Sebastian shows me to the guest room to change. He wasn’t kidding about buying me everything I’d need. The walk-in closet is filled with a variety of options—casual, dressy, intimates, and an assortment of shoes. He even went so far as to supply me with makeup, perfume, and lotions. Whoever picked these things has exceptional taste, and if I weren’t kidnapped, I’d probably thank them.
I put on a pretty red and white flower print sundress with wedge sandals. Both are a perfect fit. Might as well go see Nate in style, so I decide to wear my hair up in a twist and apply some gloss. It would be a shame to let the expensive perfume go to waste so I dab a drop on my wrists.
When I’m ready, I head back to the living room and find Sebastian already there, waiting. He has a ball cap over his dark hair, and I do my best not to gawk at him. I’ve never seen him wear one. It’s a good look.
Sexy.
Very sexy.
I’m used to seeing him in his expensive suits, which are phenomenal, and always give me a slight tingle in my belly. But black tee and a ball cap has me drooling.
“What?” he finally asks.
I shake my head, pretending I’m not drooling over this man. “Nothing, ready?”
“Jeremy, pull the car around for me.”
Jeremy is Sebastian’s personal security. I’ve met him a few times before when Sebastian had meetings with my father at our house before I moved into my condo. Jeremy’s a bit scary, honestly, and never speaks. Or, looks me in the eyes. Or anything, really.
Once, he went into a room before Sebastian to sweep it for any danger lurking about, and he acted like a ninja warrior, sliding along the wall and peeking around corners. I thought it was ridiculous. Although, I guess I get it. When you work in the industry my father does, I guess you must take every precaution.
Sebastian leads me outside and opens the rear door for me. We sit in the backseat, far apart, as Jeremy pulls away from the house. He takes a winding road down a steep mountain, into the city packed with gobs of people, trading at marts, and bustling about the congested area.
We’re moving at a snail's pace, maybe ten or twelve miles per hour.
“The streets are so packed,” I tell Sebastian. “Where are they all going?”
“Welcome to Hong Kong. It’s always like this.” Too many cars for these streets.
I people-watch out the window. A woman and her son shop at the mart, picking out apples and comic books. Odd combination to have together.
It entertains me until finally Jeremy pulls to a stop in front of a building that rivals New York City skyscrapers. I swear the top floor floats into heaven.
“We’re here,” Sebastian says, stepping out of the car.
I scan the area when I step onto the curb. “Nate lives here?”
Sebastian takes my arm, moving me aside, so I don’t get trampled by people walking along the streets. “I don’t know if he lives here, but this is where he wanted to meet.”
We walk inside the building, it’s like a hotel, and we take the elevator and exit on the third floor and wander the halls until we find the room with three-thirteen on it.
Sebastian knocks on the door and we wait.
Nate opens the door. And it’s been a while since I’ve seen him. A long while. He’s grown a bit of scruff on his jaw, and his jagged dark hair stands in all directions. He looks like he hasn’t showered or ran a comb through his hair in forever, but on closer inspection, I can see it’s the look he’s going for.
He wears a light-blue dress shirt with more than a few buttons undone, showing off a chiseled tan chest underneath.
“Mia,” he says, wrapping me into a hug. His potent scent of musk and man rushes up my nose, and I nearly choke.
Nate’s a few years older than me, and we were somewhat close many moons ago. We never dated, because I don’t think Nate could ever commit to anyone long enough to call them a girlfriend. I never bother with men like that.
Not that I’m looking for anything serious, but I’m looking for something longer than a one-night stand.
Sebastian and Nate are the same. Players. Men who love to score as often as possible.
“Hi, Nate. I can’t believe you’re in Hong Kong.” I can’t believe anyone I know is in Hong Kong.
“Been a long time, kiddo.” He lets go of me, stepping away from his door so Sebastian and I can enter his room.
It’s shabby, dirty, and not at all where I picture Nate staying. There’s old magazines and take-out containers that litter the room. It’s obvious he’s been here a while. “You live here?” I ask.