The media that crowded around him stilled for just a moment before they erupted in flashing lights and question after question.
"You are breathtaking," Sebastian whispered as he gave her his arm. Martha took his other arm and Juliet followed close behind. They didn't make it two steps before they were assailed by a reporter.
"Mr. Boa!" the excited, young, red-haired woman exclaimed. "You have quite the entourage tonight. Are you that confident in your win?"
She shoved the microphone in his face. Sebastian kept his cool, giving the camera's his best rehearsed smile.
"I have my mother with me tonight because she promised to throttle me if I didn't bring her. Mrs. Red is here for moral support, whether I win or not."
"We were surprised to see Mrs. Red tonight. After the incident at The Tea Room in New York we were under the impression you wouldn't be spending much time together anymore. Can you tell us a little about that?"
"Mrs. Red had nothing to do with what happened at the club a month ago. Simply a case of mistaken identity." He fought to keep his irritation under wraps. He'd known they would have to deal with this tonight, but he wasn't prepared for what was said next.
"Our source tells us otherwise. We also have an eyewitness that places her leaving your apartment later that night. Mrs. Red, what can you tell us? Does your husband know you're here?"
Sebastian would have cut the interview off there, but Mariss took the floor.
"Yes, of course. My husband is aware of all of my activities when he's away and he can account for my whereabouts the evening I was said to have left the club."
Sebastian could have beamed. Instead, he opted for his best smolder and shot the reporter a hard-edged look that he knew would bring her to her knees. It worked. She forgot what her next question was, giving them a chance to escape.
"You do that far too easily," Mariss said as the three of them posed for a round of pictures.
"Does it bother you?" He spoke around his camera smile.
"Only when you do it to me."
They moved on. When they were a few feet from the door, Sebastian thought they'd make it inside without getting caught again, but a wiley young man stepped into their path, his microphone shoved in Mariss' face.
"Mrs. Red, you look lovely tonight. Was your wardrobe at all influenced by Mr. Boa's? Did you dress to match?"
Mariss giggled. Sebastian smiled, but it wasn't kind.
"I, as any who know Mrs. Red, knew her color preferences and put my outfit together on my own accord."
"That's interesting." He clearly wasn't interested. "Mrs. Red, what do you say to the claims that you are Mr. Boa's new mistress?"
Sebastian all but gawked. Mariss blinked a few times, then started laughing. He knew that the right reaction here was crucial. No one expected the reaction she gave, not even he. Juliet snickered behind him and he felt a smile creep across his face. His mother had other plans.
"Young man, who the hell do you think you are?" Martha snatched the microphone from him and tossed it in some bushes. "We are here to enjoy ourselves and to watch my son win an award. How dare you sully that with your ridiculous accusations!"
"Are you denying that your son is some kind of self-proclaimed manwhore?" The reporter was highly amused.
Mariss was laughing so hard she snorted. Sebastian finally chuckled, because he knew what his mother was about to say.
"If you don't move out of our way right now, I will take you over my knee and deliver the punishment that your mother clearly forgot to give you. Move."
The young man, unwilling to argue with an old woman, moved right out of the way.
"The nerve!" Martha continued. "To come to an event like this digging for unrelated material." She humphed.
Sebastian held the door and his mother marched inside. Mariss followed her, still giggling.
The giggles stopped abruptly as Juliet said, "What's she doing here?"
It took a moment of skimming the crowd for Sebastian to recognize Hellena's black leather corset. She looked different with her long hair tucked up in a fancy twist of braids. Her makeup was lighter than usual, so her brown eyes stood out more. She spotted him and sauntered over with one of the other awards candidates in tow.
"Hello, Bash," she said, her voice soft and tender. She kissed him on the cheek and he returned the gesture with little feeling.
"Hello, Hellena." He made a conscious attempt to lighten his flat voice. "What brings you here?"
"You thought I would miss my friend's award ceremony?" Her eyes drifted from him to Mariss and Juliet. "Hi, Jules." She kissed Juliet on the mouth, then turned back to him. "Is this your mother?" she asked, her eyes wide.
