Chapter 17

I opened the oakwood door to Seb’s spacious office and saw him sat behind the desk looking down at something while tapping his pen against the wooden desk. Since I've been here there weren't many times where Seb hasn't been working. Work consumed him nearly whole as he was also always talking or messaging people about work.He noticed me come in a moment later as the door softly hit against the door stop mounted on the wall near the floor. His head lifted, revealing his tired eyes and his frown that wasn't out of anger. He looked exhausted. He muttered a quick hello before going back to whatever he was doing.I walked across the floor to one of the black leather seats that sat across from his desk. Crossing one leg over the other, I sat back in the chair. "What are you working on?" I asked, hoping he wouldn't mind the random question. I didn't want to admit to him that I wanted to know more about the whole Santiago situation. I knew he was a bad person, but this was more than I thought he'd even be capable of.He let out a long sigh, dropping the pen to rake a hand through his dark hair that was in need of a haircut. It nearly fell to his nose when he had looked up. "A lot," was his too simple of an answer.I narrowed my eyes at him and huffed. "Very informative, thank you."He softly chuckled as he leaned back into his chair, swiveling slightly. "I really don't think you want to know." His words sounding more like a warning.I gave him a pointed look with a raised eyebrow. "Try me, Drama Queen.""First off,"He started as he sat up in his seat, folding his hands on his desk. "I'm not a drama queen." His statement made me chuckle. I guess he just needed to clarify that. "Second— I'm finishing the last of the arrangements needed for another business event I know you'll be so exited for." His lips lifted into an innocent looking smile.I groaned, leaning my head back. "Why another?" I complained. I looked back up to meet his eyes filled with amusement as mine were full of dread no doubt.His wide playful smile turned into a small reassuring one "This one in particular is more important than the others. All of the investor's come together to basically network and meet people. It happens once a year."I crossed my arms over my chest. "I feel bad for anyone truly married to someone in this industry considering they must own a thousand gowns by now." I've only been here for two months and own more dresses I know what to do with.He raised an eyebrow and smirked at me. "Most woman would love to own a thousand gowns." His voice questioning.I shrugged. "Most woman don't have need one gown, let alone a thousand. Believe it or not, but living amongst rich assholes isn't what everyone desires." I pointed out to remind him of how he isn't most people and neither were the people he was surrounded by. Most people had to work for everything they've got. Not to say Seb doesn't work hard , but he's certainly been given the comfort of living lavishly his whole life from his parents original accomplishments.He nodded and stood from his chair to walk over to the front of his desk. He rested against it as one ankle crossed the other. "How about a pant suit forFriday?" He jokingly offered.Did this man listen to anything I just said?I rolled my eyes but smiled. "How kind of you to offer, but no, Seb, I'm not wearing a pant suit."He smiled and shook his head lightly. "You're unlike most woman in my world, Christiana ."I said an eyebrow, challenging him. "Is this a good or a bad thing?"He tapped on his chin as he bent his head to the side slightly. "Hmm... I'm still trying to figure that out myself.""Well let me know when you do. In the mean time I've got to go on an invtericew with Olivia tomorrow." I brought up my plans suddenly remembering. I had meant to tell him yesterday, but after everything happened with finding those files I completely forgot."Interview?" He questioned.I nodded. "Yup," popping the 'p'. "I guess the New York Times wants to do a piece on us." I said, repeating Olivia’s words. I highly doubted that the interview was their idea. My mother probably asked them if they would. When she and Santiago got married they were all over magazines and gossip shows. This was her one shot to get her fifteen minutes of fame back."Be weary of everything they say, Christy ." He said seriously while rubbing the side of his jaw in annoyance. "You haven't even trained for interviews. This is ridiculous," He declared as he began pacing with slow steps."Trained?" What on earth would I have to train for? "I'm not a damn circus monkey." I snapped.His pacing stopped and he turned to me. "Some of these interviews will have you on a string saying things you'd never thought you'd say. They provoke and prod to get any details they want."Just wonderful."What time?" He asked quickly."Four freaking am." No one should ever be awake this early. If I ever become president I'm making it a law. He mumbled something under his breath I didn't catch before turning his head to look at me. "There isn't much time to prepare you then. Please just take what I said seriously." Seb nearly begged as he walked, now kneeling in front of me, his eyes on mine.I nodded and took his hand that rested beside my knee, giving it a quick squeeze. "If Olivia is with me I probably won't get to say a word anyway." I joked, attempting to put his worry at ease.He chuckled and brought my hand to his lips, leaving a kiss on top. "Well that's reassuring,""I'll