"These three were called Pink Pussy," Mariss shouted over the music, "which you smell like. The four over here were Blow Jobs, which you probably just had one. This one was sex on the beach, and my favorite was this one, the flaming gator. My new friend was kind enough to keep me company while you were in the back room fucking Hellena."
"Mariss-"
"I have no delusions that you'll suddenly straighten up because you want to get into my pants, Sebastian, but for god's sake! At least call me a cab or let your driver take me home."
"You're right," he said, feeling every bit of the ass he knew he was. "Let me make it up to you."
"No. I'm done making things with you that shouldn't be made. Fuck, I'm drunk." She scooted out of the booth and tried to stand, but she was wobbly on her red stilettos, so Sebastian reached out to steady her. "Don't fucking touch me with your sex hands." She slapped him away, but couldn't keep her balance. Mariss teetered and fell on her backside with an oof and a little cry.
Sebastian reached for her and he had to wrangle her hands away to get a hold on her.
"Stop fighting me," he said as he pulled her against him. It felt like a violation. He hadn't had a chance to clean up after his little tryst. He'd drank some liquor, hoping it would help cover Hellena's scent, but for the life of him, he didn't know why he'd done it. He hadn't really wanted to. After Hellena's display today he really didn't want to deal with her, but she'd come on to him and he'd gone along with it.
"You smell like her."
There was so much hurt in her eyes, he thought she might start crying. Despite her words, it hurt her to know he'd been with another woman. He didn't think it mattered what woman it was at this point.
"Please, stop touching me." Her eyes looked teary, or maybe she was just bleary.
"Can you get to the car on your own?"
Mariss deflated and he knew she couldn't.
"I'll take her," the man in latex paint said. "I'll help her out to the car."
Maris reached for the other man and Sebastian relinquished her. The ache in his chest when she was in another man's arms ripped his soul apart. That was why he'd fucked Hellena in the office. Because Mariss did things to him that he didn't want to admit. She made him want to be someone he wasn't. Her words couldn't have been truer. He would change everything about himself for her, even though he would never get what he wanted. He struggled with the terror of what that meant as he let the man in the latex body paint help Mariss into the back of his car and he drove her back to his flat. She would probably protest, but he just didn't care. He didn't want to be alone, even if it meant he spent the night with a woman he couldn't have sex with.
"This isn't my apartment."
"No, it's my flat."
"Sebastian, I am not going to have sex with you," she slurred as the liquor really started to hit her.
"We're not here to have sex." The elevator doors closed.
"Then what are we here for?"
"I don't want you going home to drink more."
"So I have to stay the night here? Fucker."
"Excuse me?" He shook his head. "I don't care how drunk you get, Mariss. You won't talk to me like that."
"I tried to warn you. You haven't seen a temper until you've pissed off drunk Mariss."
"Hm." They rode the elevator up in silence. The electricity from earlier was gone, replaced with her fury. Sebastian felt some kind of twisted duty to her. When they got to his floor, he led her to his flat with an arm around her waist. He unlocked the door and led her across the marble entryway to sit in the front room.
"You want to see my snake?" he asked, though he wasn't sure why. He winked and shoved his hands in his pockets.
"Sebastian," she said with a giggle. "No."
"Sit here. I'll be right back."
Sebastian went to the bathroom and washed his face and hands. In the next room, he released Artemis from her terrarium, and settled her across his shoulders. He wasn't sure why he carted her out to show Mariss, but he did. She was pouring herself a drink from his bar when he rejoined her.
"Mariss, the whole point of you being here was so you wouldn't drink anymore," he sighed.
She turned and blinked at him. For a moment, he thought she might freak out, but she grinned, though it wasn't quite straight, and exclaimed, "Fuck yeah! A snake!"
Mariss teetered up the two little steps from the front room to the foyer and intercepted him with outstretched arms. Sebastian lifted the snake over his head and settled it across her shoulders.
"Her name is Artemis."
