“So where is he?” he asked, glancing at Loren.
“He’s in his study with his friends discussing horses, as always,” Loren said, giggling. “He did ask for one thing more than once,” she furthered. “He wants to meet Arielle.”
Marcus and Jeanette, who had attended Arielle’s birthday party, walked right behind Loren and the conversation ended. Arielle didn’t see Daniel anywhere, and since he was supposed to be Loren’s boyfriend, Arielle wondered about that.
She received a warm hug from Marcus and a smile from Jeanette, who seemed, however, to be more interested in Sebastian. Arielle shook her hand politely and Sebastian, after offering a soft hello, turned to greet a friend, at which Jeanette clearly looked disappointed. Arielle resisted the impulse to roll her eyes. She glanced at Sebastian. He appeared to be totally transfixed with someone or something across the room. Following his gaze, she could see a young woman surrounded by a group of men who were fighting for the girl’s attention. She looked back at Sebastian, who was still focused on the group.
“Who is that?” she asked.
“Who?” Sebastian said, turning his gaze to Arielle.
“The girl across the room.”
“Oh, that’s Arianna McCaffy.”
“She’s stunning,” Arielle said. A pang of jealousy suddenly hit a nerve.
“She’s all right, I suppose,” he replied uninterestedly. Arielle tried to remain quiet, but words seem to slip out of her mouth uncontrollably.
“She must be a lot more than all right. She seems to be holding your attention.”
Sebastian’s brow rose and he looked down at her face. “What makes you think I’m looking at her?”
“Well, aren’t you?”
“No,” he said, his tone smooth. Arielle pressed her lips together and remained quiet. Sebastian moved closer to her, one arm slipping around her waist pulling her hard against him, the other cupping her chin, lifting her face to his. His eyes bored right through hers and a wide smile covered his sensuous lips. “When, oh when, are you going to start trusting me?”
“How can I do that in a room full of such stunning women?” she protested as Sebastian bent down and took her mouth in a scorching kiss.
“You are the only stunning woman I’m interested in,” he assured her.
He kept his arm around her while he walked around the room, stopping to pay his respects to a few distinguished couples, introducing Arielle as his fiancée. He had to let go of Arielle as he shook hands with several of his friends and received hugs, some of them from especially eager females and a bit more lengthy than Arielle thought appropriate.
Arielle looked around the room. She felt like she was standing in the middle of a modeling agency. Everywhere she looked she saw unbelievably beautiful people. Each one had distinct differences, but they all were stunningly beautiful with gorgeous facial features and amazing bodies. Good Lord, she thought. How could any normal human being have a chance around so many amazing people?
Loren hugged her again. “I’m so happy you came, Arielle, have you seen Paul here?”
“No, I haven’t seen Paul since Christmas day,” Arielle replied, a bit surprised by the question.
Sebastian moved toward her and took her in his arms, holding her with affection.
“Why are you so interested in Paul?” he said to Loren. “Is there something you would like to share with your brother?”
Loren looked down and kept quiet as Arielle gave Sebastian a meaningful look, motioning for him not to press Loren for answers. He understood right away and didn’t say anything more, just gave his sister an affectionate kiss.
“Loren, the type of welcome you gave to Arielle is usually reserved for me. Am I playing second fiddle to her now?” he joked. Loren just smiled and fell into his arms, giving him a huge kiss on the cheek.
“I’m sorry, Sebastian, but Mother has been waiting anxiously to meet Arielle. Can we take her there?”
“All right,” he said. “I’ll be back,” he called over his shoulder to some of his friends, and they moved to the main ballroom. Everyone was busy socializing and some were dancing while a twelve-member band was playing a variety of modern melodies and classical compositions. Several couples were already on the dance floor.
Well, that sure fits the surroundings, she thought and chuckled. The room breathed of immortality, creating a highly memorable atmosphere. Arielle felt that she was truly living in another era.
They walked towards the west wall, where Arielle could see several women standing in a circle. They all turned around as she approached, and she heard Loren say in a clear, excited voice, “Mother, this is Arielle.”
