99 The Awkward Aftermath of a Lie
Hazel’s POV
My stomach dropped to my feet as Sebastian mentioned Elliot Thorne The memory of that humiliating night outside the restaurant crashed over me like a tidal wave. Had Elliot heard everything I said to Alistair?
“Hazel Sebastian’s voice pulled me back to reality. His eyes studied my face with concern. “You’ve gone pale.
I forced a weak smile I’m fine. Just… surprised to see that car
Sebastian’s expression shifted A hint of amusement crept into his eyes. “Actually there’s something I should mention about Elliot
My heart hammered against my ribs. “What about him?”
“He asked me about you this morning” Sebastian’s voice lowered. “Rather, he asked about us.
“Us?” My voice came out as a squeak
Sebastian cleared his throat. “He wanted to know if you and I had… He hesitated looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable. “Been intimate.
The blood drained from my face: No. This couldn’t be happening.
“Why would he ask that?” I whispered, though I already knew the answer
Sebastian raised an eyebrow “Apparently, he overheard you telling someone that you and (had slept together Multiple times in fact.
My legs nearly gave out. Sebastian’s hand shot out to steady me, his firm grip on my elbow the only thing keeping me upright
You need to sit down, he said. guiding me to a nearby stone bench away from the
entrance,
Mortification burned through every inch of my body. I couldn’t meet his eyes
Sebastian. I can explam-
divers much like to hear this explanation.” he said, his tone more curious than angry
I took a deep breath That night with the Bentley-it was Alistair. He ambushed me on my birthday, trying to convince me to take him back.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened at the mention of Alistair, but he remained silent, waiting
“He kept pushing, saying I was still in love with him. I continued, the words tumbling out faste He wouldn’t listen when I told him it was over. He grabbed my WTIST insisted I was lying
Sebastian’s eyes darkened dangerously. “He put his hands on you?”
“Yes-no-it wasn’t violent, just… possessive.” I shook my head. “I needed to hurt him. to make him back off. So I blurted out that I’d moved on. That I’d slept with someone else.”
“Me” Sebastian supplied.
I nodded miserably. “I’m so sorry. Your name just came to mind because we’d been seen together in the papers. I never imagined anyone else was listening
“And the multiple times’ part?” Sebastian asked, his lips twitching slightly.
My face burned hotter: “Emight have gotten carried away with the details. I wanted it to sting
To my surprise, Sebastian chuckled. The sound was warm, rolling through the evening air. Well, you certainly succeeded on that front
buried my face in my hands. “This is humiliating. What did you tell Elliot?
“Nothing yet. I wanted to hear your side first
I peeked at him through my fingers. “You’re not mad?
Sebastian leaned back, studying me with those intense eyes “Why would I be mad that a beautiful woman told her ex-fiance that was satisfying her in ways he never could
“I didn’t say it exactly like that, I protested weakly
According to Elliot you were quite descriptive Sebastian’s eyes danced with amusement Something about how I’m nothing like Xistan in bed and know exactly
how to please a woman?
wanted to disappear. “Kill me now
Sebastian laughed again. “If it helps, Elliot was impressed.
“It doesn’t help at all!” I groaned. “Everyone at this party is going to think-
“That I’m extremely lucky” Sebastian finished, his voice dropping lower “Which isn’t entirely wrong.
The way he looked at me sent a shiver down my spine. There was heat in his eyes-a different kind than his earlier protective anger.
“What am I supposed to do now?” I asked helplessly. “Walk in there and pretend] didn’t he about sleeping with you?”
Sebastian considered this for a moment. “You have two options. Deny everything and make me look like a man who’s been rejected, or-
“Or?”
He leaned closer, his cologne enveloping me. “Play along.
My breath caught “You want me to pretend we’re sleeping together?
“I’m suggesting we could let people assume what they want. His fingers brushed mine on the bench between us. “It would certainly keep Alistair at bay if he hears the rumors
are true.
Logic told me this was a terrible idea. But logic had abandoned me the moment Sebastian had taught me from falling.
I can’t ask you to do that.” I said finally
“You’re not asking. I’m offering Sebastian’s voice was soft but firm. “Besides, the damage is already done Elliot has been giving me hell all day
winced. “What did he say?
Sebastian’s lips curved into a half-smile. He said it’s pathetic that I’ve been slept with by a girl and don’t dare admit it. That you refuse to acknowledge me afterward
“Oh God” covered my face again Tve ruined your reputation with your friends
On the contrary Sebastian sand, gently pulling my hands away from my face. You’ve made me the subject of intense curiosity and, dare I say envy
Our eyes locked. Something electric passed between us-something that made my he seem less outrageous by the second
“We should go inside.” I whispered, suddenly aware of how close we’d gotten on the
bench.
Sebastian nodded but didn’t move. “First, tell me something, Hazel.
“What?”
“Was it worth it? Using my name to get rid of Alistair that night?”
I thought about Alistair’s face-the shock, the jealousy, the way he’d finally let go of my wrist. “Yes I admitted. “It worked.
Sebastian smiled, a slow, dangerous smile that made my heart skip. “Good. Because I have a feeling we’re about to make it work even better.”
He stood and offered me his hand. Against my better judgment, I took it, allowing him to pull me to my feet
“Ready to face Elliot?” Sebastian asked, his thumb tracing small circles on the back of my hand.
“No” I replied honestly. “But I guess I don’t have a choice.
Sebastian’s eyes darkened. “There’s always a choice, Hazel. Just make sure it’s one you won’t regret in the morning”
The double meaning wasn’t lost on me. As we walked toward the entrance, his hand found the small of my back again-possessive, protective and somehow promising
What had started as a desperate lie to hurt Alistan was quickly spinning into something I couldn’t control. The worst part? I wasn’t sure I wanted to stop
