"Mrs. Red?" one of them asked. He was Sebastian's height with a little more bulk. His head and face was covered with the brightest orange hair, his goatee trimmed tastefully.
"Oh, my ginger is here!" Mariss exclaimed. "Paul, right?"
"Yes, ma'am" he said with a southern drawl.
"Oh, that's sexy," Brit said and flashed a smarmy grin at him.
"I'm sure you know of Sebastian Boa."
Mariss motioned to him and he offered his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Boa," Paul said.
"Likewise."
"If you'll all follow me this way."
Mariss led them down the hall. Sebastian noticed for the first time that she was wearing a pair of grey jeans instead of her usual professional skirt. Her blouse was red and her shoes a pair of shimmering black flats.
"Mrs. Red, you're wearing jeans in the office?" he asked.
"It's casual Friday."
Sebastian frowned. "It's Wednesday, if I'm not mistaken."
"Casual Friday on a Wednesday," Mariss, Brit, and Eloisa said at the same time.
"Oh, well of course, then." Juliet snickered along with the three models. "Why didn't you dress casual?" Sebastian asked his assistant.
"I work for you, not Mariss."
"You could have asked."
Mariss turned before she pushed the door open to the green screen room. "I forgot to tell her."
She held the door for them. Sebastian stepped past her and into the room. Paul took the door from her, holding it for the other two models. Sebastian scowled.
There were eight other models present. With a weathered eye he looked them over and knew who would work and who wouldn't. They were lined up against the wall where they'd obviously been told to wait. The one at the farthest end must have just come out of the military. He stood with his back stiff as a board, his head erect, and his chest puffed out like he was at drill. The white shirt that he wore - they'd all been told to wear white shirts and blue jeans - stretched tight over his broad chest and shoulders.
"At ease, soldier," Mariss called to him. She kicked off her shoes by the door and smiled. "This is really quite casual."
The soldier smiled back and instantly relaxed.
The one next to him was shorter by a good foot with long, shaggy black hair that touched his shoulders. He had some tattoos and his lip was pierced. Sebastian noticed that the girls couldn't seem to look away from him.
Next to him were twins. They'd been doing this for a while. He'd seen them around before, though they hadn't garnered much notoriety. Sebastian walked over and shook their hands.
"How's it goin'?" they asked in unison.
"Nice to see you," he offered.
The man standing next to the twins was older. With some grey around his temples, he had a more distinguished look that Sebastian thought Mariss would probably like. He nodded to him and crossed to the other side of the room to sit next to Mariss.
The other three men weren't much to look at. They were pretty with smooth faces. He wasn't sure they could even grow facial hair. Then, of course, there was Paul the ginger, and the two muscle bound body builders he'd arrived with.
"I could put bets on the ones you'll choose," Sebastian said to Mariss.
"Oh yeah?" Her eyes were carefully empty, as if she wasn't sure how to act or what to think.
Sebastian felt himself teetering on the same tightrope of indecision. He crossed his ankle over his knee and nodded. "Yes. Shall I write them down? We can check and see how correct my choices were at the end."
Mariss nodded, still wary. "Sure. I'll run to the office and get you some paper."
"I'll go. I'll just get some off your desk." He winked and stood.
"Where's he going?" Eloisa asked as the door closed behind him.
The hall was strangely quiet. The receptionist wasn't at the front desk either. Sebastian pushed into the office and stopped at Mariss' desk. Her notepad lay on top of a pile of papers. He ripped off a piece and wrote down his predictions with a pen that said The Tea Room. How did she get one of his pens? It didn't matter. He folded the piece of paper and put it in his pocket, leaving the pen on the desk.
Eloisa was standing in the door when he turned. That same hunger burned in her eyes again.
"I never got you that coffee," she said, her thick accent curling around the words. Somehow, being alone with her, his body started to react. Maybe because he hadn't had sex in a month. Or maybe his hurt feelings were about to get him into trouble.
"No, you didn't."
