“Sebastian!” Chloe screamed.
I wasn’t finished because I wanted to make sure this guy never laid his hands on her again. Grabbing his shirt, I punched him again until Eli grabbed my arm and pulled me away.
****
Chloe
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. As I screamed Sebastian’s name, he looked at me with rage in his eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“He had no right touching you like that!” he shouted.
Suddenly, Sienna and Sam appeared and Sam got down on the ground to help Corey while Sienna stepped in front of me.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Sebastian?”
“Get out of the way, Sienna.”
“Or what? Are you going to punch me too?”
“Stop it! Both of you!” I screamed as I stepped away from Sienna.
I shook my head at Sebastian and then bent down to look at Corey. His eye was already swollen and there was blood pouring from his nose and mouth.
“You want him, Chloe? Did you fuck him?” Sebastian screamed as Eli held him back.
Standing up, I stood in front of him. My blood boiling with hatred as I could feel the vein in my temple pulsating with rage.
Placing my hands on his chest, I pushed him as hard as I could. He stumbled.
“He’s my ex from California, asshole. He flew in to celebrate my birthday.”
His eyes locked with mine and, suddenly, they filled with sadness.
“I’m—”
“Save it, Sebastian. You just can’t go around punching people. I never want to see you again.” I turned and pushed my way through the crowd of people who were standing there watching the scene.
I needed air. Taking off my shoes and stepping out the door onto the street of New York City, I could barely catch my breath. My body was shaking and I felt disoriented. I fell to my knees on a patch of grass near the club and began crying. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Chloe, I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.”
Jerking away, I looked up at Sebastian with mascara-stained eyes.
“Don’t you touch me!” I shouted as I got up and stumbled back. “Don’t touch me,” I whispered as I pointed my finger at him. “What part of ‘I never want to see you again’ did you not understand?”
“I apologized to Corey. He’s going to be fine. I just—”
“You’re a monster and you are to stay the hell away from me!” I walked away and back inside the club.
“There you are!” Sienna pulled me into a hug. “Are you okay?”
“Not really. Where’s Corey?”
“Over here.” Sienna led me to a small table where Corey and Sam were seated.
“I’m so sorry this happened.” I cried as I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Don’t cry, Chloe. He apologized.”
“I don’t care. He never should have hit you.”
“Listen, I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve had a bruised eye and a fat lip.” He smiled. “Come on; let’s get out of here and go back to your place for cake. We still have more celebrating to do.”
****
“Are you sure you feel okay?” I pouted as I gently traced my finger around the bruise on Corey’s eye.
“I’m fine. Stop worrying about me. Thanks for letting me crash at your place.” He smiled.
“You’re welcome to crash at my place any time you come to visit.”
“Take care, Chloe, and I’ll call you when I land.”
“You better.” I winked.
“Love you.” He kissed my forehead.
“Love you back.”
As the cab pulled up to my building, my heart started to race when I saw Sebastian’s limo parked at the curb. I swore to God, if he even attempted to talk to me, I would march right down to the police station and file a restraining order against him. After paying the cab driver, I saw Eli step out of the limo. I sat there for a moment while he walked over and opened the door for me.
“Good afternoon, Chloe.”
“Eli.” I nodded as I climbed out. “He better not be in there.” I pointed to the limo.
“He’s not. It’s just me. In fact, if he knew I was here talking to you, he’d probably fire me.”
“What can I do for you, Eli?” I asked as we walked to the door.
“I was hoping to speak with you for a moment about Sebastian.”
“I don’t want to talk about him.”
Sliding the key into the lock, I opened the door and invited him in.
“I know and I don’t blame you, but I need you to hear what I have to say.”
“I’m about to make some tea. Would you like some?”
“Only if it’s green.” He smiled.
“Yeah! My kind of man. Green tea it is.”
Eli took a seat at the table while I prepared the tea. There was nothing he could say that would make me change my mind about Sebastian. But I owed him the courtesy of hearing him out.
“Look, I’m not defending him at all, and what he did last night was totally crossing the line, but I know he deeply cares for you.”
“He has a funny way of showing it.” I poured the water into the cups.
“I’m going to tell you something about him. He’s had it rough since the day he was born. He had to fight for everything in his life. He was determined to climb out of the trenches and make something of himself.”
“That’s no excuse for violence,” I spoke as I set his cup of tea down in front of him.
“I agree. Sebastian is a good man and he has a good heart.”
“Heart of stone.” I interrupted.
“True, but only where women are concerned.”
“Why? Did he have an ex-lover that cheated on him or something?”
“No. If only it were that simple. He’s never allowed himself to get close to anyone. He’s allowed the scars of his past to keep him closed off from everything except his business.”
“What happened to him?”
“It’s not my place to tell you, but I’ve known him since we were young boys.”
I sighed. “Eli, why are you here? To tell me that he couldn’t help punching Corey because of his past?”
