59 The Perfect Man’s Secret Heart
So, I ventured, still processing Sebastian’s revelation about his mother’s marriage expectations, have you considered just picking one of those suitable candidates your family keeps throwing at you?”
Sebastian’s expression darkened slightly. Tve attended exactly one arranged meeting It was.. sufficient to discourage further attempts.”
“That bad?” I asked, genuinely curious.
Sebastian sipped his wine before answering. “It wasn’t her fault. She was accomplished, well–educated, from an excellent family. But…
“But what?” I pressed when he trailed off.
“There was nothing there.” His gaze drifted briefly away, then returned to mine with startling intensity. “And I refuse to settle for nothing”
Something about the way he said it sent a flutter through my chest. I tried to keep my tone light. “So the perfect Sebastian Sinclair has standards even for arranged marriages. I’m shocked.”
He gave me a wry smile. “You think I’m perfect?”
“Please,” I scoffed. “Even your cufflinks probably have pedigrees.”
“They were my grandfather’s,” he admitted, then laughed softly at my triumphant
expression.
“See? Perfect I gestured at him with my water glass. “The business empire, the
impeccable suits, the cool composure. You’re like a character from a novel.”
Sebastian’s amusement faded, replaced by something more complex. “I’m far from perfect Hazel. My mother would be the first to tell you
“Because you haven’t married yet? That’s hardly a character flaw”
He shook his head slowly. “In her eyes, everything I’ve built professionally is merely Inheriting what was already established: Not achievement, just… maintenance.
stared at him, genuinely shocked, “That’s ridiculous! You’ve tripled the compan
vulpe since taking over
“You’ve researched me,” he observed one evebrow raised
Heat rushed to my cheeks. “Basic business intelligence. You’re invested in my
company
Hmm His expression remained unreadable
Hleaned forward, suddenly eager to understand. “Do you really believe that? That you’re… unaccomplished?”
Sebastian’s fingers traced the rim of his wine glass. “There are days I wonder if she’s right. If I’ve simply been following a predetermined path rather than creating something truly my own.
The vulnerability in his admission stunned me. This was Sebastian Sinclair–the man whose name opened doors most people couldn’t even approach.
“Well, your mother is wrong,” I said firmly. “And I’m saying that as someone who’s seen firsthand what you can do.”
His eyes caught mine, something warm flickering in their depths. “Thank you, Hazel.”
The simple sincerity in his voice made my heart stumble. I cleared my throat. “So if arranged marriage is off the table, what’s your plan for escaping your mother’s matrimonial campaign?”
Sebastian’s expression shifted subtly. “There’s actually someone I’m interested in
I nearly dropped my spoon. “There is?”
“You seem surprised.
just
I fumbled for words. “You never mentioned anyone”
It’s complicated,” he said quietly.
“Complicated how? The question slipped out before I could stop it. “Sorry that’s obviously personal”
Ti’s alright Sebaston hesitated, then continued, “My family would likely
disapprove
Klose I was geominely intrigued. The great Sinclair heir interested in someone the family wouldn’t approve of? Now that’s a story”
A shadow of something uncertainty–crossed his face. “It’s not that simple
“Does she know?” I asked, inexplicably invested now. “How you feel about her?”
Sebastian’s lips curved into a sad smile. “No.
“Why not tell her?
“I don’t dare.” His voice was so quiet i almost missed it.
I stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Sebastian Sinclair–a man who commanded boardrooms, made billion–dollar decisions without blinking, and owned half the city-
was afraid to tell a woman he had feelings for her?
“You don’t dare?” I repeated incredulously, my mouth hanging open. “You?”
He looked at me then, something vulnerable and fierce in his eyes. “Some risks are too great, even for me.”
I couldn’t process what I was hearing. The idea that someone could intimidate Sebastian seemed impossible. What kind of woman could reduce this powerful man to
hesitation?
“She must be something special,” I finally managed.
“She is.” The simple conviction in his voice stunned me into silence.
As I sat there staring at him, jaw literally dropped, Sebastian suddenly reached across the table. His fingers gently touched my chin, pushing upward to close my mouth.
The contact was brief–barely a second–but electric. We both froze, his fingertips still hovering near my face. Time seemed suspended between us as his dark eyes locked
with mine.
4 jerked back first, forcing a laugh that sounded slightly hysterical even to my own cars, Sorry, I think you short–circuited my brain. The idea of you being afraid of anything is
just too bizarre.
Sebastian slowly lowered his hand, has expression unreadable Torgive nue That was.. presumptuous
No, it’s fine.” I said quickly, my skin still tingling where he’d touched me. “What was
that for anyway?
A hint of warmth returned to his eyes Your expression. You looked so stunner, with
wour mouth hanging open. It was, adorably silly.
Adorably silly? From Sebastian Sinclair?
Freached for my water glass, desperate to cool the heat in my cheeks. “Well, can you
blame me? You basically just told me that the man who bought a
three–hundred–million–dollar bracelet without blinking is afraid to ask a girl out.”
“When you put it that way… A reluctant smile tugged at his lips.
Who is she? The question burst out before I could stop it “I mean–sorry, obviously
you don’t have to tell me
Sebastian studied me for a long moment, something shifting in his gaze. “Someone unexpected. Someone who sees me as a person, not a portfolio.”
My heart gave an odd flutter at the softness in his voice. Whoever this woman was,
Sebastian clearly cared for her deeply
She sounds special” I said quietly.
His eyes never left mine. “More than she knows.”
The imensity in his gaze made me feel strangely off–balance, Why was he looking at The ket that while talking about another woman?
ger wallet orrived with our check, breaking the strange tension between us, Sebastian
led over his card without even glancing at the total.
As we
worhan who
pal to feave lound myself wondering about this mysterious hard–apritsed Sebastian Sinclair’s hear What made her so special” And why did the thought of her cousten dive me feeling sa oddly deflated
Shall we? Sebastian asked, standing and extending his hand to help me up.
As I placed my fingers in his, I couldn’t help but think about the woman he couldn’t dare approach. Whoever she was, I hoped she realized just how rare it was to make the perfect Sebastian Sinclair feel imperfect–and just how much courage it took for hig
