“Well, you should. Now I have to go. I’m in the middle of taking a relaxing bath and you so rudely interrupted me with this hotel nonsense.”
I heard a click and pulled my phone from my ear. She hung up on me. Damn her.
“It seems Miss Kane has you all worked up.” Eli smiled as he walked out on the patio.
“Can you believe that she paid the hotel bill with the money she won in Vegas?” I threw back my drink.
“That was nice of her.”
“Nice of her? It was stupid. I told her to go buy something nice for herself. Then she said it was the hotel’s money anyway, so why not give it back. What kind of fucking reasoning is that?”
“The reasoning of a woman who doesn’t believe in material things.”
Rolling my eyes, I went back inside and poured another bourbon.
“Yeah, well, whether she believes in them or not, she shouldn’t have done that. And another thing, do you know she won all that money because the sun was in Leo and I lost thousands last night because supposedly we’re in a Venus retrograde?”
“Huh. She’s into astrology. Interesting.” He smirked.
I shook my finger at him. “Do you know what she just asked me?”
“What?”
“She asked me if I meditate. She’s way out there, Eli. Her mother is a spiritual advisor and her dad is a musician on the streets of the New York.”
He just stood there with a grin on his face. “Yeah. She’s way out there all right. Too good for you, may I add.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow unless you need me to drive you somewhere tonight.”
“No.” I waved my hand. “I’m in for the night. I have work to do.”
He walked away and I finished off my drink.
“Mr. Bennett,” Karina spoke. “Dinner will be ready shortly.”
“Thank you, Karina.”
I went to my room and changed out of my clothes and into something a little more comfortable. Taking a seat at the dining table, I began to eat my dinner. For the first time in two and a half days, I was alone. Which was good, right? She annoyed me at times. Got under my skin and made me question why I even brought her to Vegas. I smiled at the thought of her. Shaking my head, I made all thoughts disappear. I needed to focus on other things, like business. I didn’t become what I was today by slacking on my work. The only way to get her completely off my mind was to avoid all contact with her for a while. I had a deal that was ready to go through and it was an important one. One that would make me millions.
Chapter 19
Chloe
“You probably emasculated him,” Sienna said as she bit into her turkey avocado wrap.
“No. Sebastian would never feel like that.”
“Really? He’s a hot and sexy gazillionaire. Do you actually think some of the women he’s been with have ever paid his hotel bill? It’s what he does, Chloe. He’s rich, powerful, and from what I can tell, a control freak. You, my loving spirited friend, who tries to make everyone happy by doing the right thing, emasculated him.”
“Ugh.” I took a sip of my water.
After finishing our lunch, Sienna left the gallery and headed back to work. I couldn’t help but wonder if what she said was true. Oh well, I had too much work to do to get ready for Caden’s exhibition to worry about Sebastian feeling emasculated.
As I was standing in front of the wall with a swatch of paint samples in my hand, I heard Connor and Ellery walk up the stairs. Turning around, Ellery gave me a hug.
“I heard you were in Vegas with Sebastian. How did it go?”
“It went great. We had a good time and a lot of fun.”
She stared at me with a smirk on her face. A smirk that told me she wanted all the juicy details.
“Have you decided on a color?” Connor asked.
“Almost. It’s between these two.” I held the swatches up against the wall.
“Both are great choices.” He smiled. “Have you contacted the painter?”
“Yes, and he said just to let him know when I pick a color and he’ll be right over. He said it should only take a day to get it done.”
“Good. So, things went well with Sebastian?” Connor asked in a weird way.
“Yes.” I narrowed my eye at him. “Did you think they wouldn’t?”
“Oh. No. Not at all. I was just asking.”
“What Connor means is that Sebastian has quite a reputation for being a ladies’ man and—”
I put my hand up.
“I know all about his reputation. It’s sweet that the two of you worry about me, but you don’t have to. I can take care of myself where Sebastian Bennett is concerned.”
Ellery scrunched up her nose. “I know you can,” she spoke as she placed her hands on my shoulders.
“I do have a question for you, Connor.”
“What is it?”
“Pretend you and Ellery weren’t married and you just started seeing each other and you took her on a trip with you. Would you have a problem if she paid the hotel bill?”
“I would never let her, so it wouldn’t be a problem.”
“Let’s say she threw some cash in an envelope and sneaked it down to the front desk without you knowing.”
His eyebrow arched. “Well, if that was the case, I would have a problem with it. I invited her to go with me, so it would be my responsibility to pay the bill. Why? Did you pay the hotel bill?” He smirked.
“Sebastian gave me some money before he left for his meeting in case I wanted to go down to the casino. I tried to refuse it, but he was very adamant that I took it. So I played a little blackjack and won a lot of money. After arguing when I tried to give him all the money since I won it with what he gave me, he took back the amount he gave and told me to keep the rest and buy something nice with it.”
“How sweet.” Ellery smiled.
Connor looked over at her with a frown. “I do that all the time.”
She patted his arm.
“I didn’t feel right keeping it, and Sebastian wouldn’t take it back, so I paid the hotel bill. After all, it was the casino’s money, so I was just giving it back to them. The hotel ended up calling Sebastian and telling him about it and he was a bit angry.”
