Chapter 52 Chapter Fifty-two
Lena’s POV
I flop onto the bed, curling myself into the sheets, letting out a long, frustrated sigh. My phone sits next to me, buzzing with notifications that I don’t care to check. Sebastian. My boss, my… whatever we’re doing, refusing to let me work while on a business trip. It’s absurd. I can’t help feeling like he’s deliberately keeping me from participating in the presentations tomorrow, like I’m just along for decoration. My chest tightens at the thought.
I pick up the phone when it buzzes again. His name flashes on the screen. “Sebastian?” I ask. “Your phone’s ringing.” No answer.
I jog down the hall to the bathroom, where he’s standing in front of the mirror, shaving, steam curling around him. I hold out the phone. “Here.”
He doesn’t take it, doesn’t even notice the display. But I catch a glimpse of the preview: “Munchkin”. My stomach twists. I don’t know why my heart lurches, why a wave of jealousy crashes through me, but it does. I drop the phone back onto the counter, trying to ignore the heat rising in my chest.
He finally finishes, wipes his face, and steps out, towel draped over his shoulders. His eyes meet mine, and a smirk plays at the corner of his lips. “You’re in a mood,” he says, voice teasing, confident.
I open my mouth to explain, but he crosses the room before I can finish, and suddenly he’s poking my side.
Tickle number one.
I flinch, trying to pull away. No response from him.
Tickle number two.
I roll my eyes, crossing my arms.
Tickle number three.
“Lena… what’s wrong?” His tone is soft, concerned, but there’s still a teasing undertone.
“Save it for your munchkin, alongside the four love emojis,” I snap.
He freezes mid-step, one brow raised. “Munchkin?”
“I saw your phone!” I burst out before I can stop myself. “The contact, the way it popped up—it just… I got jealous, okay?” My voice wavers, a mix of anger and embarrassment.
He blinks at me, incredulous. “You went through my phone?”
“I did not go through it!” I hiss. “I was just trying to hand it to you because it was ringing! But the preview popped up and—oh my God—I saw the way you saved the contact, and I… I reacted!”
The smirk is gone now. He studies me, jaw tight, a muscle twitching at the side. “You’re jealous… over my cousin?” His voice is incredulous but not unkind.
“Yes!” I shout, throwing my hands in the air. “I know it’s ridiculous, but I—”
“You’re dramatic,” he interrupts, low, dangerous, but with a trace of amusement. “And… honestly, I kind of like it.”
I flop back onto the bed, arms crossed. “This isn’t funny!”
He shakes his head, still smirking, but the tension doesn’t fade. “Fine. I’ll leave you to stew in your jealousy, then he leaves the suit.”
I collapse back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling, heart pounding. My mind won’t stop replaying the message, the contact name, the emojis. Every small detail twists itself into a thousand possibilities. Does he even care about me?
I groan, kicking the pillow across the room. I am so dramatic. But I can’t help it. I want him. I want him to care about me. And the idea of someone else—sending him something that looks like love? It kills me.
Hours later, I stare at myself in the mirror, smoothing the fabric of my dress for the hundredth time. The gown is midnight blue, hugging my curves just enough to feel confident without screaming for attention. The low back makes me shiver slightly, a mix of nerves and anticipation. Sebastian didn’t tell me what to wear, but I know him well enough—he’ll notice. He always notices.
I run a hand through my hair, adding the final touch to my soft curls. Makeup done, heels clicked into place, I glance at the clock. The chauffeur will be here soon.
And yet, I feel this tight knot in my chest—the residual tension from this morning. The way his phone lit up, the “Munchkin” and my own jealousy that made me act out… it still lingers. I shake my head, trying to remind myself: it was just a misunderstanding. But the image of him smiling at me—or maybe someone else—burns in my mind.
When the car arrives, I take a deep breath and step out. The driver opens the door, and the city lights reflect on the smooth lines of my dress, on the shine of my heels. I can’t help imagining Sebastian watching me like this, the way he always does when I dress up. My stomach flips, a delicious tension rising.
