Then gradually, I become aware of it. The sound of clapping slowly registers.
And… is that a wolf whistle?
I shift back from Sebastian as reality intrudes. I look around, coming out of my fog to find the entire room watching us with wide smiles.Shit.
For someone who never blushes, my face feels like it’s on fire. Sebastian takes my hand, and I notice he’s not as steady as he appears.
Thankfully, the party breaks up then, and our hosts walk us out of the dining room. I’m grateful for the distraction because I’m still trying to catch my equilibrium.
At the foot of the dramatic staircase, Dario pats Sebastian on the back. “I’m so pleased you finally took me up on one of my many invitations, young man,” he says heartily.
Maricella nods. “Dario’s been trying to lure you into starring in one of his movies for years. But you keep turning down his offers.”
My head whips around. What the hell? All of Hollywood wants to work with Mancini. Sebastian’s turned down what sounds like leading roles with him and has never mentioned it.
My ex-boss remains silent, his jaw tense.
“We’ll talk,” Mancini says, as if he’s afraid of spooking a wild horse. “I’m just glad you’re here. Both of you.”
When we’ve said our good nights, Sebastian leads me up the stairs with a hand burning the bare skin of my back.
As soon as we’re out of earshot, I turn to him. “Why aren’t you more excited that the most famous director in the worldseems to want you in his movie? Have you really turned him down in the past?” Then something worrying occurs to me. “Mancini didn’t do anything… creepy, did he? Back when you worked for him?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing like that.”
“Then why don’t you want to work with him again? And if you don’t want to work with him, why are you even here?”
“I’m here for you, Em,” he says simply. “To make sure you’re safe. To make sure you don’t overdo it.” He reaches out and tucks a curl behind my ear. My skin tingles like it’s been branded. “But mostly,” he says, his voice deepening, “I just want to be wherever you are.”
My breath catches at his admissions.
And at his smile. It has many iterations.Teasing. Carefree. Sardonic. Challenging.But this one feels brand new.
I try to name it. Categorize it.
Tender.
I swallow audibly and think of our kiss. How is this all changing so fast? My brain can’t keep up. But maybe it’s okay just for tonight—for this weekend—to not even try to think ten steps ahead.
“I’m glad,” I admit, feeling as shy as a schoolgirl with my first crush.
Joyful.That’s his answering smile. And I suspect it’s mine.
Hand in hand, we make the rest of our way to our wing and our bedroom, my heels clicking on the dark wood the only sound. I’m too breathless, too tongue-tied to talk.
I count the rooms we pass. One. Two. Three. Four. Five.
Until we finally arrive at our bedroom.
It’s not mine or his. It’sours. And we have all night.
CHAPTER 32
Sebastian
I domy best to get myself under control and ignore the elephant in the room—the enormous four-poster bed.
All night, I couldn’t stop staring at Emma in that little red dress hugging her slight curves and showing off her luminous skin. At the table, I couldn’t resist running my fingers over her back showcased in the deep V that plunged low. She startled and gasped at my touch but didn’t move away.