Connor scratched his head. “You gave the money back to the hotel?”
“Technically, since it was their money I won.”
“Aw, that was so nice of you to do that, sweetie.” Ellery smiled.
“It wasn’t my money to keep anyway, but Sebastian can’t understand that.”
“I don’t blame him. I can’t understand it either,” Connor spoke.
“Of course you don’t, Connor. You’re money hungry.” Ellery frowned. “You did a great thing, Chloe, and if Sebastian is angry over it, too bad.”
“My friend Sienna said that he probably feels emasculated.”
“I’m sure he does,” Connor spoke.
“Well, he did lose a crap load of money the night before. I warned him not to gamble, since we were in the beginning of a Venus retrograde.”
“Huh?” Connor cocked his head.
Ellery stood there and shook her head at him. “Come on, Connor, you have a meeting to get to and I have some shopping to do with Peyton. We’ll talk later and see you tonight at dinner. Per Se at seven thirty.”
“Looking forward to it.” I smiled.
I was meeting Connor and Ellery for dinner. It wasn’t just any ordinary dinner. It was a celebratory dinner for the success of opening night at the gallery. Both had felt bad that they didn’t get a chance to do it sooner, but as far as I was concerned, they didn’t need to do it at all. After they left, I examined the swatches one last time and finally picked a color.
****
Sebastian
I hadn’t contacted Chloe all week after our little discussion about the hotel bill. I was still pissed off that she would do that and not even tell me. As I was sitting at my desk, my phon
e rang. It was Serena.
“Hello, Serena.”
“Your voice is music to my ears, Sebastian. I haven’t heard from you in a while. How about dinner tonight?”
Leaning back in my chair, I placed my hand on my forehead.
“Sure. Why not? Where do you want to meet?”
“How about Per Se at seven o’clock?”
“Very good. I’ll see you at seven.”
Serena was a woman whom I saw on occasion. She was the daughter of J.P Morgan of JP Morgan Chase. She was classy, elegant, and sophisticated. She was exactly what I needed right now.
“I just have to change my clothes,” I spoke to Eli as we entered the penthouse.
“Are we picking Miss Kane up?” he asked.
I stopped and looked at him. “I’m not seeing Chloe tonight. I’m having dinner with Serena.”
“I see.” He frowned.
After changing and dabbing on some more Armani cologne, Eli and I headed to the limo.
“Have you spoken to Chloe since your little irate phone call to her?”
“No. Why would I?”
“You did take her on a trip, Sebastian.”
“So what. Like I said before, it didn’t mean anything. You know me, Eli. I don’t attach myself to anyone.”
“I know, but I thought this time—”
“You thought wrong. So please, keep your opinions to yourself.”
“I’ve known you for many years, Sebastian, and this woman has affected you like no other woman has in your lifetime.”
“No she hasn’t, so don’t go assuming things you know nothing about.”
He rolled his eyes and drove me to Per Se.
Chapter 20
Chloe
Connor, Ellery, and I arrived at the restaurant at the same time. After promptly being seated, Connor ordered a bottle of wine. Once the glasses were filled, Connor held his up.
“To a very successful opening night and to the woman who made it happen.” He smiled.
“I second that.” Ellery held up her glass.
“Thank you. But this wasn’t necessary. You already know that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”
“It was necessary and we appreciate everything you’ve done for us and the gallery.” Ellery smiled.
After looking over our menus, we placed our dinner order and I looked around the restaurant.
“This place is so—” I stopped midsentence and stared across the room.
“What’s wrong?” Connor asked.
“Umm.” My eyes wouldn’t leave the table where Sebastian and a woman were sitting.
Connor and Ellery both turned around and then turned back and looked at me.
“Damn him,” Connor spewed.
“No. No. It’s fine. Trust me.” I gave a fake smile. “I was just a little surprised. I’m okay.”
“We can leave. Right, Connor?” Ellery asked.
“Of course.”
“No. We’re staying and enjoying a wonderful dinner.”
“Are you sure? Do you want me to claw his eyes out?” Ellery pouted.
“Oh, God, Ellery. Please don’t make a scene.” Connor shook his head.
“Thanks for the offer, Ellery, but I’m fine. It’s not like we were a couple or anything. He told me that relationships were off the table. So he can see anybody he wants.”
Hurt coursed through my body and when it reached my heart, it hurt pretty bad. I wanted to cry, but I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t shed a tear for a man who could do what he did.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to use the restroom,” Connor spoke as he got up from the table.
Ellery held up her hand and signaled our waiter. “Four shots of Jack Daniels, please.”
“Coming right up, Mrs. Black.”
“When you’re hurting, Jack is the one man you can count on that will always be there for you. He’ll listen and then he’ll make you feel oh so good.” She smiled.
I couldn’t help but laugh. When I looked across the room, I saw Connor stop at Sebastian’s table before returning to ours.
“Shit.” I looked down. “Connor stopped at their table.”
“Of course he did, because he knew I would eventually make it over there.”
Connor came back to the table, and when I looked across the room, Sebastian was staring at me. Like an idiot, I gave him a small smile and wave.
