He smiled. He wasn't sure why, but he did. "I was nominated for Top Model of the Year," he blurted. "I'd like for you to come with me to the ceremony."
He saw Juliet over Mariss' head. She'd stopped chewing and was looking at him like he'd just taken his clothes off and started shaking his dick around.
"There's no guarantee that I'll win, of course. I'd like you to come all the same."
Mariss frowned. "I don't know if that's such a good idea, Sebastian. Really. I'd have to clear that with Holden and he wouldn't like it at all. Where is the ceremony being held?"
"London."
"Naturally. He wouldn't like that, me going to London to be with you."
"Talk to him. See what he says."
"Sebastian Fenwick Boa," Juliet exclaimed. "She said no. Leave it there."
"She wants to go." Sebastian caught her looking him over and grinned. "Indulging yourself, were you?"
Mariss blushed. "Not at all."
He winked at her. "You want to go, don't you?"
Mariss made a strange face with her lips pushed out so she looked like a duck. "No." She looked away from him, stabbed the last bite of her steak, and put it in her mouth. "First of all, I thought we were friend-zoned. Why would I accompany you to this event if we aren't sexually involved? Second, I forgot what second was. Third, I'm married."
"You would go as my friend."
"Friend? Oh man!" Juliet laughed. "Sebastian, you are out of your ever-loving mind and I blame you, Mariss Red. You've done this to him, though I can't say it's a bad thing. Carry on. Please, continue. You two are making my night."
"There's no one else I'd rather be seen with at the ceremony. No one else I'd rather share it with. Besides, we work together now. It would be good promotion for your business."
He knew that was the excuse she needed, because she did want to go with him. He could see it in her eyes - excitement and disappointment, longing and confliction. All she needed was the right excuse to give her husband. Now she had it.
"I'll talk to him," she said.
"Oh. My. God! This is a train wreck waiting to happen. I can't watch this." Juliet gathered her food. "When you get ready to shop for the perfect dress, call me," she offered on her way through to the kitchen. "I know what he likes to see."
"I do too," Mariss called. Then quieter she added, "And hear."
Sebastian leaned forward and said low in her ear, "You."
Mariss shuddered. "Where is my dessert you promised me?"
Overcome with the need to touch her, Sebastian traced a lazy finger up and down her arm. Goosebumps popped up wherever he touched.
"It's in the freezer."
"Oh." She didn't move.
"Were you going to get it, or did you want Juliet to bring it with her when she comes back?" He traced along the collar of her shirt.
"I'll get it."
Mariss pushed herself up, but collapsed onto the sofa with a shout a second later.
"What's wrong?" Sebastian begged.
"My foot is cramping!" she moaned.
"Oh, is that all?" His heart settled back into his chest. "Come here." He took hold of the foot she was grasping and worked her sole with his thumbs.
"Ooh, my god!" Mariss relaxed so suddenly, melting off the couch so half her body was hanging off the edge. "Bassy, oh my god."
"Mm. Say it again."
She looked up at him. "Seriously, be careful. My feet get neglected."
"Careful?" He gave her a very self-aware smirk. "Your husband doesn't rub your feet?"
She shook her head. "He won't touch my feet. He finds feet disgusting."
Sebastian plied the sole of her foot again and she let out a long, low moan that reminded him of what she sounded like when she was about to come.
"My god, Red. Does he know it does this to you?"
"He's never rubbed my feet. Oh, that feels good!"
He smiled.
"What are you two doing in here?" Juliet stood in the kitchen door way, licking the spoon she was using to eat Mariss' dessert.
"Ooh. She's eating my dessert."
Juliet grinned and winked. "That's right, honey."
Sebastian chuckled. "Say my name, sweetheart."
"Oh, Sebastian. Rub my feet. That's it. Right there. Don't stop."
Juliet cackled from the kitchen. Sebastian worked his way up Mariss' firm, toned calf. He hadn't realized she worked out.
Mariss tugged her leg out of his grasp and gave him the other. "This one," she panted. "Uuuh!"
