“Time to go,” Sebastian says, walking into my room at a brisk pace.
I quickly close the leather room-service menu over the “2 Lias” drawing. I’d taken it out to reminisce for a couple minutes, but apparently Mr. Never-Late decided to leave five minutes early. “Okay, let me use the bathroom first.”
Once our original plans derail, I quickly follow Sebastian down the subway stairs. “I don’t understand why we didn’t just take that cab.”
“The one that just happened to drive up just as we discover the car waiting to take us to the signing has a flat?” He cuts me a sideways look. “I don’t believe in convenient coincidences.”
“So now the cab driver’s a stalker?” When he grunts and turns down a tunnel to our left¸ I throw my hands up and follow him. “You’ve been on edge ever since I told you what that reporter said. You heard people bumping into things in the dark. It’s more likely that someone accidently knocked that podium over.”
He faces me on the subway platform. “After the staff set the podium back up, I lifted it. That thing weighed at least forty pounds. I doubt a person bumping into it would’ve knocked it over.”
“Okay, so that’s a little concerning, but are you really worried about a seventy-year-old cab driver?”
The train arrives and we get on with the press of people around us. A huge group of college-age guys rush on at the last second just before the doors close. In the packed car, Sebastian wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me against him, speaking low in my ear. “Hate and vengeance are ageless. I’ve seen a seventy-year-old mow down a group of innocents without batting an eye, while a ten-year-old gleefully loads the next gun for him. Never underestimate motivation.”
I can tell his hold is more protective than sexual, and my heart twists that this is the first time he’s spoken about his military experiences, so I show my appreciation of his perspective by relaxing against his hard frame. He doesn’t have to know I’m also soaking in his irresistible masculine smell for as long as the ride lasts.
All too soon the subway cars start slowing. Just as the doors slide open, Sebastian’s fingers flex on my hip, the roughness in his voice sending chill bumps scattering across my skin. “When it comes to you, I always operate in the extreme.”
Unsure of his meaning, I don’t get a chance to respond as we’re swept up in the mass of people moving into the subway tunnels.
The last person I expect to see at the Brownstone bookstore is my editor standing with my agent Pauline. William is practically bouncing on his toes when Sebastian and I walk in. “Welcome, Miss Lone.” After Pauline hugs me in a cloud of chic perfume and wispy dark hair, William grins. “Right this way.”
Pauline always dresses sharp, and today’s eggplant business suit and plum lipstick are no exception. William’s wearing a business suit too, which is a surprising change from his normal everyday attire. They escort me over to the signing table, where stacks of Blindside are piled, and Kayla and a middle-aged woman are waiting with huge smiles.
“Welcome to the Brownstone, Miss Lone. I’m Eden Shaw, the owner,” the pint-sized lady with soft eyes and a gray pixie haircut says, clasping my hand. “We’re thrilled to host your first signing for the tour.”
I shake her hand and smile. “Thank you for having me, Ms. Shaw.”
“Please, call me Eden.”
While Kayla whispers excitedly, “This is the biggest signing turn out I’ve seen in a while,” as she takes my coat, Eden gestures to the long line of people behind a cordoned off rope.
“Your fans are ready whenever you are.”
I take in the crowd snaking through the bookstore and disappearing behind a row of bookshelves. Holding my trilogy books in their hands and wearing expectant expressions on their faces, they chatter amongst themselves. I smile at the few I make eye contact with.
Sebastian has taken up a position against the wall a few feet behind me. Of course he scrutinizes the people in line before shifting his gaze to the layout of the bookstore, making sure he as a clear view to the main door.
Glancing Pauline and William’s way, Eden says to my editor, “The readers have been told your book signing rule of one personal book beyond today’s purchase of Blindside, Mr. Mackens.”
William moves over to my left and claps his hands. “Wonderful!” Addressing the crowd, he says, “Are you ready, everyone?”
