Page 49 of Brutal Heir

Just enjoy the shower.

The soap provided by the hotel smelled like lemongrass and eucalyptus. The silky bubbles foamed over my skin while I ran a washcloth along my arms and legs, erasing last night with every swipe. When I got out of the shower, reality would crash down on me like an icy bucket of water, but for now…for now, I could just be in the moment.

I tilted my head back and let the water stream over my face as I smoothed my freshly washed hair back.

“Bellissima.”

The smooth timbre of his voice sent a jolt through my body.

With a startled cry, I spun around, my bare feet slipping slightly on the slick tiles, catching myself when my back hit the cool, unforgiving marble. Water streamed down my face, blurring my vision, and I frantically wiped at my eyes.

Sebastian stood in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame as though he had all the time in the world. The epitome of effortless power, dressed in a crisp white dress shirt left tantalizingly open at the collar, revealing a hint of his tanned, muscular chest. The soft glow of the bathroom lights reflected off the fine fabric, making it seem almost too pristine for someone like him.

The dark-blue dress slacks hugged his long, lean legs, perfectly tailored to highlight his commanding frame. Every inch of him screamed control, authority, and an arrogance so unshakable it left no room for argument.

A wicked smile curled his lips—sharp, knowing, and laced with amusement.

“Enjoying yourself?” he drawled.

Heat surged through my veins, though whether from embarrassment or anger, I couldn’t tell.

“How—” My voice cracked. I swallowed hard and tried again, clutching the edge of the glass shower door for support. “How did you get in here? The door was locked.”

His smile deepened, a quiet, unspoken reminder of how meaningless a locked door was. His presence filled the space, an overwhelming weight that seemed to sap the air from the room.

“What do you want, Sebastian?”

He held my gaze for one agonizing moment, the air between us crackling with unspoken tension. Then his lips curved. “What I always want,” he murmured. “Everything.”

CHAPTER 14

SABRINA

My bare back arched as I slammed my body against the chilled shower tiles.

I curled my torso forward, hiding my breasts, and yelled, “Get out!”

I flailed my arm behind me in a blind search for the washcloth I’d hung on one of the shower nozzles. The moment my fingers touched wet terrycloth, I seized it and dragged it over my breasts as I crossed my legs.

I slid along the tiles to the far corner of the shower. “I mean it. Get out!”

The shower chamber was a thick piece of glass. There wasn’t even a shower curtain to hide behind. I was completely exposed. Vulnerable.

It didn’t matter if he was the richest man on planet Earth; that didn’t give him the right to just barge in on me naked.

Still, he didn’t speak.

He closed the distance between us in two measured steps and then stopped just short of the shower.

He was now practically within arm’s reach.

The washcloth and the streams of water shooting from the various shower nozzles positioned along the wall served as my only protection.

Keeping my eyes on him, I grasped one nozzle and threatened, “If you don’t leave right now, I’ll ruin your suit.”

And I would. I didn’t care that it probably cost more than my car. I didn’t care that it would actually be the second expensive suit of his that I’d ruined in less than twenty-four hours. If he took one step closer, I would hit him with a stream of water.

A shadow of a smile crossed his tight lips.