Sebastian chuckled. "Are you going to come, Red?"
"I…I might. Don't stop."
He rubbed her foot and her calf as he'd done with her other leg. "Do you want a back rub too?"
"No," she snapped and pulled her leg away. "Nope. That's off limits."
"Why off limits?"
"It makes her horny." Juliet came back into the room with two desserts. "I hope you don't mind, Sebastian. I bought myself one too, because I'm worth it."
"Tell him." Mariss dug into her dessert and sat close enough for him to put his arm around her. "What's the plan for the evening?"
"What do you mean? I had no plans. Dinner and dessert. That's what you asked for."
"Let's watch a movie," Juliet suggested.
"Ooh! Are you a movie person, Bassy? What should we watch?"
"He likes romantic comedies, ironically. Down With Love!"
"Oh, my god!" Mariss licked her spoon. "That's such a Sebastian movie!"
"He reminds me of Catcher," Juliet agreed.
"Right? Only meaner."
Both women cackled.
"That's enough, now. We can watch whatever you want."
Juliet reached for a remote. A panel on the wall rotated, bringing the TV into view.
"Wow. That's high tech," Mariss said. She snuggled into his side. "Is this okay for the friend-zone," she asked saucily.
"Decidedly not." Just her proximity made him randy and hard.
"Do you want me to move?" Sebastian wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in. "I'll take that as a no."
"Very good deduction." He knew it was dangerous and risky, but at the moment he couldn't bring himself to care. He wanted her close. Her warmth seeped into him and he relaxed, something he never did around women.
"Why don't you believe in love?" Mariss asked him halfway through the movie.
"Love is an emotion," he answered as he stroked her arm. "It's an ideal rather than a real, tangible thing."
"Love is pain," Mariss replied. "It's happiness, regret, strength, betrayal. All of those things are ideals too. Well, except for pain and a lot of people would argue that."
"Love is pointless. It blinds you. It makes you become someone that you aren't," Sebastian explained.
"Or it can change you for the better if you let it. That's not a bad thing."
"Do I need changing?" he asked in her ear.
Mariss tipped her head back to look at him. Her full lips beckoned and he obliged, but the moment their lips touched he knew he was in trouble. He kissed her the way he'd been fighting all day. Her lips were sticky and sweet from the ice cream.
"God, Red," he moaned. "You taste amazing."
She giggled. "There's the Sebastian we all know and don't love because we don't believe in it."
He chuckled and shut her up with his mouth once more. She kissed him back, craning her neck so she could reach him. Sebastian gripped her hips and pulled her onto his lap so she was straddling him. Her hands snaked around his neck and into his hair, tugging, pulling him closer until she could attack his mouth greedily with hers. Her tongue speared into his mouth, tangled with his. Mariss moaned and he moaned. Her hips writhed against him. Sebastian ground himself against her so she would know just how badly he wanted her.
But there was a restraint on both their parts. Sebastian felt her holding back, even when she bit his bottom lip and deepened the kiss. He held her hips still as he thrust against her, but even in his supremely aroused state,
he knew nothing would happen. This was the tension that had been building between them since she left this morning, the tension caused by their new, self-imposed "friends" status. They were letting off steam in the only way their bodies understood.
And it felt so good.
"Did you forget you had an audience?"
Mariss' hands stilled in his hair, but she didn't let go. They stayed the way they were for several moments, trying to catch their breath.
"Sorry," Mariss finally whispered. "I think that was my fault."
"No apology needed, sweetheart. We needed that." He loosened his grip on her hips. Mariss swung her leg over and settled back on the sofa, this time with her head in his lap.
Sebastian ran his thumb down her arm. He stroked the inside of her wrist, her fingers playing between his until they fell still a little while later. He looked down at her closed eyes. The rhythmic rise and fall of her chest denoted that she'd fallen asleep.
"Juliet," he whispered. "What do I do?"
Juliet turned. Her lips twitched as she assessed the situation. "Just leave her be. Wake her up when it's time to go."