A tall, attractive woman stepped forward. She reached out and embraced Arielle warmly. Then, she took her hand and looked at the ring, a beautiful smile on her face.
“Congratulations, my dear, and welcome to the family,” she said in a kind voice. “Sebastian has told me so much about you, and I’m so pleased to meet you.” She gave Sebastian a warm kiss on the cheek. “I’m happy to have you here, darling,” she said.
She introduced Arielle to her friends and Sebastian greeted them all with a smile. Then, Olivia took Arielle’s hand and pulled her closer. “Please come and sit with me for a while,” she said. They walked toward a large sofa against the wall, and Olivia asked Arielle to sit next to her while Loren and Sebastian sat on her other side. She kept Arielle’s hand in hers and gazed into her eyes as if she wanted to read into her very soul. Immediately, Arielle thought of the reaction she had to Sebastian’s gaze and she went rigid, not wanting to be dazzled, but to her surprise she had no reaction to Olivia’s gaze at all.
“You are a very beautiful young woman. I’m happy to see that you are wearing the necklace,” she said approvingly.
“I want to thank you for that,” Arielle replied. “It’s a magnificent gift, and I love it,” she added, running her fingers over the necklace as she spoke.
“Tell me a little about you, and your family, dear.”
“Well, my family has lived in Brighton for thirty-five years. They are originally from York. My father owns BMLS industries. They build commercial airplanes. My mother is involved mostly in charity work and sits on several boards of directors. She helps to acquire monies for hospitals and museums, and institutions that need the funds to help with illness or abuse.”
“Sebastian says you are in college. What are you studying?”
“I’m an engineering major. I’ll be graduating next year and moving on to graduate school.”
“What type of engineering do you want to practice?”
“Um, that is a very good question,” Arielle said, smiling. “The only other person that has ever asked me that question was my father, whom I adore.”
Olivia seemed pleased with this reply. “Tell me,” she urged.
“Well, I would like to be hired by an engineering firm that will make it possible for me to design commercial buildings or bridges across the world. That’s my passion.”
Olivia was now looking at Arielle with tremendous interest. Sebastian was also studying her face as she spoke, a loving grin on his face.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman your age who has been so sure about where she was going in life. I’m extremely pleased about this. Sebastian told me that you were exceptionally smart and very beautiful, and he is right on both counts. I know that he has made an excellent choice. I’m so proud of both of you.” She then leaned closer to Arielle and whispered, “He is my son and I love him deeply, so please don’t hurt him. I know he loves you more than anything in this world. He has never really loved another girl. This is all new to him, I want him to be happy, and I will do anything I can to help you both if you need me.”
Arielle smiled softly, and when she spoke, her voice came out as a whisper. “Mrs. Dillon, I love him more than life itself. He is everything to me, but I know we don’t belong in the same world. He is unbreakable, undying, strong, magical, and gorgeous. I’m only human.
I am not sure how it will all end up, but I know I can’t live without him.”
After speaking these words Arielle felt a sudden sadness. Olivia noticed, and cupping Arielle’s chin in her hand she tilted her face up so that Arielle could meet her gaze. Sebastian reached over his mother’s lap and took Arielle’s hand.
“What are you all whispering about?” he asked. He heard every single word spoken, but he wanted to be involved in the conversation. Both women ignored his question as Olivia continued talking in her soft tender voice.
“Don’t worry, dear, it’ll all work out. Sebastian is an amazing young man, and he’ll make it work. Just trust in him and be happy.” Then she kissed her on the cheek, and turning to Sebastian she said, “Sebastian, I think you should introduce your future bride to our guests, don’t you?” Sebastian nodded in agreement and rose to his feet.
“Have you seen your father yet?” Olivia asked.
“Not yet, but we are heading that way,” he replied and placed a gentle kiss on his mother’s cheek.
“We will talk again before you go,” Mrs. Dillon said firmly as Loren, Sebastian, and Arielle walked away.
As they walked, Loren began chattering nonstop, telling Arielle everyone’s business. Arielle chuckled happily.
“I don’t see Daniel anywhere.”