“Did you just smile and wave at him?” Ellery whispered as she leaned across the table.
“Yes.”
“Good job.” She held up her hand for a high five.
“What did you say to him?” I asked.
“Nothing. I just told him it was nice to see him and that you were here with us celebrating the success of opening night. You should have seen the look on his face when he looked over and saw you sitting here.”
“Yeah, because he got caught. The sorry son of a bitch,” Ellery spoke.
“He didn’t get caught at anything. We aren’t dating. So let’s enjoy our dinner and talk about something else.”
The waiter brought our shots of whiskey and set them in the middle of the table.
“Are those what I think they are?” Connor asked Ellery.
“Yes.”
“Elle, this isn’t the kind of restaurant where you do shots.”
“Connor, sweetheart. As long as a place has a bar and serves alcohol, shots can be done anywhere.”
He sighed and shifted in his chair. I laughed. After doing the first shot, I set the glass down and closed my eyes. The burn felt so good. Picking up the second glass, I brought it to my lips just as Sebastian approached our table.
“Hello, Chloe. Ellery.” He nodded.
“Hello, Sebastian.” I smiled and gulped at the same time. I needed to hold it together even though my heart was racing and my legs were shaking under the table.
“I hope you’re enjoying your dinner.”
“We are, Sebastian. How was Vegas?” Ellery grinned.
I looked over at Connor and he placed his hand over his face.
“Vegas was good.” Sebastian looked at me.
“Good. Good to hear. Connor and I love Vegas. Where did you and Chloe stay? You know, in Vegas, together for an entire weekend?”
“The Palazzo Hotel.”
“Nice. We usually stay at the Bellagio.”
“Well, I’ll let you get back to your dinner. It was nice seeing the three of you.”
He gave me a small smile as he walked away. His lips might have been smiling, but his eyes told a different story.
“Why did you bring up Vegas?” Connor asked as he glared at Ellery.
“Why not? He’s wrong and he knows it. Someone had to call him out on his bullshit.”
“But—”
“No buts, Connor.”
I simply sat there across from this adorable couple and smiled. After we finished eating, we said our goodbyes.
“Call me if you want to talk.” Ellery hugged me.
“I’m fine, Ellery. But I promise I will.”
“I’ll be in touch, Chloe,” Connor spoke as he hugged me. “Have a good night. I’m sorry about what happened.”
“Don’t be. Maybe it’s the universe sending me a sign.” I smiled.
****
Sebastian
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I ran my hands through my hair as Serena and I exited the restaurant.
“Let’s go back to my place,” Serena whispered in my ear.
Yeah. That was what I needed. I needed to fuck her and release this tension that had been brewing inside me the last few days.
“Let’s go.” I hooked my arm around her and we walked to the limo.
As I slid in next to her, Eli shot me a look. I turned and looked out the passenger window to avoid any further eye contact with him. He didn’t know shit. When we stepped inside Serena’s apartment, she asked me to unzip her dress. Taking off my suit coat, my fingers deftly grasped her zipper and slowly pulled it down. My lips traveled to her shoulder as I
slipped off her dress and let it fall to the ground. She turned to face me and our lips locked tightly together. She moaned. My hands cupped her bare breasts, kneading them and tugging at her hardened nipples.
“God, I’ve missed this, Sebastian,” she moaned as my lips traveled to her neck.
Thoughts of Chloe went off in my head like a slide show. Me fucking her. Her smile. Her laugh. Her incredibly sexy body and her beautiful green eyes. Eyes that could light up a dark room. Eyes that smiled at me every time I looked into them. Pulling away, I put my hand up.
“I’m sorry, Serena. I can’t.”
“What do you mean you can’t? Come on, baby.” She smiled as her lips brushed against mine.
“I can’t.” I pulled away and paced around the room.
“What the fuck is the matter with you?” she shouted rather loudly.
“I have to go.”
Grabbing my jacket, I left her apartment and climbed into the limo.
“That sure as hell didn’t take very long,” Eli spoke.
“That’s because nothing happened. Just drive.”
When I arrived home, I poured myself a drink and took it out on the patio. What the hell was happening to me? I needed to call her and make sure she was okay. Her phone rang and then went straight to voicemail. She ignored my call. Great. I sent her a text message.
“Chloe, I think we need to talk about tonight.”
I waited for a response and nothing. Slamming my glass down on the table, I flew out the door and hailed a cab to her apartment. As I was walking up the steps, a couple came walking out. I ran and held the door open for them and then headed up the stairs to Chloe’s apartment. I softly knocked and waited. No answer. I knocked again. No answer. Pulling out my phone, I sent her a text message.
“Damn it, Chloe! Answer the fucking door!”
As I hit the send button, I heard her voice down the hallway.
“Sebastian? What are you doing here?” She cocked her head while holding a large brown bag in her hands.
“Doesn’t matter. What matters is I don’t appreciate my calls or text messages being ignored,” I spoke in an abrupt tone.
“Huh? I didn’t get any calls or text messages from you.” She handed me the large paper bag as she slid her key in the lock.
“Don’t lie to me, Chloe.” I followed her inside.