68 An Herpected Eriduster
68 An Unexpected Encounter
Toouldnt help checking my watch again as Mrs. Sinclair and I finished our dessert Sebastian had promised to join us, but there was still no sign of tim
He sends his apologies Mrs Sinclair said, noticing my glance. “Business emergencies are unfortunate but common in our farmily.
smijed politely, “Of course, I completely understand.”
But a small part of me felt disappointed. I’d been looking forward to seeing Sebastian more than Leared to admit. The sketches in my portfolio seemed to mock me now, prepared specifically with his tastes in mind.
“Sebastian works too hard.” Mrs. Sinclair sighed, setting down her teacup. “His father was the same way. The Sinclair men have always carried the weight of responsibility
on their shoulders.”
“What exactly does your family do?” I asked, realizing I knew surprisingly little about
Sebastian’s business despite our growing connection.
Mrs. Sinclair’s eyes twinkled. “A bit of everything, my dear. Technology, investments, security systems. Sebastian oversees our most challenging ventures.”
She shared stories of Sebastian’s childhood as we finished our tea. I found myself feading forward, absorbing every detail about the man who had become such an
enigmatic presence in my life
*e was always serious” she said fondly. “Even as a little boy. Always protecting others.
ways thinking three steps ahead”
The afterlop stretched on pleasantly, but eventually I glanced at my watch agam and
realized I needed to leave
3 should get gang” said reluctantly have a client meeting in two hours
Mrs. Sakit added. “Sebastian will be disappointed to have missed you. Perhaps Canocter tone?
* Dripped Encounter
#i’d like that? I replied, surprised by how much I meant it.
As we said our goodbyes, Mrs. Sinclair embraced me warmly. “You’ve brightened my day, Hazel Our family is better for knowing you
The sincerity in her voice made my throat tighten. I’d never experienced such
Immediate acceptance before
My driver waited at the bottom of the stone steps leading from the garden. As the car pulled away from the mansion. I found myself looking back, half-hoping to see Sebastian’s car approaching. The winding road remained empty.
“Ridiculous” I muttered to myself, Why was I acting like a lovesick teenager? Sebastian Sinclair was a client-an unusually attentive, devastatingly handsome client-but a
business connection nonetheless.
Yet as we descended the mountain. I couldn’t shake the hollow feeling in my chest
Something about Sebastian pulled at me in ways I couldn’t explain. The mysterious
connection Mrs. Sinclair had hinted at seemed to vibrate between us, even in his
absence
“Ms. Shaw, my driver suddenly called, slowing the car. I believe that’s Mr. Sinclair’s
vehicle coming up the road.
My pulse quickened as I spotted the sleek black car approaching around the bend. Without thinking, I sat up straighter and smoothed my hair.
Both cars slowed to a stop alongside each other on the narrow mountain road. I watched through the tinted window as Sebastian emerged from his vehicle, tall and commanding in a perfectly tailored suit. He didn’t hesitate or look around-he walked directly toward my car as if he’d known exactly where to find me
Mr. Sinclair wishes to speak with you, my driver announced unnecessarily
My hands trembled slightly as I opened my door and stepped out into the cool mountain air. Sebastian stopped a few feet away, his intense gaze locking with mine
Hazell he sid
Just my first name Not Me Shaw Not the usual forinal address. The intimacy of it int jent
shner down my spine
“Sebastian” Freplied my voice steadier than I expected.
Tin sorry I missed our lunch,” he said, dosing the distance between us with two long strides. A security matter needed my immediate attention
The fact that he’d rushed to intercept me just to apologize made my stomach flutter
“Your mother was wonderful company, I assured him, unable to look away from his
face. I didn’t mind.
“I did.” His voice dropped lower. “I was looking forward to seeing you today?
A gust of wind blew a strand of hair across my face. Before I could reach for it Sebastian’s hand was there, gently tucking it behind my ear. The brief contact of his fingers against my skin sent electricity coursing through me.
“I brought some new sketches,” I said quickly, desperate to regain my professional composure. “For the charity gala next month.”
Sebastian glanced at his watch, then back at me. “Do you have time to come back up to
the house? I’d love to see them now.
Thesitated, thinking about my upcoming client meeting. I should decline. I should maintain boundaries. I should remember what happened the last time I let my guard
down with a man.
“Yes” Lheard myself say instead. “I have some time.”
Sebastian’s smile was subtle but transformed his usually serious face. “Good, Follow me back up?
As I returned to my car, my phone buzzed with a text from Vera: *How was lunch with dragon-lady mom?*
I quickly typed back: “Mrs. Sinclair is actually lovely. Didn’t see Sebastian, but
I paused, watching through the windshield as Sebastian walked back to las can his confident stride making my heart race
but I’m about to He just intercepted toy car leaving his property.*
Vera’s response was immediate. “OMG! The man literally chased you down! This is
NOT nonne client behaviore
I put my phone away without responding. Vera was right-this was far beyond normal professional interest Sebastian could have called or texted about the missed lunch.
Instead, he d personally intercepted my car, addressed me by my first name, and touched me with a tenderness that still lingered on my skin.
As we Jurned around to head back up the mountain, following Sebastian’s car tried to
calm my racing heart. Whatever was happening between us was intensifying with each
encounter
Mrs. Sinclair’s words echoed in my mind: *Some connections transcend our
understanding*
For the first time since Alistair’s betraval, I felt myself wanting to trust again-to believe that the pull I felt toward Sebastian might be something real, something
destined.
And that terrified me more than anything.
Apesar Harga