She inclined her head toward the illumination room. It was a bad idea following her in there. A really bad idea. But Sebastian did what Sebastian did best.
Eloisa punched the button to frost the wall of glass and closed the door. Her shirt was over her head before he could blink. She hopped up on the edge of the bed and Sebastian went to her like her breasts were magnets. She didn't wear a bra. His hands slid over her skin and his thumbs caressed the sides of her breasts as his mouth covered hers.
Eloisa's hands went to his waist. She unbuckled his belt and undid his fly quickly enough to suggest she got a lot of practice. It was really no wonder with the way she threw herself at him.
The shame of it was, Sebastian felt himself reverting to the man he used to be. Whatever good he'd made of himself in the time he'd spent with Mariss began to slip away. He'd never realized how miserable he really was, nor did he know what to do with it. He let go of everything holding him back and kissed Eloisa with a fervor only the dying should have. It was through a haze that he heard the door open.
"We're waiting."
Sebastian turned at the icy tone. Mariss glared at him, her brown eyes almost black in her fury. He watched her process Eloisa's naked torso and his open fly. Her face went empty and any fire behind her eyes winked out. Had she slipped away?
What reason did she have to be angry? No one could do her like her husband could. She'd used Sebastian, though he was still unsure of what her real game was. She had no right to judge him.
Sebastian turned back to Eloisa to plant a sloppy kiss on her mouth.
"Almost, Eloisa." He flicked her nipple, pulling a little yelp from her. "I like that sound," he said as he zipped himself up and buckled his belt.
Eloisa looked from him to Mariss. Her eyes filled with fear and she quickly pulled her shirt back on.
"What's wrong, Red?" Sebastian asked, unable to mask his smirk. "Can't you get as well as you give?"
Mariss blinked at him. He squeezed through the door ignoring her empty eyes. Eloisa scurried along behind him like she was using him for a shield. He put his arm around her, but she ducked from beneath it and ran off to the green room.
Mariss brushed past him, her bare feet making heavy thumping sounds on the carpet.
"Are you angry, Mariss?" he taunted.
"About what?" she asked without turning around.
"I don't know. That's why I'm asking you. "
She didn't answer. When she yanked the door open to the green room she didn't bother to hold it. Sebastian pressed against it with one hand and let all of himself fill the room. Everyone's eyes were on him, men and women alike. He sat down next to Mariss, but she didn't stay seated long. Sebastian watched her move about the room, her agitation keeping her from staying in one place long.
"The ginger first," she said.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Mindy
"Sebastian." Juliet thumped Sebastian's arm as he punched the button for the elevator, but he didn't move to acknowledge Mariss as she came up beside him.
"We'll be shooting in three weeks," she said. "I need to get the ads up soon. I'll coordinate with Juliet to let you know. You're still working with us on this?"
He nodded without looking at her. "Of course."
"Alright."
No "good bye" or "I'll see you later". No "call me". She just walked away and disappeared behind the frosted glass of the office. Sebastian replaced his hurt with anger and almost felt
one hundred percent himself again.
"Wow," Juliet whistled as they waited for the elevator. "You… I don't… What…" She frowned and started again. "That was just a mess."
"How was it?" Sebastian frowned. The doors opened. He stepped in and held the door, but Juliet didn't get on. "Are you coming?"
"What did you do?" she asked.
"What are you talking about? Get on the elevator."
Juliet stepped in slowly. "Things were cordial when we got here and they were frigid just a moment ago. What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything," he argued. "Why does it matter anyway? It's done between us." That sounded too much like they were seeing each other. "I won't be doing anything with Mariss Red after this campaign is over."
Juliet raised an eyebrow at him. "Mariss Red? Since when do you… You know what? Never mind."
"I'm going to the club," he announced rather forcefully. "I've let it fall by the wayside. I need to check in and make sure things are running smoothly."
"Otherwise known as, you're going to fuck Hellena to get your mind off Mariss. How did that work for you the last time?"
