16. Sebastian
Chapter 16
Sebastian
I’m standing at the door, my eyes glued to Lil, basking in the sun’s rays at the pool. The past day and a half have been pure bliss, the two of us enjoying couple’s massages, sweating it out in the sauna, indulging in good food, and soaking up the sun. I can’t remember the last time I was this content, this at peace. She has always had that effect on me, calming the constant storm in my head.
I need more time with her. After yesterday, I don’t know what will happen when this weekend ends. Will she shut me out again, retreating back into her shell? I can’t let that happen. I need to find a way to—
“Son, are you even listening to me?” My father’s irate voice snaps me back to reality. Fuck, I forgot I’m on the phone with him.
“Sorry, what were you saying?” My eyes remain on Lil.
“I said, I got off the phone with Marcus. He’s worried about the merger. What the hell is going on?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to focus. “Dad, I told you I was taking the weekend off. Can’t this wait until Monday?”
“No, it can’t wait. You need to fix this, Sebastian. Now. ”
This is the worst timing. I want to enjoy every second I get with her, and a work emergency is the last thing I need. Luckily, she’s oblivious to my conversation, lost in her own world.
“Fine, I’ll handle it.” I hang up before he can respond. Why can’t he let me have this one fucking weekend?
Marcus. He’s on my shitlist now.
I make my way over to Lil.
She looks up at me. “Everything okay?”
“I gotta take care of some business real quick, princess. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Her lips part, and for a split second, I think she’s going to protest, but then she puts on her signature fake smile. “Okay. Don’t be too long.”
“I won’t.” I press a kiss to her forehead. Her skin is warm from the sun, and the scent of her coconut sunscreen fills my nose.
God, I don’t want to leave her. But the sooner I deal with this shit, the sooner I can get back to her. Reluctantly, I pull away and head back to our room. The door closes behind me, and I grab my laptop, already dialing Marcus’s number.
He picks up on the second ring. “I’ve been trying to reach you.”
“Yeah, well, I’m here now. What’s so fucking important that you had to interrupt my weekend?”
“It’s the merger. There’s been a complication.”
“What kind of complication?”
“The board is getting cold feet. They’re worried about the financials.”
“The financials are solid. We went over this a dozen times.”
“I know, but they’re skittish. They want more assurances.”
“Assurances? What the hell do they want, a fucking blood oath?” I can feel my blood pressure rising. This deal is critical. I’ve been working on it for months .
“They want to renegotiate the terms.”
“Renegotiate? Are you kidding me? We’re supposed to sign the papers next week!”
“I know, I know. But they’re threatening to walk.”
I bark out a humorless laugh. “They’re bluffing. They need this deal as much as we do.”
“Maybe. But we can’t take that chance.”
I sit down on the bed, rubbing my hand over my face. This can’t be happening. Not now. Not when I’m so close to having Lil back in my life.
“Okay, set up a call with the board. I’ll handle it.”
“When?”
I glance at the door, thinking of Lil waiting for me by the pool. “Now.”
I set up my laptop at the large office desk in our suite, the numbers from the merger swimming in my head. Marcus better not fuck this up for me. I’ve put too much work into this deal to let it fall apart now.
“Okay, I’m sending out the meeting invites,” Marcus says over the phone. “I’ll have the updated financials ready to share on-screen.”
“Good. I will go over everything in the meantime.” I hang up and scan the spreadsheets, double- and triple-checking the figures. There’s no room for error.
An hour later, I’m on the call with the board, my game face on. I lay out the facts, the projections, and the potential for growth. They nod, their skepticism fading while I paint a picture of the future we can create together.
“So, as you can see, gentlemen, this merger is a win-win for everyone involved. The synergies alone will boost our bottom line by 20% in the first year.” I lounge back in my chair, confident I’ve won them over .
There’s a moment of silence, then the chairman speaks. “Well, Mr. Barron, you’ve certainly given us a lot to think about. I think we’re all in agreement that this is the right move for both companies.”
“Excellent. I’ll have my team draw up the final paperwork as planned. We’ll be ready to sign by the end of the week.”
The call ends and I let out a long breath. Crisis averted. I hop on the after-brief with Marcus.
“Man, you really saved our asses. You’re like a wizard with these deals. Your old man would be proud,” he says.
I grit my teeth. “Listen, I appreciate the sentiment, but let’s get one thing straight. I’m the CEO of this company. I call the shots. Not my father.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line. “O-Of course. I didn’t mean to imply—”
“But you did. And it’s not the first time. I’ve noticed you running to my father every time there’s a bump in the road. That stops now.”
I hate having to play the heavy hand, but sometimes it’s necessary because I can’t have my own people undermining me, running to Daddy every time things get tough. I’ve worked too damn hard to get where I am, to step out of my father’s shadow. I won’t let anyone drag me back into it.
Fuck, the headaches are coming back. I need to get back to her. Need her sun-warmed skin under my hands, breathe in the trace of her coconut sunscreen mixed with chocolate. Need to lose myself in her.
