“No. This is an incredible opportunity to work with a legendary director. I don’t want you to jeopardize it for me. It’s only three months. We can use that time to think. Get used to this.”
I swallow, knowing this is the smart move, but worried that Sebastian won’t be interested in pumping the brakes. That he’ll get bored and move on.
He brushes a hair out of my face and tucks it behind my ear. “I can do whatever you need. If you need time, you have it.”
I nod. Happy he’s agreeing because I know this is the best plan. And maybe I’m also disappointed that he isn’t sweeping me in his arms, telling me to hell with slow, and swearing his undying love.
I never said my heart made sense.
Then he smiles, a sensual unfurling. “You get three months, and then all bets are off. Then I can take it at whatever pace I want.”
I gulp audibly. But agree. “Three months,” I say weakly. “After that, if you still want—”
He runs the fingers that have been playing with my ear down my neck to my chest and dips them into my shirt. “Oh, I’ll still want. Can I show you just how much?”
“The pilot is waiting for us. And we’re in the car.”
“The car has awesome tinted windows. And I can make us both come fast.” He flashes me my favorite smile. “Come on, Em. I dare you.”
And just like that, I’m in his arms. Sebastian can make me feel every emotion in the span of a conversation. He’s a wild ride, taking me from fear to pain to joy to completely turned on. It’s a gift and a curse.
But mostly, a gift.
CHAPTER 42
Sebastian
I,Sebastian Blake, love Emma Reynolds. And that’s why I let her go.
She’s gone.
I’m almost knocked out by a wave of longing at that thought. I want to call her. Tell the plane to turn back.
I stare out at the field of grapevines through the sunroom’s large picture window and wish the coffee cup I’m holding contained something much, much stronger. It’s now past noon, so it’s just me and my dark thoughts to keep me company.
Damn, I’m pitiful.And I know I’m being way too dramatic. Emma would say it’s because I’m an actor, and actors are dramatic.
I smile, picturing her here, sitting next to me. Picturing myself kissing her. Convincing her to go back up to our room in the chateau. Convincing her to…
Damn, I miss her so much already.
And she’s not my assistant anymore, so despite what I warned her earlier, I probably shouldn’t annoy her with tenthousand messages and calls a day like I used to do when she was on the payroll.
That would be a turn-off, right?
“So Emma’s gone?” I turn to see Dario…dear old Dadenter the room.
It’s awkward as hell. We spoke this morning briefly before I drove Emma to the airport and put her on the plane.
“She is,” I say, trying not to look devastated.
He sits next to me and puts a hand on my shoulder.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I bark out a laugh. “Should I tell my surprise father about how I’m in love with my pretend fiancée?” The truth just emerges from my lips. But I’m glad it’s out there.
Dario looks startled. “Pretend… ?”