Juliet slapped the button to open the doors and the elevator stopped on the next floor.
"Where are you going?" he asked, astounded by her behavior.
"Sebastian," she started, then locked her lips tight. "I'll meet you at the club later. Call me if you need me. Actually, you know what? Don't call me. This is me walking out early. If you call, I won't answer. I-"
The closing doors cut off whatever she was about to say. Sebastian stared at the stainless steel in confusion. Where the hell had that attitude come from?
Things weren't much better at the club. Hellena wasn't there, but she was scheduled to come in later. Sebastian spent the day in the office returning backed up phone calls and going over the accounting. Going over the numbers helped to distract him.
By seven, music droned through the office walls. No one disturbed him, they probably didn't even know he was there. By nine, Sebastian had poured himself a glass of brandy and was walking the main floor. There were a few early partiers on the dance floor. He stepped down into the pit and walked the outer wall. There was a live band tonight. He didn't know their name, nor was he impressed, but the dancers seemed to be enjoying themselves.
A young woman caught his eye. She looked familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he knew her from. Her blonde hair fell over one eye in a way that was supposed to be alluring. Sebastian sipped his drink as he watched her. She was very slight and a bit thin for his tastes. The way she smiled. It galled him that he couldn't remember.
She looked up at him through her hair, her body moving to a beat that wasn't really a beat. Sebastian wasn't quite sure what it was, but there was no rhythm to it.
The woman danced a little closer, not fast enough or close enough to be obvious if he was anyone else. Sebastian leaned against the wall and took another sip. He waited. He was patient. She danced with a few men, but none of them for long. Finally, she was dancing in front of him. Sebastian checked his watch. It had taken her twenty-three minutes to get to him.
She lifted her arms in the air, gyrating so close to him he could smell her hair and perfume, a soft floral scent that wasn't unpleasant.
"Nice place," she said. Her voice was definitely familiar.
"Thank you," he shouted over the music. He drained the rest of his drink and shook it so the ice would rattle around.
"I'm Mindy."
"Sebastian. A pleasure, Mindy." Did he know a Mindy? He should. He knew he should know who this woman was. The way she was looking at him was like she expected him to recognize her any moment. When he didn't, a smile spread across her face.
"Are you looking for something, or someone in particular?" he asked.
Mindy nodded with pointed a pointed stare.
Sebastian motioned toward the upper floor. "After you."
She skipped ahead of him and up the stairs out of the pit. He caught her around the hips and said in her ear, "What's your flavor?"
"Bound and gagged," she replied. "Nothing too hardcore."
Sebastian bit his lower lip and guided her back to the Red Room.
"Get undressed." The room was empty, as it would probably stay for a good while. Sebastian removed his suit jacket and vest and loosened his tie. The discarded pieces of clothing he lay across the back of a chair. Then he removed his shirt and kicked of his shoes, fighting back his distaste.
"Lay down," he told her. Mindy giggled and reached for his waist band, her small breasts pressed against his chest.
"You don't have your clothes off yet." She started to work at his belt.
Sebastian took her hands in his and pulled them away from him. Her eagerness almost disgusted him.
"Lay down." He spoke firmly, but rather than be deterred, Mindy smirked and lay back on the bed. Sebastian slipped out of his trousers and tossed them over the rest of his clothes. He reached under the bed and pulled up a black strap with a padded wrist cuff. After he secured Mindy's left wrist, he moved down to the end to find the cuff for her ankle.
"Too tight?" he asked.
She shook her head. Sebastian moved around the end of the bed to cuff her other ankle and wrist.
"Can you snap?" Mindy demonstrated that she could by snapping the fingers on both hands simultaneously. "Good. One snap for slow down, two for stop, three if you want me to untie you immediately. Understand?" He didn't plan on anything exotic, but anything could happen.
Mindy nodded again.
"Answer me," he said, his voice bland, but commanding.
"I understand."