let you get back to work." I said awkwardly as his hand still held mine. Moments like these made me not know how to feel about Sebastian . I trusted him, which is saying a lot. I wouldn't necessarily call him a friend, but he was more than an acquaintance. The sweet moments I've shared with Seb are enough to make me blush, but they also scared me. I didn't want to open up to him fully because I was terrified of having my heart broken."Go on a date with me tonight." He said, taking me by surprise. Seb and I usually ate dinner together, but it was odd hearing him actually ask me on a date."A date?" I asked, saying the word as if it were poison. It had been a long time since I was out one of those. These past few years I'd been so focused finishing my degree that I never made time for anyone, let alone some boy that would most likely only want one thing.He chuckled and then smirked. "Yes, a date." He confirmed.I laughed awkwardly, not really knowing what to say. I had my fears wanting me to say no, but I couldn't deny liking him. He was nice to be around especially since everyone I'd met otherwise we're terrible. "I don't know—""It's just a dinner, Christiana ." He reasoned calmly, his tone almost sweet. "I won't bite," He promised with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "hard,"I rolled my eyes at him. "You're crazy,""For you," He said, his eyes darkening. His hands gripped both arm rests as he pushed himself up to lean closer into me.My hand went up to his chest, the materiel of his crisp white shirt underneath my touch. I pushed slightly, stopping him from inching any closer like I knew he had planned to do. "Seb," I said warningly.The small smirk and eyes not leaving my lips said to me that he knew exactly what he was doing. "Hmm?" He hummed innocently.The smell of his minty breath mixed with his smell of sandalwood and fresh linen captivated me, only making me want to draw him in closer. My subconscious's feelings got the better of me and I decided to do something I normally would.I was going to beat him at his own game. I put on a smirk of my own and leaned forward to where my lips grazed his jaw line causing him to intake a sharp breath. My hand lightly touched the back of his neck, lightly gripping the hair towards the end of his hairline."Christy," He nearly growled out. I'd never admit it out loud, but I loved getting a reaction from him.I took my bottom lip in with my teeth to stop the smile that threatened to appear. I wouldn't be giving in this early. "Yes?" I asked with the same innocent tone he had before.I knew he wouldn't let me have control for long. Soon he had me leaning back against the chair as his head dipped down to my neck, leaving a kiss near my collarbone. "You're playing a very dangerous game." He whispered against my skin, sending chills through my body.He was the predator and I was his prey."I like games," I quipped, nearly whispering.His head lifted up so his eyes could meet mine. "Is that so?" He inquired with a lazy smile.I nodded and began to trail my hand from the back of his neck, to his shoulders, down his arms, and across his chest. I watched him tense under my touch, his eyes never leaving mine. I let my hand wonder down, feeling his toned abs under my hand. Once I got to his navel, Seb’s hand quickly reached down to bring mine back up. "Something wrong?" I innocently asked, teasing him with a smile.He eyes were darkened with lust as his gaze went from my eyes down to my chest. "Yes," His voice was husky. I didn't get to reply as we were quickly reversed in positions. His hands had gripped my hips so that he was now sitting in the chair with my legs on either side of his, straddling him. "The problem, my dear Christiana , is that it's been entirely too long since I last kissed you." His hands reached out to cup my face, bringing me to him as his lips were placed on mine.Something about this kiss was different. He kissed me with passion as his lips moved slowly against mine. It was almost as if he were savoring every moment. One of his arms snakes around my waist, pulling me impossibly close and his hand resting on my lower back. His other hand was tangled in my hair, sometimes softly pulling and running his hands through it.I kissed him back with just as much tenderness, my hands both in his amazingly thick hair that every girl only dreamed of having. I noticed every time I'd gently tug on the ends a low groan came from him.Surprisingly, Alex was the one to break our kiss, leaving us panting. He leaned his forehead on mine and swiped my swollen lip with the pad of his thumb. "If you keep moving your hips like that I don't think I'll be able to stop." He breathed out.I blushed profusely, not realizing that I was basically dry humping the man.His chuckle didn't help anything. He tucked the hair behind my ear and lifted my chin back slightly to make eye contact with me. "Don't be embarrassed in front of me, Christy . I'd be a liar to say I didn't enjoy it." He confidently said with a smile.I groaned and got off his lap to adjust my shorts and shirt that had risen up slightly. "I've got to, uh, call Kayla." I lied. I just needed to make something up to get out of this office with him.He nodded, a small and knowing smile on his face. "Was us making out a yes to dinner?" He smugly asked.I rolled my eyes, but nodded. "Yes, "His eyes lit up in victory. "Meet you in living room at six."I laughed. "Sounds like a plan,""Sounds like a date," he quipped.