A Secret Proposal (Falling for Sakura 2)

"I just needed to get some medication from the drugstore," she said. "Iron deficiency. I thought as much. Always so tired."

"It's very common," Dave said behind her. "Young ladies tend to get iron deficiency, what with not eating well and all."

Sebastian glanced at Sakura. "You're still not eating right," he said. "We'll have to take better care of you, sweetheart." He caressed her cheek, his eyes soft on her.

Dave noticed the sentimental action and pretended a cough to get his friend's attention. When Sebastian reluctantly turned to him, Dave said, "More red meat more often. And of course, more sleep." He turned to Sakura. "You're not sleeping very well, are you?"

Sakura shook her head. She'd never been able to sleep well since she'd been little. Now and again, the nightmares would come. Though she had to admit she hadn't had one for a while now, since she'd met the brothers again at the hotel, in fact.

"Well," Dave said to Sebastian. "You take good care of your girlfriend." Then he added quietly so only Sebastian could hear him. "She's a keeper."

Sebastian laughed. "I know that."

After the friends said good-bye, Sebastian took Sakura to the drugstore for her prescribed medication.

"Where are you taking me?" Sakura asked some moments later, seeing that the car wasn't heading through the familiar streets toward the apartment.

"Lunch," Sebastian said, grinning from ear to ear. "I'm taking you to lunch."

"You're taking advantage of the situation, aren't you?" she asked, a glint in her eyes.

"Why, yes." He admitted. "Sakura, sweetheart, you do want to have lunch with me, don't you?"

She refused to tell him of course she did. She didn't want his ego to grow any bigger. The darn man.

Sebastian, however, could guess from the look on her face and laughed. "Where would you like to go?"

"I don't know. You choose," she replied,

"All right," he said. "How about Italian? We have a great Italian restaurant at Princeton Hotel."

"Sure, why not? That way we can stop by and say hi to Daddy James and Mom Brenda. Maybe if they aren't busy, they can join us. And Nicolas and Conrad, too."

Some five minutes later, they parked the car and got out. He rushed over to her side before Sakura could open the door. She laughed and said, "Sebastian, I'm not an in

valid, you know."

"Yes, I know that," he said. "But I did say I'd take good care of you."

She pulled a face. "What? Are you going to cook me amazing food full of nutrients, especially iron, every day?"

She was just joking, of course, but Sebastian looked like he was serious about it.

"I think I will," he said, "Once you've moved in with us. Hmm, I'll have to start learning from Beth."

She laughed. "Bearing in mind she considered you the best house husband, I'm sure Beth would be only too happy to have you under her command."

Sebastian pulled her in his arms and said, "Yes, she would, wouldn't she?"

Sakura blinked and looked up at him. "Why are you hugging me in the parking lot? People are looking."

Sebastian cocked his head to one side, mirth in his bright-blue eyes. "Oh? I don't see anything wrong with a couple hugging and kissing in the parking lot. It's normal for a guy to show his feelings to his girlfriend, I'm sure."

Sakura snorted at his statement. "Kissing? We're not--"

She didn't get to finish. Sebastian planted his lips on hers and kissed her hard, his tongue licking and caressing her flesh. The action made Sakura a little lightheaded.

When he pulled back, he was grinning. "There," he said. "I've wanted to do that to you since you landed on me this morning."

Sakura blushed and moved to get out of his arms. Sebastian wouldn't let her and tightened his grip. He was about to kiss her again when she said, "Sebastian, I'm hungry."

He laughed. "Of course you are, and I'm not about to make you miss your very important meal."

He moved back and, with his hand on her wrist, led her away from the car toward the elevator.

Some moments later, they were just heading toward the lobby of the hotel when Sakura said, "Wait, I need to go to the bathroom."

"Sure." He nodded. "I'll wait here."

"Thanks," she said and rushed off in the direction of the female restroom sign.

Once inside, Sakura quickly did her business, hoping Sebastian hadn't been waiting too long. After washing her hands, she headed back out the door, her feet hurrying across the corridor. She was opening another door that would lead her back into the foyer when she bumped into someone. She was about to apologize when she looked up. The moment her eyes met the elegant woman with perfectly styled blond hair, perfectly made-up face, and a powerful business suit, Sakura froze in place and her eyes rounded in terror.

The other woman stared at Sakura, a cold, shocked look plastered on her face--a face that was very similar to Tara's. Only this one was older and had more wrinkles. Quickly, she regained her senses and shoved Sakura to the side, throwing the girl off balance. Then she rushed away, her steps quick and the noise of her heels clip-clopping on the marble floor echoing in Sakura's head.