The Protege

by Kailin Gow

  He leaned an elbow on the rail and looked at her. His eyes darted from the windswept tendrils of hair, to her eyes and down to the glistening gold of her dress, and her cleavage. “He is right, though. I’d have to be crazy to leave you alone with all these sharks roving about.”

  “Well, I got a glimpse of this Willow person and I can certainly understand you.”

  With a sardonic chuckle he looked out at the darkening sea. “She’s the epitome of the pretty bow on an empty package. She knows how to work her physical attributes to perfection, but she hasn’t a clue how to tap into her own soul.”

  “That’s a cold assessment.”

  “It’s an accurate one.”

  “She can’t be all that bad if she’s so interested in you.”

  He turned a solemn gaze to her. “How about we talk about something else? Like you, maybe.”

  Looking at him, the words Michael had said about him rang in her head. “Michael seems to find it odd that I would be here with you. Seems you have an interesting history of womanizing yourself.”

  “You have to taste a variety of foods before you learn what you really like.”

  “No need to get defensive… Bash.” The name sounded like a joke on her lips and she promised herself she’d never call him by the silly diminutive again. “A man with experience is far more interesting than a man who’s never known a woman. Of course a woman still has the desire to feel special in a man’s company, not like just another notch on his belt, but a colorful history can make a new relationship a little spicier.”

  “Hmmm,” he mused with an impressed, but stunned cock of his brow. “I didn’t really think you’d be the type…”

  “The type of what? Woman who enjoys hands that know what they’re doing? Lips that understand how to stoke a flame? Please… it’s every woman’s fantasy.”

  “Really?”

  “Just like men fantasize about women who are either virginal or full on seductresses.”

  His smoldering gaze bore down to the heated folds between her thighs. Dark and moody, Michael had said. Yes, so perfectly dark and moody…and delicious. She had to admit it was part of his appeal, and she had to admit it was working. If he was like any of his music, he would be complex, explosive, sweet, sensual, and passionate. She wanted to get to know the man who could evoke such emotions in her just from one part of her senses. What would it be like to have all of her senses ignited like that?

  “And which one are you?” he asked, his voice huskier than before.

  The sexy curve of his lips was more tantalizing than Serena had thought possible. They were full, sensual, and possessive. The kind you can spend hours nibbling on. It wasn’t hard to imagine the softness of his lips over hers. And his hands… Every time he touched her she felt the intense heat that raced throughout her body.

  She chuckled, a sexy sound that came from deep in her throat. “You don’t really want me to tell you that now, do you? It would shatter the illusion… the fantasy.”

  “The mystery continues. I like that. You intrigue me, Miss Singleton.”

  “And you make me want to slap you.” She wanted to fight the heat wave that was slowly taking over her body.

  “Why? What did I do?” he said with a laugh.

  “Someone has to slap that smugness out of you.”

  “Smug? I’m not smug,” he argued.

  “Please. I can’t believe I’m the first to ever tell you that. You're smug, arrogant, haughty and domineering.”

  “Anything else?” he said with a smirk.

  “You deliberately set out to make me feel small and inferior when I first entered your office. You wanted to play the role of the big, important professor who could control everything and everyone.”

  “You’re getting me all wrong.”

  “You had me so flustered, I was like a babbling teenager ready to do anything to please you.”

  “And you didn’t like that?”

  “Of course. No self-respecting woman would. But coming from you, and knowing how you are or what people say about you…I didn’t say I disliked it.” Frowning, she cast her gaze to the floor.

  He gently cupped her chin and brought her gaze back to his. “What is it then?”

  Completely disarmed by his gentleness, Serena’s breath caught in her throat a moment. Powerful men were always controlling and ruthless. They wanted what they wanted and didn’t care… didn’t care how she felt. Her feelings were always cast aside.

  Looking into his eyes, she could clearly see he wanted her, but what did he want from her? What would he think if she spoke too much? “The truth is that I like it a little too much; more than what is healthy.” There it was out. She’d said it. She held her breath.

  Sebastian leaned in closer, his eyes smoldering. “Good,” he whispered into her ear. “I think I can provide that for you, and you can provide what I need, too.”

  Chapter 6

  The dinner hour was quickly approaching, but Serena longed to remain outside on the upper deck with Sebastian. They hadn’t stopped talking since Michael had left them and she wanted to know more.

  “I’ll admit I’ve always found the idea of sending a child off to boarding school rather curious. Were you a naughty boy your mother couldn’t handle?” Serena had gasped when Sebastian had spoken of his cold and isolated childhood.

  He chuckled. “No. I was pretty much dark and moody, even back then. I was quiet and kept to myself. Music started to invade my life pretty young and all I ever wanted to do was play piano. No, boarding school was par the course. Everyone I knew went to boarding school.”

  “Did you miss your family while you were away?”

  “At first, a bit, but I quickly made friends, and of course, music took an increasingly large part of my life. Soon music was all that mattered and a handful of really good friends had become more important to me than the family I’d left behind.”

  He fell silent and Serena sensed he’d said too much.

  “I think it’s a little normal that you make strong bonds with friends. There’s nothing to feel guilty or ashamed about.”

