I caught the flutter of her cream blouse as the ladies’ room door closed. Leaning against the wall, I pulled my phone from my pocket and waited. I typed a message to my secretary about my father’s upcoming trip to the Pacific Northwest, but my true attention was focused on the door that separated me from my prize.
The door opened and she stepped out. About to walk past me, she paused.
“Sebastian?”
I glanced up from my phone and smiled. “Hello…” I let the word trail off, as if I was having trouble placing her.
She didn’t miss a beat. “Camille, from the gala.”
“Right.” I shook my head. “Sorry about that. It’s been a long day.”
“No worries.” She stepped closer as a pair of women in short skirts pushed past us and into the restroom. “What brings you here?”
“I was supposed to meet a friend, but he had to cancel at the last minute.” Playing to sympathy had always resulted in positive outcomes. “Since I was already at the bar, I figured I’d have a drink and call it a night.”
“Do you want to sit with us at the bar?”
Yes, I want to keep a hold on you. “No, I couldn’t impose.”
“It’s not imposing, unless you don’t want to socialize with employees or something. Link and Hal are with my friend Veronica and me. I’d understand if that wasn’t your thing.” She shrugged, then squeezed my forearm. “But I’m certain we’d all love to have you.”
Her touch was just what I needed. The devil inside me roared to life, greedy for more contact from the angel standing in front of me.
“Well.” I drew out the word as if this were a tough decision for me. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips as she stared up at me, doe-eyed and completely unaware of the danger I posed.
“Come on. Let’s get a drink.” She tugged my arm, and I let her pull me toward the bar.
We maneuvered past several people, and I enjoyed the view of Camille turning her hips to slide through the crowd ahead of me. She was like a Christmas gift that needed to be unwrapped and enjoyed. I’d take my time with her when the moment came.
Link saw me first, his mouth turning down at the corners as his eyes deadened. He plastered his fake as hell smile on his face to try and hide it. Unlike Camille, he sensed the threat.
“Sebastian, what are you doing here?” He held his hand out and we shook, his grip telling me that he wanted supremacy. He would never get it. I had an inch and maybe twenty pounds on him, and I would fight dirty.
“Just getting a drink before heading home.”
“He was meeting a friend who ditched.” Camille leaned into Link, and he slid a hand to her waist. Touching my property right in front of me.
“Mr. Lindstrom.” Hal’s meaty palm met mine.
“Hal.”
“Hello there, tall, dark, and handsome.” The blonde spun away from the bar and eyed me like a hungry predator.
“Veronica.” Camille’s sweet voice turned stern. “This is Sebastian, Link and Hal’s boss.”
“What are you drinking?” Veronica held up one finger, and the bartender walked right over.
“I’ll have whatever you’re having.” I smiled, feigning interest as Link stared daggers at me. I needed to throw him off, make him think my interest lay elsewhere.
Veronica nodded. “Good choice.”
“I think I’m going to call it a night.” Hal stood and retrieved his credit card from the bartender.
“So soon?” Link clapped him on the back. “We just got here.”
Hal glanced to Camille and signed his tab in a hurry. Interesting. “I’ve got a tennis lesson set first thing tomorrow. I forgot about it.”
“You? Tennis?” Link popped a toothpick between his lips. “Seriously?”
“Yep.” Hal tucked his wallet into his back pocket and gave a small wave. “Nice to see you ladies. And gents, I’ll catch you at the office on Monday.” He hurried away through the crowd.
“What was that all about?” Link claimed Hal’s seat at the bar and pulled Camille between his thighs.
“Tennis, I guess.” Camille answered a little too quickly, then took a gulp from her martini glass.
“That guy playing tennis?” Link rested his fingers along Camille’s hips. “Not a chance.”
I followed the movement of his fingertips, the slight pressure he exerted on her. A vision of him with a knife protruding from his neck made me smile.
Link returned my grin. “You imagining him on the court too?”
“Yes, funny.” I took a high ball glass from Veronica and sipped at the smoky liquor inside. It burned on the way down, but I’d always enjoyed pain. It was one of the few things that made me feel human.
Camille set her half-full glass down. “I think I’ve already had enough. That thing was strong.”
“You kidding?” Veronica took the drink and tossed it back, a twisted lemon rind dangling from the side. She slapped the glass down and leaned one elbow against the bar, her eyes roving me. “Tell me more about being the boss.”