Sebastian walked back around to the end of the bed. He'd love to see Mariss laying here naked, stretched spread eagle before him with her arms and legs bound so he could have his way with her. But thoughts like that weren't polite at a time like this.
Sebastian crawled onto the bed between Mindy's spread legs and leaned over her to retrieve a condom from the night stand beside the bed. Quickly, he ripped it open and rolled it over his length. She hadn't mentioned his size as most did, which meant she'd seen it before. Warning bells went off inside his head and Sebastian knew he should stop right then, but something spurred him on. He couldn't put his finger on what it was.
He slid inside her. She wasn't very tight, so there was little resistance. Mindy gasped. He watched her bite her lips together.
Sebastian pulled out and slipped back inside. The most awful sound came out of her lips and he suddenly remembered where he knew her from. She was the flight attendant who'd made that god awful pig squealing noise when he'd fucked her on the plane. He hung his head, supporting his weight on both hands. Mindy's eyes were closed and he suddenly felt horrible. Apparently, she couldn't help the noise. No wonder she'd asked for a gag.
"Sorry," she whispered.
Bloody hell, she was embarrassed.
"For what?" Sebastian pulled out of her slowly and climbed off the bed. In the drawer of the night stand was a piece of cloth. A year ago, maybe even six months ago, he wouldn't have bothered with whether the girl was embarrassed by the noises she made. Mariss had done more than hurt his feelings.
He tied the thick piece of cloth over her mouth, trusting it would catch most of the sound. He gave her cheek a little stroke, then climbed back on top, looking down at her as he slid back inside. Mindy tilted her head back as a low moan was caught and muffled by the gag.
Sebastian thrust in and out. Her body reacted, but it was all wrong. The reactions were wrong, the sounds were wrong, the smells were definitely wrong. Mindy arched against him. He pressed her to him with a hand on her back. The gag covered her squealing and when she came, Sebastian licked the dew from her skin. It was practically tasteless. He resorted to licking his own skin and it left him completely unsatisfied, though he did manage find release. He'd only ever had to do that once before and he hated it.
Mindy squirmed beneath him. Sebastian released her hands and let her take care of the re
st while he tried to rally. His heart rate hadn't risen and he'd barely broken a sweat. At this rate, he could have run a few miles and been more satisfied.
"We should do this again some time," she said, a silly smirk on her face.
Against his better judgement, and all of his common sense, Sebastian gripped Mindy's wrist and pulled her around to look at him. He was laying back, propped by the pillows with his free hand behind his head. This was what Mariss did to him. She made him soft, and he couldn't afford to be soft. Not with his reputation.
"When was the last time you had sex, Mindy?" he asked. "Was it on the plane with me?"
Mindy frowned. "No, of course not."
Sebastian shook his head and let his eyes smolder. "Don't lie." Mariss would tell him he was using his self-awareness against her, and that was precisely the point.
"Most men," she started and faltered. "I don't really want to talk about this."
There was a certain hesitancy in her that went beyond her embarrassment. Her face wasn't flushed as he would expect from a woman who didn't like talking about her idiosyncrasies. Her hands fidgeted in her lap and she hunched herself over, trying to hide her nakedness.
Sebastian lifted her chin with a finger, all the while willing himself to make her leave. What did he care about this woman's feelings? Why did he care how she felt about herself?
"Talk to me," he told her in a tone that brokered no argument.
"I've come to accept that the noises I make aren't exactly normal." She shrugged. "I can't help it."
Mindy chewed the inside of her lip and her eyes raked his face appraisingly. Sebastian did his best to look approachable. She wanted to tell him something, but she was afraid. She frowned like she was warring with herself.
"What's wrong, Mindy? Talk to me."
"Do you always do this? With the women you fuck?"
Sebastian shook his head and slipped his other hand behind it. He stretched like a cat, smirking when it made her uncomfortable. "Only women I fuck twice." He winked.
Mindy smiled and finally blushed. "Did you fuck Mariss Red?"
The Man Without Rules Page 24