I can hear him swallow nervously. “I understand. It won’t happen again.”
“Good. Because if it does, you’ll be looking for a new job. Are we clear?”
“Crystal. ”
“Alright then. Send me the final paperwork when it’s ready. I want this deal closed by Friday.”
“You got it, boss.”
A knock at the door catches my attention. Lil stands there, a plate of food in her hand. Fuck, how long have I been on this call?
“Hey, I gotta go.” I don’t wait for his response before hitting the ‘leave’ button.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Lil shifts on her feet, her eyes flicking to my laptop.
“No, it’s fine.” I close it, pushing it aside. “I’m done.”
She sets the plate down on the desk. “I thought you might be hungry. You’ve been in here for a while.” Please help me. She’s too adorable.
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
She tilts her head. “Everything okay?”
Now, yes. “Nothing I can’t handle.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“When have I ever wanted to talk about my problems?”
“You used to tell me everything.” Her voice softens on the words. “Before…”
Before I ruined us. I don’t want to hurt her ever again.
“I… I’ll leave then,” she says.
I reach out and grab her wrist before she can. “Don’t go.”
She pauses, her eyes meeting mine.
“C’mere, princess.” I tug gently, urging her closer.
She hesitates before stepping around the desk. As soon as she’s within reach, I pull her between my legs. I dig my fingers into the soft curves of her waist, relishing the feel of her and nuzzling my face into her stomach, breathing her in. Fuck, I’ve missed this. Missed her.
Her hands come to rest on my shoulders. “What are you doing? ”
“Forgetting,” I mumble against her skin. Forgetting about the merger, about my father, about everything that isn’t her.
She relaxes into my touch, and her fingers find their way into my hair, scratching lightly at my scalp. A low groan escapes me.
“Forgetting what?” she asks softly.
I tilt my head back, meeting her eyes. “Everything that isn’t you.”
She bites her lip, her eyes flicking between mine. Fuck, I want to be the one biting that lip. Want to taste her, devour her, make her forget every other man who’s ever touched her. Erase them all until I’m the only one she remembers, the only one she craves.
Her eyes mirror my desire, the need, but also the fear, the doubt. She’s still holding back, still not fully letting me in. It’s my own damn fault, I know that. I hate that I put that there, that I made her doubt me, doubt us.
I slide my hands up her sides, skimming over her ribs until I’m cupping her face. “I’m sorry. For everything.”
Her eyes flutter close. “I know.”
“Do you? Do you really?” I need her to understand, to believe me. To not pretend.
Her eyes open, locking with mine. “I want to.”
It’s not a yes, but it’s not a no, either. It’s a chance, a sliver of hope. And I’ll fucking take it.
I pull her down, capturing her lips with mine. She melts into me, her arms winding around my neck as she straddles my lap. I grip her hips, holding her tight against me.
This. This is what I’ve been missing. This connection, this fire that only she can ignite. I pour everything I have into the kiss, every ounce of longing, every shred of regret, every bit of love I have for her. Even if it’s only pretend from her side, I need this .
My hands roam her curves, reacquainting themselves with every dip and swell. She fits so perfectly against me like she was made for me. And fuck, she was. There is no other explanation.
I trail my lips down her neck, nipping and sucking at her pulse point. She gasps, her fingers tightening in my hair. I smirk against her skin. I still know all her weak spots, all the places that make her melt.
Her fingers tug at my belt.
I groan into her mouth, my cock throbbing almost painfully against my zipper, but I catch her hands before they can go any further. “Don’t.” I want this, want her, so fucking much it hurts. But not like this. Not when there’s still this wall between us, this gulf of doubt and regret.
Confusion flickers in her eyes. “But I thought…”
“I know what you thought. What I led you to think.” I brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “But that’s not what this is about. Not really.”
She frowns, uncertainty etched on her delicate features. “Then what is it about?”
I sigh, trailing my fingers along her jaw. “You. Me. Us.” I tilt her chin up. “I don’t just want your body. I want all of you. Your mind, your heart, your smiles, your tears. I want it all.”
Her lips part, surprise registering on her face. She wasn’t expecting this confession. Hell, I wasn’t really expecting it either. But it’s the truth. The last day with her has made me realize how empty my life has been without her in it. How I’d give anything to earn her trust again, her love.
Emotion thickens her voice. “Sebastian.”
“You don’t have to say anything.” I smooth her hair back from her face. “I know I hurt you. That I have a lot to make up for.” Regret gnaws at me. “I’m willing to do whatever it takes. For as long as it takes. ”
Tears well in her eyes. She blinks them back and presses a soft kiss to my palm.
I don’t deserve her kindness or her warmth. But goddamn, I want it. I want her.
“What do you want, Lil? Tell me honestly. No pretending or placating. What do you really want?”
She worries her lip between her teeth, conflict evident on her delicate features. When she finally meets my eyes, there’s a determination blazing behind those amber depths that steals my breath.
“You,” she says. “I want you.”