Page 64 of Brutal Heir

A blade I’d bury in the heart of her father’s fragile illusions of power.

CHAPTER 17

SABRINA

“Idon’t believe you.”

His brow arched as he stepped forward, pushing me farther into the closet. He stretched his arms over my head and gripped the empty hanger bar. “Are you calling me a liar, Sabrina?”

As his robe shifted, it revealed more of his olive-toned chest, lightly dusted with black hair. I also had a better view of the tattoo over his heart. It appeared to be some sort of crown in the middle of a spiky purple flower.

I refused to let my gaze drop any lower.

“No, I…I just don’t think…I’m too early in my career for someone of your notoriety to notice me.”

He reached for the top button on my borrowed shirt. “The use of antique mirrors and shadow in the shoot for Venom and Velvet.”

He flicked the button open.

His hand moved to the second button. “The shattered glass and metal sculptures in the Obsidian Reverie collection window display in New York.”

The back of his hand brushed the curve of my breast as he moved to the third button. “The silhouettes and halos of light in the Eclipse Noir purse catalog.”

He recounted some of my most successful projects—projects I had assumed were far beneath the notice of the House of Diamanti.

His fingertip traced my collarbone, then down between my breasts. “Does that…satisfy your curiosity, mia sospettosa piccola americana?”

I clutched at my shirt. “Okay, fine. You know my work, but that doesn’t prove you’re not offering me this position just to sleep with me.”

“The last thing I want to do is sleep with you.”

I pushed my hair forward over my shoulders, shielding my exposed skin. “That’s not what I meant. I meant…I meant…”

He leaned down, his tongue tracing the edge of my ear. His hand slipped around my waist as he rasped, “Sex, dolcezza. You meant sex.”

I ducked under his arm and backed away. “Yes, that.”

Before he could respond, I turned, intending to head out of the closet.

As I buttoned my shirt, I raised my chin and faced him instead. “I know I’ll probably regret this, but I’m sorry. I can’t accept your job offer.”

“Are you saying no?”

I twisted the ring on my finger, avoiding his stern gaze.

Keenly aware Sebastian was not used to hearing the word no, I wanted to be crystal clear that my mind was made up.

Or at least sound that way.

“I’m saying thank you, but no,” I whispered.

His lips lifted into what should have been a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I’m not accustomed to accepting the word no.”

“I’m aware of that.”

Fuck. I needed to get out of this closet before he…

Sebastian advanced toward me.