Your Irresistible Love (The Bennett Family 1)

Sebastian shakes his head as he watches them leave. We return to our course, and after about ten minutes of silence, I ask tentatively, “Sebastian?”

“Hmm.” He’s lost in thought, watching his plate. A frown is on his face that wasn’t there before the interruption.

“What was that?”

He takes a sip of wine, leaning back in his chair. “Lisa and I dated a few years back.”

“I kind of gathered that. What happened?”

He watches me for a few seconds, as if considering his words. “There’s no point skirting around this, so I’ll be straightforward. I thought she loved me. She loved my money. After two years of dating, I found her fucking someone at the golf club. She told me to my face she was after my bank account.”

“That’s horrible. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well.” He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand, but I can tell this is still bothering him. “It was my own fault. I should’ve looked at the signs earlier. They were there to see.”

“Like what?”

Sebastian shakes his head, giving me a smile laced with bitterness. “She barely made time for me, and when she did, it was only so we could attend whatever social event was most popular. If I brought the issue up, she tossed in my face that I didn’t make time for her either, that I gave priority to my family over her. She never wanted to attend any family gatherings, said they were boring.”

“It sounds like you dodged a bullet.”

“Bullets are all I had for years.”

“Surely not all women were after your money.”

“Some weren’t, directly. But they were more interested in what they could get from me, like a leg up in society or in their careers. I was naive about this at first. Growing up in my family, I thought my parents were the norm. Finding someone, falling in love, staying in love and having a family. It seemed simple enough. The reality turned out different. I was trying to wrap my mind around the idea that I’ll end up like that schmuck Lisa’s marrying. Knowing she wants to tie the knot with my bank account, but preferring that to being alone.”

“Sebastian,” I admonish. “I told you before money isn’t all that people see in you.”

“Money complicates everything. It changes what people see in you.”

“Not all people.”

“What do you see in me?” He wiggles his eyebrows. Flirty Sebastian’s back. Good.

“Look who’s fishing for compliments now.”

“Humor me. Hot and smart don’t count. You already said that.” His eyes glint with mischief, but I detect a hinge of insecurity in his playful tone. The thought that even a man like him—especially him—has doubts, breaks my heart.

“You are funny, caring, and loyal to your family.” Before I can stop myself, I add, “You are the only man I’ve felt safe with.” I suck in my breath. “Emotionally, I mean.”

“I know what you meant,” he says softly. Taking my hand in his, he plants a small kiss right in the center of my palm, sending electrifying sparks dancing across my skin.

Why am I so open with him? With other men, I guarded my feelings because I was scared that saying them out loud would send them running for the hills. With Sebastian, I have no such fears. Maybe because I know I’ll lose him anyway.

“For what it’s worth, you’re unlike any other woman I’ve met. You make me feel. . . everything.”

The waiter interrupts us. “Can I get you another round of drinks?”

“We’re good.” Sebastian doesn’t take his eyes off me, and the waiter gets the drift, leaving at once.

“I wanted another cocktail.”

“Bad idea. You’re tipsy already; you’d get drunk. I’d rather you be sober to feel all the delicious things I’ll do to you.”

“So much talking,” I complain, brushing my ankle across his. “Show me.”

“Patience.”