Yes, she would have to go tonight. She couldn't stay here, not with the sexual tension between them and what had happened at the club.
Mariss woke as the movie ended. "I missed it." She stretched and snuggled into the crook of his arm.
"Time to go, Red."
"Ugh. I'm sleepy."
"I know. Juliet, can you call for the car, please?"
"No, sir," she said defiantly. "I am off duty. Call your own car."
"That's coming out of your check," he joked.
"No, it's not." Mariss sat up and stretched again. "If he gives you too much trouble, you can always quit and come work for me. I need an assistant who doesn't double as my resident artist and chief."
"I'll keep that in mind." Juliet grinned and turned away to take care of the TV.
Sebastian walked with Mariss to the door. "Don't start stealing my employees, Red."
She smiled at him. "I'll try not to, but we are working together. You could share."
"I could." He didn't know what to say. This felt like a date, even though it wasn't premeditated and he wasn't sure how to end a date. He smoothed her cheek with his thumb. "I'll have Juliet bring your clothes to you in the morning. We have a few loose ends to tie up at the club tonight."
Mariss nodded.
"I'd come myself, but I have a busy day and being seen with me after tonight… At least for a little while."
An amused smile turned up one corner of her delicious mouth. Sebastian grunted. He needed to taste those lips again. He pulled her bottom lip between his and released it. Such a simple, small thing, but it meant so much to both of them.
"Good night, Mariss."
"Good night, Sebastian."
Sebastian opened the door for her and waited until she was in the elevator to close it. He sent a text to have his car brought around.
"Whether you believe in love or not," Juliet stood next to him, her hand on the door, "you've got it bad for that one. How do you want me to handle this situation? Most everyone knows you've been spending time with her and they know you were at the club together."
"Say it was someone who favored her."
"They'll know it's a crock."
"Well, say it anyway. Deny that it was her," he snapped.
"Calm down. I'll handle it. You need to be more careful, though."
"Good night, Juliet."
"Night, Mr. Boa. I'll see you in the morning."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Biting Lips
With much trepidation, Sebastian opened the door for Hellena and let her into his flat.
"What the hell is going on?" she bellowed as soon as the door was closed.
It was three o'clock in the morning. Since Mariss and Juliet had gone, he'd been going over the books for his clubs. Hellena's was the only one with money unaccounted for. Still, he didn't say a word about it.
"Not now, Hellena. I'm not in the mood."
"They're saying you carried a Mariss look-a-like out of the club and put her in your car," she continued. "I covered for you and I know Juliet did. You owe me an explanation."
Sebastian looked down at her and frowned. "That's where you're wrong, Hellena. I owe you nothing. If one of us owes the other, it'll be you owing me."
She gasped. "You said you'd never bring that up."
"I didn't bring anything up. Can we handle this tomorrow? I was about to go to bed."
"Is she here? Is that why you're trying to kick me out?"
Sebastian sighed. "There's no one here but us. You can check if you like." He crossed his arms and stared her down, daring her to venture into another room. She stayed put, but crossed her arms as well.
"She tortured that poor girl today," Hellena reminded him. "Do you realize that? There's something wrong with Mariss Red. The way she reacted today… You need to stay away from her."
The way her words mirrored Mariss' was not lost on him.
"We discussed it. She'll be fine."
"You discussed it?" Hellena huffed and threw her hands in the air. "Have you fucked her yet? Just fuck her and get it over with. You'll feel better, she'll be gone."
"And you'll have less competition." Sebastian nodded. "Mariss and I are friends. She isn't going anywhere and nothing is going to happen."
"Friends?" Her tone held disgust.
"Hellena, I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
"I'll come with you."
"No," he said a bit too hasty. "Not tonight. I just want to go to bed."
Hellena stared wide-eyed. A moment later she nodded. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow then."
He nodded and showed her out. With a sigh of relief, he went to his room. He'd never been so happy to be rid of her.