Loren gave her a surreptitious look, and leaning closer she whispered back, “He’s history.” They laughed. Through it all, Sebastian kept a firm arm around Arielle’s waist, as if he were afraid to let her go. Several young men walked up and asked her to dance, but he told them politely, and firmly, that she had promised all the dances to him.
As they were mingling, a beautiful young woman walked up to Sebastian and took him into her arms. Arielle thought she saw some familiarity in the look he gave her, and again she felt a pang of jealousy. But she just looked at him and met his gaze steadily. He smiled lovingly and introduced her.
“Arielle, this is Sylvia, she is the wife of a dear friend. We’ve known each other for many years.” Then, turning to Sylvia, he said. “Sylvia, this is my girl. She is the woman I’ll be spending the rest of my life with.”
He couldn’t have said anything that would have made Arielle feel happier or more secure. He bent down and pressed his lips on hers, while she noticed a flash of jealousy in Sylvia’s eyes.
Arielle looked away quickly and let Sebastian pull her towards the next room. As they entered, several girls walked up to him and hugged him, some lingering for a long time in his arms, some kissing him as if they knew him well. Arielle was so jealous she was ready to scream. She pressed her lips together and instantly he noticed. Nothing she did escaped him.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” she said, keeping her lips pressed tight.
“Something is bothering you, and I want to know what it is,” he insisted.
“How come you know all these women so well?”
“Arielle, come on, they are just people I’ve met through the years.”
She remained quiet while he tried to make her look at him.
“Are you jealous?”
“Yes, extremely,” she said in a stiff voice.
“Mmmm, I like that,” he said and pulled her tight against his body. “Do you still love me?” he asked, chuckling.
“You should stop asking that…” she said, a bit anxious.
Just then, two guys walked up and introduced themselves to Arielle as Taylor Wells and Roman Brannon. Loren seemed to know Roman, and they moved onto the dance floor. Taylor was striking. He was tall, with bright blue eyes, dark hair, and a brilliant smile. His voice was warm and exciting.
“Sebastian, ol’ man. Where have you been keeping this beauty?” he asked.
“Taylor, this is Arielle Lloyd, my fiancée,” Sebastian said irritably.
“Your fiancée? When did this happen?”
“Earlier this year,” Sebastian replied, enunciating his words crisply.
Taylor’s gaze never left Arielle’s face. “You are gorgeous, my dear,” he said charmingly.
What’s with the “ol’ man” and “my dear” bit? Arielle thought. He sounds like he’s back in the eighteenth century. Arielle suppressed a giggle.
“Can I have the next dance?” he added with a flirtatious grin. Sebastian’s arm became rigid around her waist. His jaw muscles tensed.
Arielle smiled softly at Taylor. “Thank you, but I’ve promised all the dances tonight to my fiancé.”
Taylor returned her smile courteously. “Sebastian, ol’ boy, you’ve always been a very lucky man,” he said. He gave a nod to Arielle, and turning around, he walked away. A quiet curse escaped Sebastian’s lips as he pulled Arielle away from that side of the room.
“What was all that about?”
“I have never liked that guy,” he scowled. “There’s something disturbing about him. He is an old adversary of mine. I never thought he would be here tonight. It wasn’t Arianna that attracted my attention earlier, it was Taylor.”
“Oh…” her voice trailed. “I supposed you don’t want to talk about this right now, do you?”
“No, not particularly.”
“All right then,” she said softly. “We’ll talk about it later.”
Sebastian chuckled, and pulling her close to him, pressed his lips ravenously against hers.
“I love you, my Lizzy.” Their eyes met, emerald to sapphire. Then, their lips met again. Sebastian held the kiss for a very long time.
“Sebastian,” a beautiful velvety voice called out behind them. “Can I have one of those kisses?” A cheerful laughter followed. Sebastian and Arielle turned around and came face to face with a striking woman. She looked a lot older than Sebastian, yet utterly gorgeous. Her smile was mesmerizing. Sebastian’s muscles clenched. His eyes narrowed to slits. He became absolutely still.