"Yes. Hellena, this is my mother-"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Boa."
Hellena extended a hand, but Martha just sucked her teeth and kept her hands loose by her side.
"Mother," Sebastian scolded. He turned to Juliet. "Take Martha and Mariss inside to find seats."
"Yes, sir."
Sebastian turned back to Hellena as a hand coiled its way through his arm. He looked down at Mariss' mischievous smile.
"I'm here to make you look pretty on my arm," she said, effectively telling him no.
Sebastian smiled at her. "Very well."
Hellena looked like she'd swallowed a bug. Her mouth turned down into a disgusted frown and her eyes flashed with hatred. She had a hard time wiping the look off her face. There was no longer any doubt in Sebastian's mind. Hellena wasn't screwed on quite right.
Sebastian spotted a man he'd been meaning to talk to for some time. With a nod to Hellena, he walked around her and her date. Mariss moved quietly with him.
"I didn't know she would be here," he said.
"Are you apologizing?" She sounded amused.
"No. She hasn't left the US without me in many years."
"You're saying she came all this way to keep her eye on me?"
Sebastian didn't get a chance to answer. "Hello, Henry." He shook hands with the white-haired man who was easily his height. Some days he seemed a bit taller.
"Sebastian. What a lovely surprise to see you, Mrs. Red."
"Lovely to see you again, Henry."
Sebastian watched intently as Henry took Mariss' hand and lifted it to his lips.
"Henry was one of my first supporters, Sebastian." Mariss gave him an amused smile. "Your jealousy is showing."
Sebastian frowned. "Henry is a good man to have on your side," he said. "He's very influential."
"Ah, yes. With my copious amounts of money, who wouldn't want me on their side?"
"Well, you said it. Not me. I'm curious as to how you found yourself funding Mrs. Red, though." Sebastian let the real question flare in his eyes. Henry chuckled.
"A story for another time, perhaps."
"The same way she found herself in Mr. Boa's company, maybe?" Hellena asked from behind.
Sebastian turned cool eyes to her. She returned the look, batting her eyelashes. From the corner of his eye, Sebastian watched a sweet smile spread its way across Mariss' lips, and he licked his own.
"How did you meet Sebastian, Hellena?" Mariss asked. Her eyelashes fluttered like Hellena's had.
A dark emotion passed over Hellena's features. Her lips pressed into a thin line. The look of hate she flashed Mariss was vicious. Mariss turned away from her, giving Henry her kindest, most gentle smile. Sebastian didn't chance glancing at Hellena just yet. It wouldn't have done any good. She stormed away with her model date trailing after her.
"I'm sorry," Mariss said ruefully.
"Not at all," Henry replied with a knowing smile. "Model types are very jealous, are they not, Sebastian?"
Henry gave Sebastian a very pointed look.
"Yes, quite. They're never beautiful enough in their own minds. We'd better get to our seats."
"We need to catch up, Mariss. How long are you in London?" Henry gave his charming smile. Even with his grey hair and age, the women seemed
to fall for it anyway.
"I'm leaving the day after tomorrow."
"Then we must have lunch tomorrow. I'll call you to set up a time and place."
"I'd love that, Henry."
Mariss hadn't removed her hand from Sebastian's arm the whole time they were talking. Sebastian stepped back, forcing her to move with him or let go. She let go, but when he offered his other arm, Mariss took it and matched his long-legged stride.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you, Bassy."
"Who's jealous? Henry and I are cut from the same cloth, I guess you could say."
"Ah. So you're trying to protect my virtue by taking it yourself?"
He flashed a grin he knew she would love and hate. "You'd give it to me willingly if you weren't married."
"Are you so sure?" Her tone dripped with ice where it had been warm and amused a moment ago.
"Have I offended you?" he asked, sparing a glance to see her face. It was empty and, for a moment he thought she'd slipped away from him like she'd done in the dungeon, but her eyes blazed with fury.