  “A little psych 101?” His grin was friendly, even affectionate, but his eyes put a definite end to the subject.

  “I heard that you’ve been working on the score for a dark comedy.”

  “Actually, it’s more like a dark romance. The trappings of love and all that.”

  “Something you know about?”

  “Enough to be able to tap into it.”

  “Excuse me,” a short, round bald man said as he approached them. “Mr. Sorensen, if you don’t mind I’d like to introduce you to my wife and daughter. They’re great fans and would appreciate a moment with you.”

  “Of course, Mr. Bresmin.” Sebastian gave Serena’s hand an apologetic squeeze. “I’ll be back in just a minute.”

  “Take your time.” Serena smiled as he walked away to greet his fans.

  Much to the glee of the young teenager and a heavy set woman, he shook their hands and kissed their cheeks. It was the third time in twenty minutes that someone had come to him with such a request. He’d even received an invitation to make an appearance at a flamboyant woman’s banquet the following week, something he’d regrettably declined.

  Serena watched him. He carried himself with an air that was at once confident and charming. She considered the accusation she’d made earlier; calling him arrogant and smug. Watching him now she saw a whole different side of him. Even at a distance she could sense how approachable and warm he could be, given the right audience. As cold and distant as he’d seemed with Willow and her mother, he was now positively engaging and attentive to this young girl.

  The realization suddenly struck her. Sebastian hadn’t simply been invited because he was the son of the organizer of this fundraiser; he was here to draw in more people. He was the attraction. Of course. How had she not noticed it before? His name was important in Hollywood. His music had won several awards, including two Oscars and a Tony. Then a
gain, his notoriety at the university was nothing to sneeze at.

  He had everything, she concluded; looks, talent, smarts, money and looks. Oh, she thought with a private smile. She’d already said looks. Well, it was worth repeating.

  After a few moments, Sebastian returned, a sincere grin that begged her forgiveness on his lips. “I’d promised myself I wouldn’t leave your side again tonight, but I already find myself having to break that promise.”

  “I really hadn’t suspected you’d be this popular.”

  “Yeah,” he said with a wry chuckle. “A lot of people have underestimated me like that over the years.”

  Serena was about to defend her statement when she caught his teasing gaze.

  “I’d forgotten all about it, but I have a little speech I have to give before dinner.” He took her by the hand. “Come on. Everyone will be racing to the dining hall any minute now. I want to beat the rush.”

  Several people were already seated in anticipation of the dinner to come, but the vast majority of the large round tables were still empty. Pretty and elegantly draped in white, each table had an all white floral arrangement, white linen napkins and white china. The effect could have been stark and bare, but a touch of gold trim on the silverware and stemware as well as the sprinkling of green foliage among the pale blossoms gave depth and life to each table. The pure white also had a sobering effect. It brought home the charity they were all there for. Serena was impressed. Sebastian’s mother really did know what she was doing.

  “We’ll be seated with my mother. I hope you don’t mind.” He pulled a chair out for her.

  “I’m here to do as you wish. I don’t think sitting through dinner with your mother will be all that bad.” She looked down toward one end of the room then the other. A couple sat quietly at one table while a foursome of elderly gentlemen sat at another.

  Serena sat down and noted that people were already streaming in behind them. Sebastian barely had time to sit down for two minutes before he was called to make his speech.

  “Wish me luck,” he said with a wink. “This crowd can be ruthless.”

  A buzz of quiet conversation filled the room. The scent of expensive perfume mingled with the gentle fragrance of the flowers on the table. When Sebastian took the microphone, all eyes turned to him. There was no need for him to ask for their attention; he already had it.

  “I’m honored to stand before you tonight,” he said, his voice strong and commanding. “Many of my family’s closest friends are here and I can’t begin to express my gratitude. My mother, Marika Sorensen, has a long standing relationship with the Children’s Hospital and the money raised tonight will help rejuvenate a wing of the hospital, as well as buy much needed and very expensive medical equipment.

  “As a childless man, many people assume I have no idea what it is like to have a sick child. True, I can’t claim to have ever seen my own child suffer from the treatments for cancer or from the effects of any one of the many chronic children’s diseases.”

  He looked down at the floor a moment and Serena could have sworn she’d heard him choke on the last few words. When he brought his gaze back to the crowd, his eyes were red and filled with emotion.

  Her own eyes lined with tears. Serena couldn’t imagine a man as haughty as he sometimes showed himself to be, could be so touching; so moving. With a hand that seemed to shake with emotion, he pulled a piece of paper out of his jacket pocket. The remainder of his speech, Serena assumed. But when he turned the paper to the audience, Serena realized it wasn’t his speech at all.

  “This is Paloma Lorre.” Holding up the picture of a delightful little dark haired girl, he scanned the audience to ensure everyone got a good look. “When she was eight years old, she started to complain about a strange numbing sensation in her legs. Not long after her legs refused to function and she was unable to walk, unable to even stand. She was brought to the Children’s and soon after that every part of her body began to shut down. Paralysis took over her entire body. The only thing Paloma could move were her eyeballs. The prognosis; Guillaume Barre Syndrome.