"The goddess of the hunt," Mariss slurred. "How fitting for you."
"I thought so." Sebastian watched her with deep interest.
Mariss glared up at him. "I'm still not having sex with you."
He shook his head. "I've already told you three times that isn't what I want. This is the last time I'll tell you, Mariss. I did not bring you here to have sex with you."
"Yeah, I hear you."
Artemis slithered over her hand, tasting the air with her tongue. Her head settled there in her palm and she looked up at Sebastian as if taunting him.
"I think she likes you."
Mariss smiled. "Holden doesn't like snakes, so he won't let me have one. She's beautiful, though."
"She's a Brazilian Rainbow Boa.”Artemis' iridescent scales shimmered in the light.
Mariss yawned.
"Are you tired?" he asked.
She gave him a warning look. "I'm not staying here tonight."
"Actually, I'm not giving you a choice. You're staying here. That's the end of the conversation."
"Well, aren't you all high and mighty."
"Usually. Have a seat. Would you like some coffee?"
"Sure."
Mariss kicked off her shoes. He watched her hips sway as she walked away, leaving them in the middle of the floor. She sat down on the sofa and twisted her legs underneath her. With a heavy sigh, Sebastian picked up her shoes and set them, neatly, against the side of the couch. He crossed into the kitchen and took a mug out of the cabinet.
Sebastian had her in his home and he had no intentions - no desire - to take what he so badly wanted. He filled the mug with water and poured it into the back of the single serve coffee maker.
Sebastian peeked out to the living room. Mariss was unconscious with her head dropped back against the leather sofa. Artemis had curled protectively across her lap. There were too many reasons to have feelings for her and one big reason that he needed to keep his distance.
But Sebastian Boa was the Man Without Rules. He loved to break them. It was part of his lure. It was who he was. He didn't want to be that man with Mariss. But he did want to be that man. He couldn't help it. You can't teach an old dog new tricks if you're going to use the same old treats.
Once the coffee finished brewing, Sebastian doctored it with a little cream and sugar and carried it to the living room. He picked Artemis up in one hand and took her into the office so to put her to bed. Coffee still in hand, Sebastian went to his bedroom. He set the mug on his dresser so he could loosened his tie and hang it up with his jacket and belt. His shoes he kicked off in the closet, nudging them with his toe until they were perfectly lined up with the others.
When he went out to get her, Mariss was in the same position she'd been in a few moments ago. Sebastian scooped her up and, in her sleep, she wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her face against his neck. Her soft breathing tickled his skin. The smell of berries was sweet and perfumed the air he breathed. As he carried her into his room and laid her in his bed, Sebastian debated whether he should undress her so she'd be comfortable. He decided against it. She'd probably kill him in the morning with that knife of hers if he did. The thought of finding out where she kept it was tempting, however, whatever he did would have to wait until he got a shower.
Sebastian undressed and bathed quickly, but thoroughly. He washed his hair and dried off, wrapping the towel around his waist.
Mariss hadn'
t moved, but of course, he hadn't expected her to. She was still laying on her back where he'd put her. Sebastian didn't bother with putting on clothes, but he left the towel tied around his waist and lay down next to her.
***
Sebastian woke and stretched before he realized Mariss had curled up against his side during the night. She moaned and threw an arm across his stomach. It was a strange feeling, waking up with a woman in his bed. Stranger yet was knowing he hadn't had sex with her the night before. He never allowed women to stay the night. Not even Hellena was often afforded that luxury. It implied feelings that he just didn't care to have or deal with. Keeping things simple meant they could both go about their lives and pretend nothing had happened.
It was late morning. He had appointments, fittings, general work things to do, but this morning, all he wanted to do was lay in bed and watch Mariss sleep. So he did. If she was asleep she couldn't complain about that damned husband of hers or how she couldn't trust herself around Sebastian. He didn't have to control anything because there was nothing to control. He could pretend that he had everything he wanted.