***
Sebastian tossed and turned all night. He couldn't get comfortable, couldn't seem to stay warm. Every time he rolled over he expected to see Mariss laying there next to him. He remembered moments from the night before that he hadn't realized he'd noticed. Like how she moved with him every time he did so they were always touching. Or the way she sighed and murmured in her sleep. If it was this bad after spending one night with her, he didn't think he could handle any more.
By the time morning came, Sebastian hadn't slept a bit. He showered and dressed in an argyle jumper and some slacks and went to the kitchen to make coffee.
"Good morning." Juliet was already there, sitting at the bar. "I heard you up so I made coffee."
"Why are you so early?" he groused. His voice grated like gravel underfoot.
"You sound and look terrible, Mr. Boa. Did you sleep at all?"
"No." He sipped his too hot coffee. "I thought I gave you today off."
"I didn't think you were serious." She blinked big blue eyes at him.
"Do you have Mariss' clothes from last night?" She nodded. "I'll take them to her after my fitting. You can go."
He didn't mean to dismiss her, but she smiled.
"Thanks, Mr. Boa. Have I ever told you what a great boss you are?"
"Stop lying or I'll take it back. Did Hellena call you last night?"
"Yeah. She was upset. Said you kicked her out and didn't want anything to do with her anymore because you were in love with Mariss. I told her there was no possibility of that happening, but she seems to see the same things I see when you look at Mariss." Juliet shrugged. "I'll go before I get myself in trouble. Call me if you need anything. And by that, I mean, please don't. I'll leave the clothes with your driver."
"Thank you, Jules."
"Sebastian?" She said before she left.
"Yes?"
"Be careful with Mariss, okay? As her friend and yours, I'm going to be honest. She has feelings for you, but if you forced her to choose, she would choose her husband, hands down. Just…be careful, okay?"
Sebastian frowned, but nodded.
Starting the day off in such a sour mood didn't bode well. They were half
way to his fitting when something popped and the back end of the car fishtailed.
"Did we blow a tire?" he asked the driver.
"Yes, sir. There's a shop just up the road. I'll stop there."
The shop owner was a bitter, irritable man who grated on Sebastian's nerves.
"I need to have my tire fixed," Sebastian told him. "I have an appointment in fifteen minutes."
"You gotta wait your turn, sir," the man drawled in a thick Brooklyn accent. His face was smeared like he'd tried to wipe away the engine grime, but hadn't been able to get it all off. When he shook his greasy hair, Sebastian had to take a step back. The smell that came off of the man was offensive at best.
Sebastian looked around. "There's no one else here."
"I got people ahead of you, mister. You gotta wait your turn."
Sebastian let out a long, slow breath so his voice was even, yet firm when he said, "I don't have time to wait. You're going to fix my car so I can be on my way or I will shove you in a stack of tires and light your bloody arse on fire." He kept his face emotionless and stared, waiting for the answer.
The man swallowed and nodded. They were out of the shop ten minutes later with a new tire and a voucher for a free oil change.
He was half an hour late for the fitting. People ran around scowling at him, but there was nothing he could do. He didn't bother explaining, but let them lead him into a room full of Burberry patterned clothes. Sebastian pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm going to need a moment," he said. "Where's the loo?"
The little man was livid, but he pointed him to the restroom. Sebastian locked the door and dialed Juliet.
"I knew it was too good to be true," she sighed when she answered.
"Jules…" He didn't know what to say. He felt panicked and lost and hated being so vulnerable.
"What's wrong?" she asked immediately. "Is everything okay?"
"I need you at the fitting," he said, trying to put some authority in his voice.
"Is there a problem with the clothes?"
"Yes. It's all Burberry."
"Uhm, yes. You already knew that."
He took a deep breath. "I, uhm…fuck. Juliet, will you please come down here."
She chuckled softly. "Sebastian, if you need a friend you can just say it."
"Yes, that's what I need." He wasn't used to needing anyone. Now he needed Jules and his body ached to be close to Mariss again. Sebastian felt like he was dying.
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