  “For two and half long months, Paloma found herself in isolation. Her condition had become so critical, only her parents were permitted to see her. Doctors feared she’d never walk again.” He let the silence linger a long moment as everyone took in the disturbing information.

  “I wonder if any of you here tonight can imagine; over a year shut up in a hospital. Your body has shut down and you can’t remember the last time you had a breath of fresh air, the last time you played a game, the last time you had fun with friends.

  “Paloma never let that get her down. Her determination and will got her through treatments and physiotherapy. Believe it or not, when Paloma finally left the hospital, it was on her own two feet. That is the power of research. That is the power of our money. That is the good that comes out of the small effort we ask of you tonight.

  “The smile you see here, it’s not just for the camera. It’s always there. To hear this child talk and laugh, you’d never believe she’d ever suffered such pain. Yet, despite all the hardships she had to endure in her short life, she faced her days in the hospital with an optimistic view that is confounding.

  “I know for a fact that most, if not all of you would whine, cry, complain and scream out your discontent if you’d ever had to endure even a fraction of what she’s been through. You could perhaps say that she’s not yet learned to be cynical, to be jaded, to be defeatist, to be pessimistic. I say she has the joy and determination to live, regardless what obstacles are thrown her way.

  “For Paloma and all the other little valiant boys and girls who have had such obstacles put in their path, I ask you, men and women who’ve been graced with a charmed life, an easy life, to open your checkbooks and to be generous as you fill it in. As I look out at all of you, I know that many of you have built your own fortunes with your own blood, sweat and determination.

  “Mr. Goldwater who successfully and solely built a real estate empire. Mr. and Mrs. Bingham who started their own line of high end children’s clothes and are now in every elegant shop in America. Ms. Portman who borrowed a thousand dollars from a friend and turned it into a multi-million dollar beauty conglomerate.

  “But I also know that many of you, Peter Bottom, Belinda Kyle, Garrett Thomas and Richard Lynch, to name but a few, have had your fortunes passed onto you by your hardworking parents. You’ve lived the coddled lives of silver spoon fed children. You’ve never known hardship and barely know the meaning of the word struggle. If ever there was a time for you to step out and speak up for something worthwhile, to make a difference in the world, this is it.

  “Our goal tonight is to raise twenty-five million dollars, a number I know is easily attainable. And rest assured; every last penny of it will go towards buying much needed equipment and repairing that broken down wing the hospital, no, the children so desperately need.”

  He put the picture away and stepped down. After a long, almost guilt-ridden silence, the elite crowd softly applauded him.

  As he came towards her, Serena became vaguely aware of the people who’d joined her table. While she assumed they were Sebastian’s family, she had no desire to make eye contact with them. Instead she looked at Sebastian as he came to the table and pulled out the chair besides her. She knew her open admiration was clear in her eyes, and she made no attempt to hide it. He was proving to be a surprise at every turn and she had to admit she enjoyed that.

  “You don’t mince words, do you?” she quietly said as he sat down.

  Seated on the other side of him, his mother’s glare was cold and hostile. Apparently she didn’t share Serena’s assessment of his speech, but she said nothing.

  “This crowd needs to be shaken up sometimes. They get too comfortable, too complacent. They forget… or in many cases have never known what it’s like to struggle, to hurt.”

  “I’m sure your speech will have the desired effect and you’ll raise even more money than
you’ve asked for.”

  He took the glass of white wine set before him and held it up to her. “Here’s hoping.”

  “Your story about this little Paloma girl was very touching. How do you know her?” She bit down on the internal gnawing sensation that suggested he’d made it all up.

  “She’s the daughter of a colleague. He’d talked about her so much that he finally brought her into work to introduce her to us. She came to visit a few times after that; a beautiful little girl who instantly stole my heart, I must say.”

  Serena noticed an older, straight-back white haired man sitting beside Marika. He looked intently at Sebastian, a wistful smile barely warming the crease at his brow. He, too, seemed to disapprove of Sebastian’s actions.

  “Is that your father?” she asked, though she felt certain it was. They’d not been introduced and she couldn’t help but wonder if it was intentional or just a slip.

  Sebastian grinned and took a hold of her hand. He looked past his mother. “Father, I’ve neglected to introduce you to my date. Serena Singleton, this is Kaiser Sorensen.”

  Nodding, Serena smiled when she saw his warm, soulful eyes and sincere grin. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  While his eyes remained warm, he said nothing and Serena sensed Marika was the reason. Her back was glued to the chair as she stared straight ahead, her lips pursed in disapproval. After the brief introduction, she glared at her husband and clucked her tongue.

  Kaiser was considerably older than Marika. That much was clear. And while he was a handsome man in his own right, Serena got the impression his love for Marika was based solely on her looks, on the impression she made on those around her. She was a beautiful woman and she surely went to great lengths to maintain that beauty. She was a trophy, but a slowly tarnishing one; one that constantly needed to be shined; one that constantly needed attention. Her resentment of that fact darkened her pretty pale eyes and probably would have creased her brow, had they had the liberty to do so.

  Sebastian went on to introduce her to the other guests at the table. Willow was decidedly reserved when Sebastian introduced her as his date.