Chapter 16
He wanted so badly to grab her, to demand why she’d abandoned him and disappeared without a word.
But now that Mia was actually here in front of him, he couldn’t even look at her.
Because Sebastian knew he had no right, no standing to ask anything of her.
Mia had been with him for eight years with no title, no recognition, supporting him from rock bottom to the top of the world.
And what had he done?
Flirted with Claire, let her drag Mia through the mud over and over again.
He hated himself for wasting the best eight years of a girl’s life.
But he couldn’t let go either, because Mia had become an inseparable part of his soul.
“Mr. Pierce?”
His assistant quietly nudged him.
“Ms. Brooks finished her presentation. Do you have anything to add?”
The question made Mia instinctively glance his way, catching his intense stare.
“If you’re not satisfied with our proposal, Mr. Pierce, we have alternative strategies.”
Mia met his gaze head–on.
Her completely professional tone felt like a knife to Sebastian’s chest.
After a long silence, just when Mia thought the deal was dead, he shook his head.
“I have no objections. Whatever Ms. Brooks needs, Pierce Corp will provide full support.”
Everyone in the room visibly relaxed and started praising Mia’s expertise.
Sebastian’s mood had been unpredictable for years–not many people escaped his meetings without getting torn apart.
The recognition from others made Mia’s eyes light up with a genuine smile.
She’d expected Sebastian to make things difficult, but somehow she’d pulled it off without drama. At least she hadn’t let her boss down.
After packing up her files, Mia followed the staff escort toward the exit.
But just as she reached the lobby, security blocked her path.
“Ms. Brooks, hold up a sec.”
She looked confused and was about to ask what the hell was going on when a familiar voice came from behind her.
“Mia, don’t go.”
That voice made her freeze. She slowly turned around.
Sebastian stood there, his eyes glued to her every move with this desperate, almost pathetic hope–like some guy who’d just found his lost
puppy.
Crawling Back!
27.6%
Chapter 16
Mia closed her eyes, her hands automatically balling into fists.
The second she’d agreed to take Pierce Corp’s case, she’d known this awkward as hell moment was coming.
Uncomfortable silence stretched between them like some invisible wall.
Pierce Corp employees kept walking by, but they all rubber–necked when they saw Sebastian.
Everyone knew their ice–cold CEO was basically a monk when it came to women, so they were all dying to see who could possibly thaw this guy
out.
Feeling everyone’s nosy–ass stares, Mia wanted to crawl under a rock.
“It’s the middle of the workday.”
She let out an exhausted sigh.
“Come on, let’s grab coffee or something.”
Sebastian’s whole face lit up and he nodded hard.
As long as Mia was still willing to talk to him, maybe he wasn’t completely screwed.
He didn’t even realize that only around Mia did he turn into this desperate, vulnerable mess.
They’d barely made it to the parking garage when Mia tried to put some space between them, totally creeped out by his intense staring.
But before she could step back, Sebastian had her trapped against the wall, his arm around her waist.
He was breathing in her scent like some kind of addict–that light jasmine smell that was the only thing that could calm his racing thoughts.
He stared at her like she might disappear, his hand desperately grabbing hers and lacing their fingers together.
He couldn’t hold back anymore.
He needed to touch her, hold her, kiss her.
Mia tried to pull away but couldn’t break free, getting seriously pissed.
She stomped on his foot hard.
“Back the fuck off. I meant let’s find a Starbucks or something.”
Her voice went ice–cold. “If you wanna do this caveman shit here, I’m gone.”
Sebastian buried his face in her shoulder, his voice completely wrecked.
“Mia, I’ve been going crazy without you. Don’t shut me out, please. I’m begging you here.”
Every single day of these three years had been absolute hell.
They were so close that Mia could feel his heart hammering against his chest.