“No, Chloe. I’m here to tell you that he really cares for you and you need to reach out to him. I’ve never seen him like this with anyone before.”
“You mean punching people out?”
“No.” He smirked. “You’ve affected him in ways I never thought possible. He’s happy when you’re around. And that’s something I haven’t seen very much in his life.”
I got up from the table and stood behind the kitchen counter. “Well, he’s the one who shut me out and then had the nerve to punch my ex-boyfriend—who’s gay, by the way—because we were dancing.”
Eli walked over to me and placed his hand on mine.
“Just give it some thought, Chloe. He’s a broken man and I do believe you are the only person in this world who can put him back together. If I didn’t feel so strongly about that, I wouldn’t be here. Thanks for the tea.” He turned, and as he started to walk away, he looked back at me. “Please don’t ever tell him we had this conversation.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
Chapter 26
Sebastian
Her words kept playing over and over in my mind. “You’re a monster. I never want to see you again.” The truth was that she was right. I was a monster and I let my anger and jealousy get the best of me. I’d never lost control like that before, especially over a woman. I blew it. The best thing that had ever happened to me now hated me. Was she even capable of hate? Her eyes told me everything. That look of hurt, anger, and hatred would be forever etched into my memory. She deserved nothing more than to be happy and I needed to make sure she was. She’d get over what I’d done and she’d get over me. But I wasn’t so sure I’d ever get over her. I had ruined her birthday. Fuck, how did I not even know it was her birthday? I should have known.
If only I would have opened up to her and told her everything about me, I would have known and things would have been different.
A couple of weeks had passed since that night and every day became harder to deal with. I’d stop outside the window of the gallery and look in with the hopes of just seeing her and making sure she was okay. When she got off work, I’d make Eli follow her with me in the back, just so I knew she made it home and she was safe. Every night, she’d stop and talk to Willie. Sometimes for a few minutes, and sometimes longer. He wasn’t the only homeless man she talked to. There was a group of them that hung out in the alley. Almost as if they were a family and she was a part of it. Their faces lit up every time she’d stop and talk to them.
****
Chloe
Sebastian followed me everywhere I went. I wasn’t stupid and I could feel his presence. I guess you could say it was the connection we had. Ever since Eli left my apartment that day, I couldn’t stop thinking about what he had said about Sebastian having to fight for everything and climb out of the trenches to make something of himself. My mom told me that Sebastian punching Corey was his way of fighting for me, even though it was wrong.
It was Saturday and I decided to go to Central Park to think. Being outdoors and surrounded by nature always helped me to think more clearly. The work week was extremely busy. Between organizing another exhibition, having dinner with my parents, and visiting with Sienna and Sam, I just needed a day to myself. I felt out of balance, which I was attributing to a man named Sebastian.
I had the cab driver drop me off at the west entrance of the park and I made my way to Shakespeare Garden. It was my favorite spot in all of Central Park because it was quiet and the perfect place to meditate. Walking down the cobblestone path, I admired the beautiful flowers that were in bloom. When I found the perfect spot to settle, I laid out my blanket and set my picnic basket down. I took in a deep cleansing breath and closed my eyes. Taking in the beautiful sounds of nature, I heard something or someone. Opening my eyes, I looked around. Sighing, I closed my eyes and began to meditate. Once again, I heard something.
“Sebastian, I know you’re here,” I spoke in a loud voice. “And I also know how you’ve been following me. So just come on out and stop being so damn stalkerish.”
“How did you know?” he softly asked as he emerged from behind a tree.
“I just knew. You know when someone is following you.”
“I wasn’t stalking you, Chloe. I was just making sure you were safe and okay.”
“Whatever, Sebastian. Since you followed me out here, you might as well sit down so you can see that I’m okay.” I patted the empty spot next to me.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
He sat down next to me and I couldn’t help but stare at him. He was so handsome but looked so lost.
“What were you doing?” he asked.
“Trying to meditate. You know, you really should try it some time. You could stand to gain some inner peace.”
He gave me a frown and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“So is that why you do it, to gain inner peace?”
“That and other things. It makes you more grounded so you can live life more in the present.”
“Oh. I’m sorry I interrupted you.”
“It’s fine. Would you like some grapes?” I asked as I reached into the picnic basket and pulled out a small Ziploc bag.
“No. I’m good.”
“You don’t like grapes?” I cocked my head.
“I like grapes.”
“Then why don’t you want any?”
“Because I don’t.” His brow arched.
“Why? There has to be a reason. Aren’t you hungry? Even if you weren’t hungry, a couple grapes won’t hurt you.”
“Fine. I’ll have some grapes.” He smiled as he reached into the bag and took a couple.
“I’m still mad at you,” I spoke as I popped a grape into my mouth.
“Then you didn’t do enough meditating.” He grinned.