As they all cheer, he grins and rubs his hands together, his light green eyes full of mischief as he holds their rapt attention. “I just have one announcement to make before the signing begins.” Spreading his hands, he raises his voice to make sure it travels throughout the store. “I’m aware how many of you really enjoyed the romance subplot in Miss Lone’s previous trilogy. As you know Blindside is a mystery—” When groans of disappointment interrupt him, he grins. “But today I’ve got a surprise you weren’t expecting. Not only do you get to meet Miss Lone today, but the man who saved her life. In my book, nothing could be more romantic.” Turning to Sebastian, he waves him forward. “Mr. Black, would you please come to the table.”
Sebastian looks as surprised as Pauline, Eden, Kayla, and me. Once he steps to William’s left, my editor clasps his thick shoulder. “Meet the pilot from Blindside. That’s right, ladies and gents, Aaron White is here in the flesh.”
When a cheer rises up among the readers and Pauline joins in clapping enthusiastically, I manage to swallow the lump of surprise in my throat and smile at my fans—who seem genuinely thrilled as they stare at Sebastian. There’s no way I’ll look at him right now. Instead, I turn to William and act like he didn’t just drop a bomb in my lap. “Thank you for the introduction, William.” Gesturing to William and then Pauline, I tell my readers, “Meet my editor, William Mackens and my agent Pauline Grayson.”
William beams as the crowd applauds, then leans to his right and whispers in my ear. “Now that’s how we appease readers about the lack of romance in your book. They’ll spread the word. Have a wonderful signing. I’ll see you tonight at dinner, where I have another special announcement to make.”
Waving to the crowd, he walks over and hooks his arm with Pauline’s, saying, “We’re leaving things in Eden’s capable hands.” And as soon as he and Pauline walk out the door, the owner quickly takes charge. Unhooking the rope, Eden says to the fans, “If you’d like a picture, you’ll only be allowed one to keep the line moving. All we ask is that you have your phone or camera ready for Miss Lone’s assistant when you come up to the table.”
While Eden reiterates the “one personal book” rule, the readers are eyeballing Sebastian with fascination. Great. The man’s head will be so swollen, he won’t be able to fit through the doorway. I have a feeling Jared’s going to be royally ticked over his father’s off-the-cuff marketing angle, but I don’t have time to ponder beyond that as the line of readers move to my table.
The first few readers are shy and quickly get their books signed and move on, but the next group of four women who approach can’t keep their eyes off Sebastian. Once I sign the first lady’s copy of Blindside, she quickly turns to Sebastian and holds her pen out to him. “Will you sign it too, please?”
While I pretend I’m not annoyed that she’s asking him to sign and move on to her friend’s copy of Blindside, Sebastian sets the lady’s book on the table to my left and signs in a bold flourish.
When she makes a swooning sound and turns to show it to her friend, I catch a glimpse of his signature. Underneath my T.A. Lone signature, he put an ampersand and Aaron White. Sheesh, all that’s missing is a heart around our names.
I quickly cut a suspicious gaze his way. He’s looking down signing the second reader’s book, but I don’t miss his slight smirk. If I hadn’t seen the surprised look on his face when William called him over, I would think he engineered this whole scenario.
Before the next set of readers approach, I realize how subdued Kayla is. She’d been bubbly and excited when we first arrived, but now her smiles seem forced. Maybe seeing the readers romanticize my past with Mr. Black puts a wrench in her “seduce the sexy bodyguard” plans.
Trying not to grin too widely at that thought, I reach for the whole trilogy set held out by the blond middle-aged man in front of me, and Kayla puts her hand on the stack. “Excuse me, sir, but there is a one book policy.”
“But I’m a huge fan,” he says as he lifts a new copy of Blindside off the stack and sets it down for me to sign too.
Kayla purses her lips and pushes the stack back to him. “Choose one, please.”
When he sighs and hands me the first book, I give an apologetic smile. “Who should I make it out to?”
“Kenneth McAdams,” he says, holding my gaze.
I smile, and when I turn to the front page, he slides the other two books forward once more. “I really am your biggest fan. Would you mind, please?”
