efficiently while Sebastian sat on the bed, watching me with sagged shoulders.
I’m booked on a private flight back to LA this morning. I tried to argue with him that I’d already booked a regular flight, but he told me to cancel and insisted on this plane, saying it would be more efficient, and he knows how much I love efficiency.
I mean, I do. But maybe I could love a little chaos if it would delay saying goodbye.
We’re sitting in the back of the car. Sebastian told the driver to take my bag to the plane and give us some privacy.
