83 Drunken Flirtations with a Mysterious Stranger
Sebastian Sinclair; r slurred, squinting at the blurry figure beside me powerful man in the city My hero in the shadows.
The man cleared his throat. I see
The most
Who am you anyway?” I tried to focus on his face, the alcohol making everything swim before my eyes. “Did Vera send you’ Are you one of those fancy male escorts?
His shoulders stiffened. “Excuse me?”
giggled, patting his arm. It’s okay! No judgment here. Vera’s always trying to set me up. You re very handsome for an escort
I’m not- he began, but I cut him off with a dismissive wave
Don’t worry about it! Your secret’s safe with me.” I tried to wink but ended up blinking awkwardly. “Though you don’t seem very friendly for someone in the service industry.”
The man pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s get you home.
He helped me to my feet, his strong arm wrapping around my waist to steady me. I leaned heavily against him, inhaling deeply.
“You smell nice. I mumbled “Like expensive cologne and power
“Can you walk?” His voice was tight, controlled.
Lattempted a step and stumbled. “Not really. The floor keeps moving
Without warning, he swept me up into his arms. I squealed in surprise, wrapping my arms around his neck
“Strong too!” 1 exclaimed. “Vera chose well.
He said nothing as he carried the through the empty club. The bouncers godded respectfully as we passed, which struck me as odd. Do escort services have that much clout?
Outside, the cold night air hit my face, briefly clearing my foggy mind. A sleek black car waited by the curly a driver holding the door open
Raburkan Rahens with a Adysterous Strange
As my escort carried me toward the vehicle, a familiar voice called out
“Hazel!
I peered over the man’s shoulder to see Alistair striding toward us, his face tight with
anger
“What the hell is this?” Alistan demanded, blocking our path: “Who are you and where are you taking my wife?”
“Ex-wife
corrected loudly, pointing at him. “You married my dying sister, remember? Except she didn’t die
The man holding me tensed. “Move aside.”
Alistair drew himself up. I’ve been waiting for her I’ll take her home.
“That won’t be necessary. My escort’s voice had dropped several degrees, sending chills down my spine despite my drunken state
“And who might you be?” Alistair sneered, looking him up and down.
“Someone she trusts more than you.
Alistair’s face reddened. “I don’t know what she’s told you, but Hazel is still my responsibility. We have unfinished business
“Your business with her ended when you chose another woman.” My escort’s grip on me tightened slightly. “Now step aside.
“You don’t know anything about our relationship!” Alistair reached for my arm. “Hazel, come with me. We need to talk
Before he could touch me my escort pivoted smoothly, keeping me out of Alistair’s reach
“She’s intoxicated and in no condition to talk,” he stated coldly “Especially not to someone who abandoned her
“Who the hell do you think you are? Alistair’s voice rose. “Some random guy who picked her up at a club
I think the better question is who do you think you are My escpet coltered “The concerned ex minds who left her for a stepsister Your concern comes far too
late
giggled against his chest. He’s got you there Alistair
Alistair s face contorted with rage. I’m calling the police if you don’t hand her over right now
By all means” My escort nodded toward his driver, who stepped forward holding up a phone. Would you like to use this phone? I’m sure they’d be interested to bear about how you re harassing an intoxicated woman and preventing her from safely leaving with a friend.
Alistair besitated, his eyes darting between us
“This isn’t over” he finally spat. “Hazel, I’ll call you tomorrow when you’re sober
“Don’t bother! I called as he stormed away. “I changed my number!”
My escort carried me to the waiting car and carefully placed me in the backseat. He slid in beside me, giving instructions to the driver in a low voice.
As the car pulled away from the curb, I turned to study him in the dim light
“Thank you for that,” I said, my voice suddenly clearer. Alistair can be…persistent “He seems possessive for someone who gave you up, he remarked.
I laughed bitterly. “That’s Alistair for you. Wants what he can’t have
The car moved smoothly through the night traffic. I fumbled with my seatbelt, my fingers clumsy with alcohol
“You remind me of him, you know” I said, giving up on the seatbelt
“Who?” He seemed to already know the answer
“Sebastian Sinclair smiled dreamily You’re just as tall. Same broad shoulders. But your temperament is all wrong. He’s calmer, inore controlled you have quite the tempri
His lips twitched “Is that right?”
“Mmm-brim nodded sagely. “Though I’ve never seen hini angry I bet hes magnificent when he’s angry. Like a storm
The cac braked suddents for a red light and Flurched forward, Strong hands caugh me, then etherently lastened my seatbelt
As he leaned over me. I breathed in deeply. What cologne do you wear? It’s divine
He paused, his face inches from mine. “It’s not cologne”
Whatever it is, like it reached up impulsively and touched his check “You’re very
handsome, you know. Almost as handsome as Sebastian. But don’t tell him I said that
Sister
He froze. “Sister?
I nodded, smiling drunkenly “That’s what we call each other, us girls. Sister this, sister
that You’re a pretty sister
He leaned down, his eyes intense. “Do I really look like a sister to you?”