Just as I nod and reach for the two books in front of me, Kayla turns from talking to the reader behind him. “Excuse me, sir. I just told you—”
“She said it’s fine,” he says in a tense tone as he starts to reach in his jacket’s inside pocket.
Sebastian’s on him in a flash, clamping a restraining hand on his shoulder. “I think it’s time for you to move on.”
While the women gasp excitedly, the man pulls out a pen, disappointment spreading across his face. “But I’m here. Why can’t she just—”
“It’s fine. I’ll sign his books,” I say to Sebastian in a calm tone, holding my hand out for the man’s pen.
Sebastian grunts, then releases him, moving back in to position beside me.
Once I’ve signed his books, the man collects the stack and beams. “I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but I just don’t have the patience to stick with it. I read Blindside as soon as the eBook released. I think it’s your best work yet.”
I grin my appreciation. “Thank you, Kenneth. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.”
He starts to say something else, but a short lady in a knit cap and a calf-length down parka clears her throat and says in a raspy voice, “I’m burning up in here. Can you please move along?”
After he walks over to the register, the parka lady slides her Blindside book forward at the same time she hands her camera to Kayla. “I’d like a picture of Miss Lone with Mr. White, please.”
Before I can suggest that she stand in the picture with us, Sebastian clasps my free hand and pulls me to my feet, then nods to Kayla. “We’re ready when you are.”
While Kayla asks the lady about adjusting the zoom, I glance at him and grumble, “You’re enjoying this entirely too much.”
His lips curl in a ruthless smile and he says just low enough for my ears, “I think it’s hilarious that Junior disclosing our past to get that damned addendum added to the contract had to be what gave William this marketing idea.” Bright blue eyes dancing with merciless triumph, Sebastian pulls me against his side. “Smile for the camera, Miss Lone.”
I adjust the ribbon tie on my black wraparound sweater, making sure the red bow lays flat on my hip. Smoothing my knee-length black skirt underneath my rear, I take a seat beside Jared at Midtown Central’s senior staff table. Dressed more casually for this evening’s Christmas party, William steps behind the podium at the front of Regent’s Imperial ballroom to the applause of his employees.
Once their applause slows, William grins and begins speaking. “It has been a fantastic year at Midtown Central Publishing and I’m happy you’re here to celebrate our successes during this holiday party.”
“You really don’t have a clue who might’ve leaked the information about the threatening letters?” I whisper to Jared, trying to draw him out. He’s been unusually quiet ever since he met me at the ballroom doorway. It’s nice to see him without a tie for once. He looks more relaxed dressed in black slacks and a light blue V-neck sweater. His choice makes me glad I toned down the fitted strappy black dress Cass had packed for me with the crossover sweater. At least I have an excuse to wear my new red heels. With a small red bow at my hip the only color to my black outfit, the shoes add just enough Christmas pop to tie it all together.
Jared doesn’t take his eyes off his father as he shakes his head. “No clue. My father questioned everyone that knew anything about it, but no one’s admitting anything.” Turning to me, he clasps my hand resting on the table. “It’s going to be okay. We’ll work out the security thing.”
I furrow my brow. “I’m not worried about security. My bodyguard is more than capable. I’m just curious why someone would tell the media about the letters.”
Tension brackets around his mouth. “I don’t think it’s in your best interest to have a bodyguard who knows you personally.”
“Is this about your father’s announcement at the book signing today?” When he doesn’t answer, I shake my head, annoyed. Kayla must’ve told him. “I don’t want you to dismiss Sebastian for such a silly reason.”
His eyebrows pull down. “So it’s Sebastian now?”
I roll my eyes. “There’s no point in calling him Mr. Black when I know the guy.”
“Which leaves me wondering why you didn’t mention that fact on the day we hired him.”
I shrug. “He’s a professional. I didn’t want our knowing each other to impact your decision after the fact.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to say something about the addendum being proof I was right to stay quiet, but when his green gaze narrows slightly, I realize we really need to have that discussion. “Jared, we need to talk about—”
He holds his hand up. “You have to hear this part.”