Mariss tried to pull her hand from his grasp, but he gripped it with his free hand and held it there.
"Don't," Sebastian told her, and tugged her into an empty room to the side. "What have I done?" he asked. The room was dark, but the light from the hall illuminated her features enough. "Why did that offend you?"
Anger simmered behind her eyes as she regarded him for what seemed like hours before she finally spoke.
"You just assume that if I wasn't married I'd fall under your spell and into your bed like everyone else you flash with that charming smile and infuriating self-assured egotistical aura of yours. I'm not that easy, Sebastian."
"I never said you were. I've put more work into you than I've put into any other woman and, quite frankly, I've enjoyed every moment of it. I find it massively appealing when you fight me. When you can't fight me, I accept it as a reward for my efforts to fight my normal urges rather than me breaking you down. You are a challenge. Not only physically, but emotionally and mentally as well. You drive me crazy, and I don't think I'd have it any other way."
Sebastian brushed his thumb over her cheek. She blinked at him, speechless.
"Right now, I want to kiss you and I'm hoping that you'll let me, but if you don't…" He tipped her chin up and pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back and he actually tasted her surprise.
"You have such a sweet mouth, Red." She gave a shocked grunt. "And now, we need to get inside. They'll be wondering where we are."
Sebastian guided her across the hall and to the seats Juliet had saved for them. He suddenly wanted to slap his mother for putting thoughts of love in his mind, but she was his mother and what he'd told Mariss was true. He'd never fought harder for anyone in his life.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The Truth is Set Free
Sebastian sat uncomfortably with his arm loosely draped across the back of Mariss' seat. What he really wanted to do was haul her onto his lap and kiss her the way she deserved. It was hard to keep his hands off her - friend-zoned or not - when she looked so perfect in that red dress, her hands folded in her lap, and her eyes watching the proceedings with rapt attention.
His mobile vibrated in his back pocket. With a frown, Sebastian discretely pulled it out, expecting a text from Hellena. He thought he'd turned it off, but apparently not.
:This is the most boring thing I've ever done in my life. No wonder you dragged me here with you.:
Sebastian blinked. He reread the text and checked the name. It was from Mariss, not Hellena. He snorted, then covered his mouth when the woman in front of him fought not to look back.
:You're going to get in trouble for having your phone out.: he replied.
:Then you will too, Bassy.:
:I never get in trouble, Red. Don't you know that by now?:
:I guess that's why you shamelessly flirt with anyone who crosses your path. Even married women who tell you no. ;):
:You flirt right back, or I wouldn't waste my time.:
:So, I'm a waste of time now.:
:Yes. A beautifully delicious waste of time. I want to kiss you again, Red.:
Mariss didn't reply right away. She settled her phone beneath her hands in her lap and trained her eyes forward. Out of the corner of his eye, Sebastian saw one of the ushers move down their aisle and stop at the end, eyeing him suspiciously.
The corners of Mariss mouth twitched with humor. Sebastian sent a glare toward the usher who moved quickly away.
:You're mean.:
Sebastian smiled. :You're too nice.:
:Am I now? That can be remedied.:
Sebastian's phone shook in his hands, but this text wasn't from Mariss. :You two need to stop. You're like teenagers with your texting. You're going to miss your name being called.:
:That's assuming it's called.: He sent the text back to Juliet.
:Of course it will be.:
"Excuse me, Mr. Boa. I'm going to have to confiscate your phone."
Sebastian turned empty eyes to the young usher and, amidst giggles from Mariss and Juliet, he said, "Absolutely not."
"Please, understand it's my job, sir." The usher's voice shook with fear, and his eyes were glassy with it.
"Please, understand that I'm under no obligation to give you my personal property, however, should someone ask, I will let them know you tried your best." He offered a smile that he hoped was more reassuring than frightening, but the gasp the boy gave proved it didn't quite work. Mariss and Juliet giggled some more before his mother shushed them.