Pretending meant there was something he couldn't have. Suddenly, he couldn't get the thought that this was a married woman out of his head. He was cuddled half naked in his bed with a married woman who had no intentions of…
Gently, so as not to wake her, Sebastian scooted out of the bed. He covered her with the blanket and threw on some clothes before he left her alone in the room.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
The Man Who Had Rules
"Mr. Boa, you have a fitting tomorrow morning for the new Burberry ad campaign and I moved your morning meeting to this afternoon when I couldn't get you on your cell," Juliet informed him as she walked into his home office.
Sebastian nodded. "Thank you, Jules."
"Are you alright?" she asked. "You seem tense."
"Tense?" He shook his head and cast a look toward the hallway. "I'm fine, Jules."
She looked behind her. When she turned back she was grinning. "Who's here?" Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Is it Mariss?"
As if summoned by her name being spoken, Mariss came around the corner on bare feet, rubbing her eyes. Her skirt was rumpled and she'd untucked her blouse, yet, somehow she looked especially becoming.
"Good morning," he said, cheerfully.
"You sound happy to see me." Mariss plopped down next to Juliet. "Good morning," she said to the other woman.
"Hello, Mariss. Have a good evening?"
"I got drunk and passed out."
"Did you get to see his snake?"
Juliet wiggled her eyebrows. Mariss just frowned at her. Then she turned the frown to him.
"Did I?"
"Your exact words were, 'Fuck yeah! A snake!' Then you took her from me and passed out. I can show you again, if you like." He didn't wait for her reply, but walked to the terrarium and set Artemis free. "You commented on how fitting it is that I call her Artemis."
Mariss smiled and reached for the boa. The snake slithered up her arms like they were long lost friends.
"You also told me how your husband doesn't like snakes so he won't let you have one."
"I'm very forthcoming when I'm drunk."
"Most people are." Sebastian watched her with the snake. "She took to you quickly last night. Are you hungry?"
"Starving."
"If you like, you can get a shower and I'll fix you something to eat."
"I'll iron your clothes for you if you want," Juliet offered.
"Wow. Maybe I should get drunk and sleep over more often." Mariss chuckled.
Sebastian took Artemis from her and settled her across his shoulders. Mariss’ eyebrows went up and a look of wonder crossed her face.
"I didn't think it was possible for you to get any more…regal." She blinked. "I was wrong."
He smiled, pleased. "Jules, will you show her to the guest shower and get her some bath products, please?"
"Yes, sir."
Sebastian followed them out, but went the opposite way to the kitchen. He pulled out everything he needed to make sandwiches and had one made when Juliet came in.
"Do I get one of those?" she asked. Sebastian slid the plate across the table to her. "So what happened last night? You didn't fuck her did you?"
"No, I didn't." He spread mayonnaise and mustard on some bread. "What concern is it of yours?"
"No concern. Just curious."
"Nosey, more like."
Juliet shrugged and took a bite. "Hellena called me this morning gloating. You need to talk to her."
"I will. I plan to. I meant to last night, but…" He sighed. That was a complete disaster.
"She made sure to tell me about that. Kind of fucked up on your end. Hers too, but you should have seen it coming."
Sebastian frowned. "What do you mean?"
"She's a little off. Always has been. I mean, I get it. She's been through a lot, but she's not quite right, if you know what I mean."
He'd seen that last night, witnessed it for the first time. Or perhaps he'd seen it because Mariss had opened his eyes to something he didn't want to see.
"She hides it well, if that helps," Juliet continued. "She's more fragile than she lets on, though."
Sebastian finished making his second sandwich and started on the third. He had to do something. Mariss wasn't good for him or Hellena and he certainly wasn't good for her. When he'd started caring about that, he wasn't sure, but it just seemed prudent to put a halt to things now before someone got hurt.
"You really like her, don't you?"
He debated telling her to mind her own business, but she'd divine her own answer from that.