Inside the hotel, the lobby glitters with crystal chandeliers. I spot him immediately. Sebastian. Leaning casually near the entrance, dark suit tailored perfectly, hair just slightly tousled, hands in his pockets. But his gaze… his gaze is what stops me. Every man at the lobby could vanish, and I would only notice him. The way his eyes linger on me as I walk toward him—it’s like he’s drinking me in. My cheeks heat up, my heart thudding in my chest.
“Lena,” he says, voice low, controlled, almost predatory. “You look… stunning.”
I bite my lip, resisting the urge to lean into him. “Thank you,” I whisper, aware of how fluttery I feel.
Before I can step closer, a tall investor approaches, flashing a charming smile that makes my skin crawl. “Lena! I didn’t expect to see you here.” He extends his hand, eyes twinkling. “And with your boss, no less. Must be quite the challenge, traveling together.”
I shake his hand politely, keeping my back straight, my posture confident. “It’s a business trip,” I say carefully, “and we’re both here to finalize the business deals.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrow slightly, subtle but unmistakable. He steps closer to me, one hand brushing mine casually but possessively. My stomach twists in response.
The investor leans in, lowering his voice: “Still, I imagine being close to someone like him… must be fascinating.”
I glance at Sebastian, feeling the heat of his gaze burning into me. He’s silent, jaw tight, and I sense the jealousy radiating off him in waves. I meet the investor’s eyes, holding my ground. “We’re professionals. That’s all this is,” I say firmly, voice calm but sharp.
Sebastian’s fingers lightly brush mine again—just enough for me to feel him claiming me. “Exactly,” he says softly, eyes never leaving mine.
Dinner begins. The table sparkles with candlelight and crystal, but all I can think about is the way he’s watching me. His subtle glances, the way his hand finds mine under the table when the investor leans too close, the protective tension coiling in his shoulders. Every time he touches me, even briefly, my body hums in response, and I have to bite my lip to stop from leaning into him.
At one point, the investor comments again, leaning slightly closer. “You have incredible taste, Lena. And I’m sure your boss appreciates it.”
Sebastian’s jaw tightens almost violently. He doesn’t interrupt, but the cold flash in his eyes sends a shiver down my spine. I squeeze his hand lightly, a silent reminder: he has me, and I have him.
The dinner continues, polite conversation flowing, but the tension between us simmers beneath the surface. Every laugh I share, every word I say, is under his watchful eyes. I can feel the subtle possessiveness in how he leans slightly closer, how his hand remains close to mine. It’s frustrating and exhilarating all at once.
After dessert, we excuse ourselves. Sebastian’s chauffeur is waiting outside. The car ride is silent, the hum of the engine filling the space between us. My mind races. I want to reach for him, to smooth the morning’s tension away—but I hesitate.
Finally, unable to hold it in any longer, I speak. “About this morning…”
He turns toward me, dark eyes sharp. “It’s my cousin.”
I exhale, relief and lingering frustration mingling. “It rang… I was just trying to bring it to you. And the preview… I didn’t know…”
“I know,” he interrupts softly, leaning closer. “I get why you were jealous. And… it’s kind of hot, I won’t lie.”
I feel my cheeks flush. “It’s not hot. It’s confusing. And frustrating.”
He chuckles, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. “Confusing, frustrating… worth it.”
Before I can respond, his lips find mine. There’s no hesitation, no teasing, no argument—just pure heat and desire, everything we’ve been holding back since the morning. My hands clutch his shoulders as I finally let go, surrendering to the longing simmering between us all day.
The limousine glides through the city, the world outside blurring. The argument, the jealousy, the tension—it all dissolves in the fire of our kiss. My heart hammers, and for the first time today, I feel fully, entirely consumed by him.
He breaks the kiss just enough to look at me, breathing hard. “Lena,” he murmurs, voice rough, low. “I’ve wanted you all day… wanted you from the moment I left this morning.”
I smile against his lips, fingers threading into his hair. “I’m glad,” I whisper, voice trembling. “Because I’ve been wanting you too.”
His hands grip my waist, pulling me closer, and our lips meet again, hotter, hungrier, more urgent. The limousine becomes our private world, a cocoon where nothing else exists but us.