She squirmed in her seat and speared the green beans across her plate.
“What now?” he asked, irritation starting to lace his voice.
“That’s the other thing. Monique called today and we were wondering—she wanted to know if Josh could drop her off in the morning so we could spend the day together. It would be nice to have some company while you’re gone. I missed you today.”
Holding her breath, she watched Sebastian and waited. He seemed to be mulling her words over, weighing them. She rubbed the lacquered cherry table with the pad of her index finger as the seconds ticked by.
“I don’t like you both being alone in the same place. It makes for too easy of a target.” He shook his head, scrubbed a hand across the back of his neck, and sighed. “I will look into having extra security tomorrow, if that would make you happy.”
“It would, Sebastian,” she whispered. “Thank you.”
After clearing the table, she put the leftovers away and started the dishwasher. The soft rhythmic hum flooded the kitchen and helped her feel more at ease. Padding through the house, she found Sebastian in his study. She loved the masculine room with its dark wood and earthy Tuscan tones. He sat behind his desk, rocking slightly in the padded leather chair as he studied the computer screen. One finger rubbed lightly across the golden stubble above his lip, and every now and then, his eyes narrowed in thought. Taylor leaned a hip against the doorway, content to watch the wheels in his intelligent mind work.
Not only was the man sexy as hell, but he was so smart it was scary. She’d seen him put facts together and process things in ways that very few people could. He was always two steps ahead and his observation skills were astounding. Nothing ever went unnoticed with him. Nothing was ever missed. In some ways, she found that fact comforting—and in others, it chilled her to the bone.
“You’ve been standing there forever,” he said without looking up. “Did you need something?”
“Just you,” she murmured. “Mind if I come in?”
He shut the monitor off and scooted his chair back. His eyes crinkled at the corners as he fought a smile and patted his lap in invitation.
“I’ll give you a choice, handsome,” Taylor offered as she strolled across the room. She didn’t miss the way his gaze followed the gentle sway of her hips. Sebastian leaned back in his seat and a leisurely grin eased his serious expression.
“Will you now? And what would that be?” he asked in a husky whisper.
“I can give you the best shoulder massage you’ve ever had,” she said, bending down to kiss the side of his neck. He groaned in pleasure as she started to knead the firm muscles nestled beneath his skin. “Or we can do things in this chair that will guarantee you’ll never look at your office the same way again. The choice is yours, handsome. What’s it going to be?”
He threw his head back and regarded her with a raised brow. Taylor squeaked as he swiveled the seat around without warning and jerked her down into his lap. His hard, corded arms locked around her, pinning her against his chest. Nipping teeth and the short stubble of his goatee scraped against her throat, making her squirm.
“It’s no choice at all, love. I’m going to get both.”
Chapter 4 ~
Sebastian turned his cheek to accept his sister’s dutiful kiss as he let Monique and Josh through the front doors. Anger and annoyance still thrummed through his system. She knew better than to back him into a corner. Still, there was no denying the benefits of allowing the girls a little playtime together. At least his sister understood the rules and the way things worked in their world. If she were smart, she would guide Taylor, rather than try to lead her astray. Frowning, he let his stare bore into his sister for a long moment, wondering what her angle was. Monique’s gaze swept his face, trepidation clear in the depths of her luminous green eyes. Forcing a small smile he didn’t feel, he stroked a thumb over her cheekbone before dismissing her with a nod of his head. Josh shrugged as she fled toward the kitchen and the safety of female companionship.
“I thought she was going to wring a hole in her shirt on the way over here.” His grin faded when Sebastian didn’t return the gesture. “I’m sorry about this, Baas. Mo ambushed me with the idea when I got home, too. I told her it wasn’t a good idea and you weren’t going to be happy.”
“She put me in a bad spot. Why didn’t she discuss it with you before running it by Taylor?”
Josh tossed his hands in the air in show of helpless frustration. “She wasn’t thinking. The lockdown’s been making her stir-crazy. You know how women are. They get these crazy ideas and before you realize what the hell they’re doing, they run with them. Cut her a little slack, Baas. Mo’s trying. She likes Taylor and just wants a chance to hang out with her a little. It’s been rough on her with Mia gone. She’s trying to cling to whatever semblance of family she has left.”