"Mariss is an extraordinary woman."
"That she is. She's very pretty."
Sebastian frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying I'd do her. Just the two of us or with you or with her husband. Or all four." She grinned. "I'm not greedy."
"I wouldn't share her with you." He took a bite and chewed, ignoring Juliet's hurt expression. "I don't like sharing her with her own husband."
She grinned. "Sebastian, you're smitten. Deny it all you want," she said when he opened his mouth to protest. "What are you going to do?"
"The only thing I can do."
Juliet nodded like she understood. Sebastian ate and cleaned up his mess. By the time Mariss joined them, he had the kitchen clean except for her sandwich plate.
"You're a little OCD, aren't you?" Mariss scooted up onto a stool at the bar.
"A little bit. I like things to be in order."
"Mr. Boa, I'll be in the office." Juliet left them alone.
"Sebastian, what is your type?"
"What do you mean?" He turned to the refrigerator and took out two bottles of water.
"Your type. You're seen with all kinds of women, but what is your favorite? Blondes? Brunettes? Red heads? Tall or short? Skinny or thick?"
"Women." He smiled. "I just love women." He debated telling her how much he liked her body. In the end, he went with, "Mariss, you may be right about Hellena."
Her face became unreadable. "Oh?"
"She orchestrated the bomb threat last night to get me to the club and gloated to Juliet about what we did. So, in the interest of all parties involved," he paused, gauging her responses. She was still expressionless, her eyes empty. "I'm friend-zoning you. I know how hard it must be to accept that, given who and what I am."
"And what are you, Mr. Boa?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Well, you would know if you'd have sex with me."
She smiled, finally. "Are you that good?"
"Oh, I'm sensational. Why do you think everyone wants a piece of this?"
Mariss laughed. "Mind-blowing, huh?"
"You've had a little taste of what it can be like." He winked.
Mariss rolled her eyes and started in on her sandwich. "You know, for this to work you have to stop coming on to me."
"You came on to me, if I recall."
"Did I?"
"You forced yourself on me in the edit bay," she said indignantly.
"Forced myself on you? Is that how you see it?"
She nodded. "After repeated warnings that I'm not interested in you and you still shoved your tongue down my throat, yeah. That's how I see it."
"You are interested in me." Sebastian leaned on the counter. The scent of imported lotion wafted across to him.
"If you want us to successfully be nothing but friends, you have to make yourself believe that I don't have feelings for you and I have to continue to believe you're nothing but a womanizing asshole who only wants me for my body."
"Continue, eh?" He didn't like what she thought of him, but she was right. If that was what she had to do to keep this from getting out of hand, then he had to let her believe what she needed to believe.
Juliet came back into the kitchen, a worried look on her face. "I have a forwarded call from your office, Mrs. Red." She handed the phone to her and Mariss put it to her ear.
"Mariss Red of The Red Wife Media Group. How can I help you?"
Sebastian could hear an angry male voice on the other end of the line. Mariss listened for a long moment before she made an attempt to answer.
"Yes, I had a dinner appointment with Mr. Boa last night, but no, we never made it to the restaurant." She stopped talking abruptly. Her eyes narrowed and shifted. "If you'll shut up for a moment, Holden, and let me finish what I'm saying. There was a bomb threat at this club. While I waited for him to handle his business I got drunk and he brought me back to his place to sleep it off." She paused. "No! Nothing happened!"
Sebastian watched her fight to keep her rising anger at bay.
"Because!" she shouted. "I wouldn't have put my clothes back on if I'd fucked him last night!"
Sebastian's eyebrows went up as he fought to contain his laughter. Mariss noticed and pointed at him, mouthing the words, "Stop, you."
"Alright, Holden. I'm going to hang up now and you can call me back when you're calm. This is ridiculous. Good bye." She listened for a moment before she hit the end button. Mariss growled and almost slammed his phone on the table. Sebastian dove to relinquish it from her hand.
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