Shaking my head, I bit down on my bottom lip. “Trust me, I meditate every day, but you punched my friend for no reason.”
“I know and believe me, I will regret what I did until the day I die. I can’t apologize to you enough, Chloe. I’m sorry.”
I could hear the sincerity in his voice and see the look of regret on his face.
“Fine. Apology accepted.” I softly placed my hand on his.
He looked down at our hands and then at me.
“Thank you. It means a lot to me. Chloe, there’s something else I need to talk to you about.”
“What is it?” I asked nervously.
He looked away. “It can never work between us.”
“Why do you say that?” My heart started to ache.
“Because I could never give you what you need and deserve. You were right when you called me a monster. That’s exactly what I am.”
“No, Sebastian. I was angry. I didn’t mean it.”
“Whether you did or not, it’s what I am.” He removed his hand from mine. “I don’t want to make this harder than it already is.” He stood up and stared straight ahead. He couldn’t even look at me.
Suddenly, I felt a rain drop hit my hand.
“I better go. I’m sorry, Chloe. All I want is for you to be happy and being with me will make you more miserable.” He turned and began to walk away.
“Have you always been a coward?” I shouted as the rain started to come down.
“Excuse me? It’s really raining now. We should go seek shelter.”
“No. I’m staying right here. How many storms are you hiding from, Sebastian?” I asked as I stood up and stared at him.
“What are you talking about? Chloe, it’s raining and we’re getting soaked. We can talk about this somewhere else.”
“Have you ever heard the quote: Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain?”
“For God sakes, Chloe,” he shouted.
“If you wait for every storm to pass, you’ll waste time, and then you’ll have nothing to show for it, past or present. Your first reaction when it started raining was to run and hide from it. Why?”
“Chloe, I’m serious. I have no clue what you’re talking about. All I know is that we’re both standing out here, soaking wet!” he yelled.
“Tell me what you’re so afraid of, Sebastian! What happened to you?”
“Nothing. This is how I am! I’m not capable of emotion. I don’t cry and I certainly can’t love you the way you deserve to be loved!”
“Why? You saying you can’t isn’t good enough. There’s a reason you feel that way.”
He ran his hands through his hair as I watched him struggle to find the words.
“Tell me, Sebastian!” I yelled as loud as I could.
“You want to know why?!” he shouted as he walked towards me. “Because I don’t know how to love! I have never been loved by anyone my entire life. How do you give love when you never received it?!”
“What about your parents?”
“I never knew my parents.”
I nearly lost my breath hearing him speak those words. Everything began to make sense now. I walked closer to where he was standing. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I hugged him tight. It took a few moments, but he finally wrapped his arms around me. Slowly, we both sank to the ground as the rain poured down on us.
“I don’t want to lose you, Chloe. You’re the first person in my life that has meant something to me. But it frightens me to be with you.”
“I don’t want to lose you either and there’s no reason to be frightened.”
He broke our embrace and his eyes stared into mine.
“You deserve so much better.”
“I think that’s up to me to decide.” I smiled. “I know what I need and what I need is you.”
His mouth smashed into mine with such passion it sent me into another world. I’d missed him and his touch. br />
“If we’re going to do this, you can’t keep things from me.” I placed my hand on his face.
“I know and I will tell you everything. I promise.”
Smiling, I spoke, “How about we go back to my place and get out of these wet clothes?”
“I don’t have any dry clothes at your place.”
“Who said you need clothes? Clothing is totally optional at my place.” I grinned as I pressed my forehead against his.
“I think I like your place.” He smiled as he brushed his lips against mine.
We stood up, grabbed the blanket and the picnic basket, and headed to his limo. After climbing in, Sebastian grabbed my hand.
“How about we go to my place instead? I have plenty of t-shirts that would look adorable on you. Clothing is optional, of course. Plus, I have this huge bathtub that I think you’ll fall in love with.”
“Is it big enough for two?” I asked.
“It’s big enough for four.”
I smiled. “I think I like your place.” I leaned over and kissed him.
“Good. Because you’ll be spending a lot of time there.”
“Promise?”
He brought his thumb to my lips. “I promise.”
Glancing up, Eli gave me a wink through the rearview mirror. This was the start of something good—hell, something great—but Sebastian was going to take a lot of work.
Chapter 27
Sebastian
I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I still had to tell her everything, but that didn’t matter to me anymore. I wanted to tell her. I needed to tell her. Holding her hand, we stepped into the elevator and took it up to my penthouse. As much as I wanted to rip her clothes off and fuck her into oblivion, I had to take things slow. Telling her about my past was first priority as far as I was concerned.
Stepping into the penthouse, I led her to my bedroom and grabbed a t-shirt from the drawer.
“If you’ll give me your clothes, I’ll throw them in the dryer.”
“So are you going to show me that big bathtub of yours?” she asked with a grin as she stripped out of her clothes.