Sebastian scowled at the unpleasant reminder. “What’s going on there?”
His partner rolled his shoulders, some of the light in his blue gaze dimming. “Dane’s parents caught wind of what happened to your family. You know how kids are. They latch on to bad news like a pit bull with a bone. Mia told them her cousin was dead, and after what happened to their son they’re convinced it wasn’t just some random car accident. Honestly, Baas, they’re all shades of flipped out and threatening to sue for sole custody. I told Monique it was better to let her stay with them. At least until this thing with Laychee blows over. As far as we know, Mia isn’t on his radar. It’s better that way.”
Sebastian’s jaw tensed. His stomach churned at the thought of Laychee and the drama a custody battle could bring. Marx would hit the roof. He rubbed his temples and grimaced at the dull throb building behind them. The last thing he needed at this point was their director breathing down his neck and screaming at him to get his family in line. “You know the things that could come out if this situation goes to court.”
“Yeah,” Josh said quietly. “I know, Baas. It won’t go to that. I promise.”
Nodding, he glanced around. “Where’s Aiden?”
Josh rolled his eyes. “He’s ten, Sebastian. He’s in school—remember? Jesus, have another cup of coffee, would ya?”
He felt his cheeks tighten at the barb. Embarrassment threatened and his stare narrowed. Josh tried to lighten the mood by offering a lopsided grin. Shaking his head, Sebastian turned for the kitchen. He found his sister and Taylor already cozied up at the table in the morning room. Steam rose from the dual cups of frothy cappuccino Monique had brought with her, and he watched the bliss play across Taylor’s expression as she took a lengthy sip. His gaze flickered to the standard coffee pot sitting on the counter and he sighed. Maybe it was time to upgrade.
Crossing the room, he stroked the back of his sister’s head. She startled at his touch, but quickly regained her composure and graced him with an affectionate smile. Her features were softer and more rounded than his and her hair much lighter, but hints of resemblance were still there. He lifted one of her loose ringlets and let it fall from his fingers. It was the same honeyed blonde their mother’s had been. His chest ached as memories of their childhood came crashing back and he stiffened.
“Thank you for bringing those,” he said indicating toward the cups.
Monique stared at him for a long moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she tried to decipher if his words were genuine or a trick. “It was my pleasure, Sebastian. I’m sorry if I upset you.”
“I know. You meant well, even if you failed to think things through.” Moving to Taylor, he cupped her chin and claimed a lingering kiss. He brushed her cheek with the back of his fingers, reluctant to leave. “Be good, sweetheart. I’ll see you later.”
He tamped down a smirk as he watched Josh struggle with how to say goodbye in front of him. His partner’s gaze darted between himself and Monique as if weighing which one he wanted to risk upsetting more. Rolling his eyes, Sebastian gave a disgusted huff.
“Just kiss her and get it o
ver with. I’m aware the two of you are already doing much worse.”
Taylor choked. Clamping a hand over her mouth, she fought to hold in the sip she’d just taken. Glancing down, he offered a conspiring wink and mouthed ‘I love you.’ Her face lit up and he smiled, knowing he’d hold onto that image for the rest of the day.
They lay sprawled on the couches, soaking in the rays of early afternoon sun filtering through the windows. Warm coffee swirled through her stomach as Taylor replayed the morning’s events in her head. She glanced over at the striking blonde with more than a little curiosity. Josh’s parting words had been eerily reminiscent of something Sebastian would say, leaving her to wonder where their relationship stood: “Behave today, Monique. Don’t make me regret this.”
She chewed the corner of her thumbnail, her thoughts a whirlwind. Dealing with one of the men when they were unhappy was bad enough. She didn’t dare imagine trying to endure two. The notion alone made her fidget and squirm, and she colored as the creak of leather drew Monique’s attention.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
Monique spread her palms in an admission of guilt. “Don’t apologize to me. I’m the one laying here all wrapped up in my own thoughts. Some company I make, huh?”
Taylor shrugged. “I was doing the same.” She bit her lip and sat up, tucking one of the plush red throw pillows in her lap. “Can I ask you something?”
Rolling onto her side, Monique propped one of her sculpted cheekbones against her hand and grinned. “Of course you can. What’s on your mind?”
“What exactly are you and Josh?”