***
After the meeting is over at eleven o’clock, I disappear into my office. It’s almost lunch when I receive an e-mail from Sebastian. The subject: Presentation Missing.
I frown. I’m not supposed to have the presentation ready until tomorrow. Even so, we agreed that I wouldn’t send him the presentation beforehand. I want to gauge everyone’s first reaction as I walk the marketing team through it tomorrow. I click the e-mail open. It contains one single line.
I can’t stop thinking about the kiss.
I bite my lip, staring at the screen. Part of me thought he wanted to forget the entire thing. Usually men run for the hills at the word marriage, even if it doesn’t concern them. But Sebastian didn’t kiss and run. I should’ve known he wouldn’t back away from a challenge. After all, he told me so himself.
I type back, It was a good kiss.
The ping announcing a new e-mail sounds a second later. Good? You’re hurting my pride.
Grinning, I wait for one whole minute before writing him back. It was great.
His reply comes in instantly. Great enough to repeat it?
Adrenaline fuels me. I’d forgotten how sizzling flirting feels. It’s dangerous territory.
This time it takes two whole minutes for his reply to land in my inbox. It feels like an hour. Maybe I’m the dangerous brother.
I lean back in my chair, contemplating the mess we’re in. Here he is, still wanting me. Don’t be stupid, Ava. You can’t throw all you’ve worked for away for a fling. My heart constricts, because I know this wouldn’t be a fling. Sebastian Bennett is too kind, too smart, and too perfect. Shaking my head, I go back to working on the presentation, losing myself in my work before long.
At one o’clock Sebastian bursts into my office, looking furious.
“I’m the CEO, you can’t ignore my e-mails.” He makes the assistant passing outside my door jump.
“Oh, did you send me more e-mails?” I check my in-box quickly, and discover that he did send me another e-mail, in which he asked me if we could grab lunch together. “I don’t have time—”
“I won’t hear any excuses.”
“Sebastian, I really want to get this presentation done.”
“I’m the CEO; you have to listen to me. This is nonnegotiable. Come on, grab your things.”
“You’re bossy,” I say. In an attempt to stand up to him, I fold my arms over my chest; but I can’t deny it, I cower a tad under his unwavering gaze.
“And you like it.” His fake frown melts into a grin.
“Maybe,” I admit, starting to rise from the chair. I do it with exquisite slowness, torturing him. “Are you the bossy brother?”
“You’re about to find out. Let’s go.”
“This needs to be quick, Sebastian. I mean it.”
“Duly noted.”
Picking up my bag, I ask him, “Where are we going today?”
***
Sebastian brings me to a beach for our lunch break. After finishing our tacos, we walk along the shore.
“This is nice.” I admire the light waves caressing the shore.
“I knew you’d like it.”
“I love the ocean. Lucky me that I’ve been sent mostly to coastal locations in the last year.” I peer out to the sea, watching the water reflect the sunlight.