Other than myself, only two other authors are at this party tonight, so I turn my focus to William.
“We’re very proud of all our authors’ accomplishments, so right now I’d like to recognize the editors who’ve had an especially fantastic year.”
I listen while he rattles off the plethora of acquisitions each editor has accumulated as well as the many awards their authors’ books have won and list rankings they’ve reached. My stomach starts to knot when I realize that I’ve been so anxious about the threats and book tour this week that I haven’t thought at all about how well my book’s sales have done. Normally I’m checking my on-line rankings daily or bugging my agent for my numbers. Just goes to show how idle minds really can get all worked up. From now on, during a release week I’m going to make sure I’m too busy doing something else to worry about rankings, sales, and hitting lists.
William saying my penname jerks me out of my thoughts. My editor is clapping, a huge smile on his face. “Congratulations on hitting the New York Times at number seven and the USA Today at nineteen, Miss Lone. I’m looking forward to many more from you.”
Blindside hit the lists? Why didn’t my agent tell me? I blink in shock, my cheeks flushing with heat. Every single person is looking at me. Smiling, I gesture toward William. Once the applause and attention moves away from me and back to him, I finally allow myself to breathe.
At the same time I exhale a calming breath, Jared’s hand squeezes my bare knee just below my dress’ hem, pulling my gaze to his. “Congratulations, Natalia. I asked your agent not to spoil the surprise tonight. We knew this book was special, and I’m glad everyone else has seen what my father and I did in it.”
Just as I clasp Jared’s hand to remove it from my knee, he surprises me further by snapping a half-inch wide, diamond cut bangle bracelet closed around my wrist. Untying the festive silver-threaded red bow, he slides the ribbon off the white gold bracelet, smiling. “This is your Merry Christmas slash ‘Congratulations on Hitting the Lists’ gift from me.”
“Thank you for the thoughtful gift, Jared.” The bangle shifts against the table when I move his hand from my knee and set our hands on the table next to my clutch purse. Releasing him, I say, “It’s a lovely gift, but it’s too much.” I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about that kiss. And now this? Is Sebastian’s presence making him move so fast? As I try to unsnap the stubborn locking mechanism on the bracelet, I continue, “I consider you a colleague and it just doesn’t seem appropriate—”
He covers his hand over mine and shakes his head. “Please accept my gift, Natalia. I’m willing to wait until the end of the tour to have dinner with you, but I saw the bracelet and couldn’t resist. I’ve never seen you wear one before, which is a shame…” He traces his thumb across the fine bones on my wrist. “You have such beautiful wrists, I wanted to decorate one.”
Well, shit this just escalated. How do I let him down easy without ruining my working relationship with him? Just as William ends his speech and applause erupts around us, the table vibrates under my purse. Untangling my hand from Jared’s, I murmur, “Sorry, I need to get this.”
Pauline Grayson: Congrats on hitting the lists, lady! I’m so excited for you. Hope you have fun celebrating tonight. I’ve sent your gift to your apartment. Be sure and save me a signed copy with Aaron White’s signature. He is one fine bodyguard!
“It’s from my agent,” I say to Jared as people begin to disperse from the tables to mingle and chat with others.
When he smiles and takes a sip of his scotch, I type her a message. Just as I hit send, another message comes through.
PainInMyAss: Hallway. Now.
I look to where Sebastian was standing earlier, but he’s already by the doorway waiting for me.
Does he have new information about the stalker?
Putting my phone away, I stand. “I’m going to the ladies’ room before it gets too crowded.”
Jared quickly follows suit. “I’ll escort you.”
“Go mingle.” I wave him on. “I’ll be right back.”
Sebastian follows me through the ballroom’s main door. As soon as we’re in the hallway, he clasps my elbow, his tone curt. “We need to talk.”
“Have you found out who’s stalking me?”
He doesn’t answer, but tugs me to the nearest door before escorting me inside.