"Grow up, you three," she said grumpily, but the gleam in her eye when he looked at her said she thought the incident was just as funny.
:You got in trouble.:
Sebastian looked down at his phone, then over at Mariss, humored but indignant. He started to answer her. He was halfway through typing the text when the usher cleared his throat from the end of the row.
"Mr. Boa, you're going to get me in trouble," the young man pleaded. "They can see you on the cameras."
Sebastian looked up to see a camera trained on him. Mariss covered her laughter with her hand.
"Here," she whispered. "You can take my phone. I started it."
"Too nice." Sebastian shook his head as the usher took her phone.
"Sebastian Boa!"
The room erupted in clapping as Sebastian's name was called. He stood, leaving his phone in his seat, and buttoned his jacket on his way to the stage. As he was handed the award and given room to step to the microphone, the applause and cheers died down. His mother, Juliet, and Mariss beamed at him from their section.
"This is a real honor," he began, "to stand up here where so many others have stood before me. If it wasn't for my tolerant, supportive mother I don't think I would have made it this far. Of course, Juliet, my assistant who handles everything for me and Mariss for being such a tolerant friend." He couldn't help but laugh. Sebastian listed off a few more people before he went back to his seat amidst much more cheering and clapping.
He handed the award to Mariss as he took his seat and unbuttoned his jacket. She took it from him and inspected it, reading the inscription and running her fingers over its smooth surface. Mariss held onto it, cradling it against her body. For what reason, Sebastian didn't know, but he wasn't about to take it from her. He'd rather see it in her dainty hands than in his anyway.
By the time the ceremony was over, Sebastian was starved.
"Here." Mariss handed him the award.
He stared at it for a moment, trying to figure out why it upset him that she was giving it back. Waving a hand in dismissal, he said, "Keep it."
Mariss frowned. "Keep it? Like, keep it, keep it?"
He nodded. "Yes. It's yours."
"What if your mother-"
"She'll be fine."
Mariss gave him a strange look, but finally said, "Alright, but don't try to ask for it back."
Sebastian shook his head. "Wouldn't dream of i
t."
Juliet and his mother joined them a moment later. Martha smiled up at him. She looked exhausted.
"Juliet is going to take me home," she told him. "It's way past my bedtime."
"Of course, Mother." He kissed her on the cheek.
"You two behave," Juliet said before she walked his mother out of the building.
"Shall we?" Sebastian asked, turning to Mariss and offering his arm.
She nodded. "I want to get my phone."
"Of course."
Sebastian took her to one of the stations.
"Someone already came to get that phone," the usher said. "I gave it to someone about ten minutes ago. Said they were going to give it to you."
Sebastian stretched his suddenly stiff neck. "Was she a young woman about Mrs. Red's age? Wearing a black leather corset?"
"No, sir, Mr. Boa. It was a man. I didn't really see him. I was on the phone."
Sebastian took a calming breath as Mariss arm tightened around his. "Thank you. In the future, don't give out personal property to anyone it doesn't belong to." He'd have the young man's job by morning.
"Yes, of course, Mr. Boa. Congratulations."
He nodded and walked away.
"What about my phone?" Mariss asked. "Someone has all of my contacts. All of my author's phone numbers."
"Don't you have a lock on it?" he asked.
"Of course, but what if they figure it out? Or hack it?"
He sighed. "We'll deal with that when it comes to it." He was sure Hellena had something to do with the missing phone. Of course, there was no proof. "Right now, we should get to the dinner, because I'm hungry."
They were stopped along the way for pictures with his award, and with his presenter, and just pictures. He refused to take any without Mariss and made her hold the award for each one, even though she tried to give it back to him. By the time they broke away, everyone was confused.
Sebastian made sure Mariss was seated before he took his own chair. A waitress came to pour wine. He frowned as Mariss drained her glass. She caught him watching and turned to him.
"You don't want yours?"
"I haven't eaten much today. It's probably not wise to drink it right now."
The Man Without Rules Page 20