“You haven’t forgotten me have you, darling?” she continued, never taking her eyes off of his beautiful face. She reached out to brush his hair away from his forehead, but Sebastian pulled back quickly, avoiding her touch. The woman flinched, but kept a wide smile on her face. She seemed to be purposely ignoring Arielle’s presence, just keeping her gaze focused on Sebastian.
“Hello, Elizabeth,” he stammered awkwardly. Arielle felt his body stirring uncomfortably.
“Just hello? No hugs, no kisses, darling?” she pouted. Sebastian paused for a short moment, struggling to regain his control as he instinctively pulled Arielle tighter against his side.
“Elizabeth,” he said firmly. “This is my fiancée, Arielle Lloyd.”
“Fiancée? You’re going to… be hitched?” she asked, laughing disagreeably. She shook her head in denial. “I’m having a hard time believing that any woman could claim you for her own,” she said, laughing again most unpleasantly.
Arielle felt an immediate dislike for this woman. Who is she? she wondered.
Finally, Elizabeth acknowledged Arielle. “My dear,” she said, accentuating the words, “Sebastian and I go way back. He was one of my very best customers,” she chuckled.
Arielle looked up at Sebastian, utterly puzzled. His face was tense and his lips were pursed. He had a dreadful look in his eyes. Arielle realized that whoever this woman was, she was making Sebastian extremely uncomfortable. Her thoughts whirled wildly in her mind. She didn’t like the sound of the woman’s words, but could see that she was determined to finish this conversation.
Arielle slowly turned and gave the woman a stern glare. “Your very best customer? What type of business are you in?” she asked, totally puzzled by Elizabeth’s next statement.
“Oh, let’s just call it the ultimate gift—for men,” she said and broke into another ill-mannered laugh.
Sebastian gazed down at Arielle, and pulling her softly toward him, he murmured, “Let’s go, baby.” Arielle shifted, letting him know that she was going to get through this conversation. She continued to keep her gaze on Elizabeth.
“What types of gifts did Sebastian purchase from you
?” Arielle insisted.
“Oh, he wasn’t the one purchasing the gifts,” Elizabeth said, chuckling distastefully.
“Then, I don’t understand. How he could be your best customer if he didn’t purchase any of your gifts?”
Elizabeth continued to hold a tactless smile on her face. “It was the ongoing crowd of women that were buying gifts, trying to get Sebastian into their beds,” she said. “So, as you can see, indirectly he became one of my very best customers.”
“Elizabeth, be careful,” Sebastian spit out, his voice icy cold.
Arielle ignored Sebastian’s statement. “Well, it sounds to me that you should be grateful to Sebastian for boosting your business,” Arielle said, holding her own. She was sure this discussion was going somewhere, but she wasn’t sure where.
“Oh, indeed, I’m most grateful,” Elizabeth said, looking up at Sebastian, who remained rigid. He wished very much that Arielle would listen to him and move away from Elizabeth, but she was insisting on standing her ground. He pursed his lips in frustration, but he knew he couldn’t force her to move.
Now, Elizabeth turned her gaze back to Arielle and when she spoke again, her voice came out slow and venomous. “Sebastian was loved by many, but he chose me,” she said. The smile widened and she pierced through Arielle’s eyes deliberately. Arielle’s jaw dropped in astonishment, a sight Elizabeth seemed to enjoy. But she quickly regained her composure and stared back at Elizabeth with pure revulsion.
“What are you doing here, Elizabeth?” Sebastian interrupted. His voice was now hard as steel.
“Oh, didn’t you hear? I married Lord Winston, one of your mother’s dear friends,” she said.
“Will you please excuse us? I want Arielle to meet the rest of the guests,” Sebastian said, giving her a meaningful glare.
“Oh, no, not before Arielle has a chance to hear all about you, my darling,” Elizabeth replied venomously. Once again Sebastian tried to pull Arielle away, but she held firm. She wanted to hear what this woman had to say.
“What is it that you would like to tell me?” she asked, pursing her lips.
Arielle Immortal Seduction (The Immortal Rapture Series Book 2) Page 22