“What is it with you and closets?” I say as he sets his lighted phone on an old speaker. Apparently this closet is a catch-all. Beyond the Valentines, Halloween, and Thanksgiving decorations stuffed against the back wall, it’s obvious by the clothes’ rods and empty hangers above our heads on either side of the narrow space, that it was used as a coat-check room at some point.
Sebastian takes my purse and sets it on the speaker. Lifting my wrist up between us, his gaze lasers in on the bracelet. “You won’t wear what I gave you, but you’ll wear this?”
Earlier when he met me in the hall to escort me to the event, he commented that I should’ve worn my necklace. Even though he was right that the gorgeous single pearl necklace would’ve gone well with my outfit, wearing it would send him the wrong signal, so I remained quiet and didn’t rise to the bait.
But his sharp tone raises my defenses now. I tilt my chin up. “It’s a congratulatory gift.”
“Did you see any one else getting a bracelet?” he grates out, stepping closer.
His nearness is unnerving. I back up to put space between us. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I tried to give it back. I don’t want anyone to think Jared’s playing favorites with me.” Raising my wrist once more, I twist the bangle around and squint at the latch. “The release clasp seems to be stuck.”
“Let me see it,” he rumbles and grasps the bangle. When he pushes the release button and the bracelet doesn’t pop open, his blue gaze snaps to mine. “It’s locked on you like some kind of damned shackle.”
Rolling my eyes, I pull away and try to unhook it once more. “I’m sure it’s just stuck.” Nothing budges.
Sebastian grunts and captures my hands just as I give up.
When he lifts my arms and sets my hands—one on top of the other on the rod a few inches above me—my voice pitches higher. “What are you doing?”
Curling my fingers on the back side of the cool metal pole, he folds his large hand on top of mine, locking me in place. “I’m reminding you what us feels like.”
If he starts working his magic, I’m a goner. I should never have let him lead me in here in the first place. Idiot. Panic sets in and I try to tug free, but his hand only curls tighter around mine.
“Be still and listen.” Pressing his other hand against the wall behind me, he leans in, his warm breath tickling my ear. “I saw that prick put his hand on your knee. No one touches you but me.”
His steely tone slams my heart against my chest at a crazed pace. I need a good offense before his possessive dominance robs me of all common sense. “Right now there’s a contract that says different,” I remind him.
His head snaps up and a knowing smile tilts his lips. “Actually, I’m following the letter of my contract. It’s my job to protect you from outside threats.”
“Threats to me or to your claim on me?” I counter, eyebrow raised.
His smile turns darkly savage. “I claimed you three years ago.”
“And you think that gives you squatters’ rights?”
When I snort, he bites out, “You’re mine.”
I hold his determined gaze, my heart leaping, daring to hope. “You can’t say you want me, but then claim not to do relationships.” I lay it out there, then hold my breath.
He scowls. “You’re the one who didn’t show up at that coffee shop.”
“Actually, I did. I came to bring you the watch. You’d helped me in the past. I wanted to return the favor, but then I overheard you on the phone. You were leaving, so I left and gave it to Mina instead.”
His gaze searches mine, surprise lurking in the blue depths. “You came?”
I nod and let the tension ease out of my words. “You were there when I needed you. I’ll always be here for you if you need me, Sebastian.”
“I don’t want to be your obligation.” His jaw tightens. “I want to be your fucking obsession.”
You’ve dominated my thoughts since I was thirteen. I’d say that’s pretty damn obsessed! I want to scream at him. Obsession is not love, nor does it imply commitment, so why should I expose my heart for him to toy with?
I don’t get a chance to say anything as his furious tone turns brutal yet silky. “But I’ll take obligation for now.” He steps close and his words vibrate in a sensual bass along my temple. “I need you.”
The yearning in his declaration clenches my insides. God, I crave his touch too, but I tilt my head back. “Not like that.”
His brows pull down. “Why not?”
“Because the word ‘relationship’ isn’t in your vocabulary.”
He shakes his head, frustration in his gaze. “I’ll always tell you the truth. I’m incapable of being more for you. I’m broken and will never be whole again.”
What happened to make him feel like this? Whoever said, “the truth hurts” wasn’t fucking kidding. I swallow back disappointment and grumble, “Like I’m a poster child for the perfect upbringing.”
His gaze holds mine, full of self-deprecating awareness. “I’ve destroyed every relationship I’ve ever had. I won’t let that be an option for us, because I will fuck it up. There’s a difference.”
I press my lips together. “Not to me there isn’t.”
His jaw muscle twitches. “So you’re just going to walk away. You can turn us off that easily?” he asks as he clasps the inside of my thigh.
I bite my cheek, using the pain to distract me from the seductive warmth of his touch as my skirt lifts with the slide of his hand up my thigh. Jerking my chin up, I tug to free my hands from his vise grip, but can’t bring myself to twist my hips away. While conflict rages between my head and heart, blood seeps onto my tongue as I hold his gaze with a steady one. “Yes.”
His eyes narrow. “Liar. And since you refuse to speak the truth, why don’t you let your body say it for you?”
My pulse thrums as he slowly turns his hand and traces his thumb down my silky underwear, spearing through the bit of hair. When his thumb hits my clit, I can’t hold back the gasp. He presses down, his tone cocky and assured. “Go ahead. Pull away from me. Show me that you don’t want me to make you come. If you can do that, then I’ll walk out of this closet and we’ll never discuss this again.”
When I slit my gaze on him, but hold myself still, he gives a dark smile and presses deeper, driving me to the edge of my sanity. “Tell me that you’re not aching for me to take you.”
No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop myself from wanting the bliss he’s offering. The woodsy notes of his cologne wrap around me, drawing me in, heightening my senses. My body craves the sensation of his hard frame pressing against mine. I miss that so much. The second I realize I’m reacting and my hips have started to roll, I stiffen and hold myself still. I grind my teeth and resist my need for arousing friction. Closing my eyes, I lower my head so he doesn’t hear my shallow breathing. Keep it together, Talia.
“If I move…” His voice is next to my ear now, his breath sensually inviting, warming my skin. “Will you shatter for me? Nothing is more beautiful then seeing you come apart under my touch. Show me that you feel as intensely as I do, damn it!”
I whimper and my arms shake while I try to remain perfectly still and not let my hips rock the way they want to.
Sebastian rolls his thumb over my clit twice more before he pulls my underwear to the side and flattens his fingers against my sex. “For someone who doesn’t want, you’re pretty fucking wet, Little Red.”
When he pulls away, I jerk my head up, ready to blast him for his smug arrogance, but I’m struck speechless by the look of pure pleasure on his face. Eyes closed, his cheeks are hollowed as he sucks his two fingers clean.
Releasing a low groan, Sebastian’s brilliant blue eyes snap open at the same time he pulls sopping fingers from his mouth. I barely have a chance to wonder why they’re so wet as he quickly slides them deep inside me.
I gasp at the pleasurable invasion, and my walls instinctively clamp around his fingers as my hips start to move on their own. With a primal grunt, he yanks his fingers forward, pulling me up on my toes and fully against his body. Holding me still, he bends close until we’re nose-to-nose, his tone possessively fierce. “I want to pee a goddamn circle around you so it’s clear to everyone that you’re mine, but at least you’ll be walking out of here with a part of me in you.” Moving his lips to my ear, his voice drops to a rougher husk. “Next time, I’m staking my claim so no one questions it.”
He releases my hands at the same time he pulls his fingers from me, merciless determination on his face.
Furious that I can’t control my physical responses around him, I ignore the edgy tension in his stance and shove him back. “That was just shitty. There won’t be a next time.”
“What’s shitty is you denying us both what we obviously want. Don’t let him touch you any more.”
“Fuck you!” I grab the doorknob, my hand shaking as I try to ignore the sexual frustration vibrating through me.
“Talia.”
His tone is calmer. I turn back, hoping he’s going to apologize, since he’s not calling me Natalia.
Arms folded, challenge flickers in his eyes. “Any time you’re ready.”