Chapter 5

The next morning, Jane had rested enough and was eager to see what Stormbrooke had in store for her. After a hot shower in the small bathroom, she changed into some black slit pants and a grey tank top. She was strangely optimistic as she walked out of the room she'd booked for a week, until she ran into Mr. Stupid from yesterday.

He came out of the room opposite her and Jane couldn't help the moan that escaped her lips. "Aw, hell. Just my fucking luck."

He chuckled. "Good morning to you too." He said, nodding. "How was the night?"

Her left brow rose slightly in a disbelieving manner. He was being way too polite. "It was alright."

After a few heartbeats, "Aren't you going to ask me how my night was?"

Jane smiled humorlessly. "I don't care."

She walked past him down the narrow hallway, her heart beating as she heard his soft thuds following her. The hairs at the back of her neck stood on edge, and once again she was reminded how much sex appeal the man possessed. Hell, she sighed in defeat. Why did he have to go and be such a dick?

"Listen, I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to piss you off. I would've apologized but you left before I could get the chance to."

Jane halted in her tracks, angry because she couldn't stop smiling. Maybe he wasn't a complete dick. By the time she turned to face him, her face was the opposite of pleasant.

"Hm. Apology accepted."

The only sound he made in acknowledgement was a chortle. She turned her back to face him quickly because she could feel the smile coming again. Maybe chivalry wasn't dead after all.

The diner was almost full by the time they arrived downstairs. Jane was aware they weren't the only ones lodging there but there couldn't possibly be this many people. It was only a little after eight.

"Why do you have such a big smile on your face, love?" Jane looked up to see Mrs. Rose smiling at her from behind the big counter. The woman, along with her husband, Mark, owned the establishment. She was a small round woman who had a constant smile on her face which was actually very welcoming. Her own mother didn't see any reason to smile unless there were cameras around or they were out in public.

"Smile?" She hurriedly rearranged her features, giving the woman a stern look. "What smile?"

Mrs. Rose laughed softly. "Come on. I saved you a seat."

She followed her, feeling lighter than she did a few minutes ago.

"What about me?" A voice from behind her called.

Jane rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time since their paths had unfortunately crossed. She didn't answer, only kept walking.

"You can sit together. There's enough space for four people."

Jane face-palmed. "Great. Just great."

"Aw, come on. Don't be like that. I just apologized, did I?" He said, giving her an exasperated look.

"Doesn't mean I have to like you."

"Doesn't mean you have to hate me, either."

"Oh, fuck off."

Mrs. Rose served them the same meal of fried eggs and pancakes coated with a thick layer of honey. It was seriously uncomfortable, having him watch her eat. His honey brown eyes focused themselves on her lips and after a second, a pink tongue appeared to lick a drop of honey that stained the upper left side of his perfect lips.

Jesus Christ. Jane almost moaned out loud. Was he doing that on purpose?

"Why do you keep staring at me?" She asked him sharply.

"What's your name?"

"What's yours?"

His chest heaved with a heavy breath. After a few moments of intensely staring at her, he pushed away from the table, crossing his bulging arms over his broad chest. "Sebastian."

Sebastian. Jane smiled inwardly. Even his name was sexy.

"What, no last name?"

"Just Sebastian."

Weird, but okay.

"I'm Jane. Just Jane."

"Okay, Just Jane. What's your problem with me?"

Jane paused, searching for an answer. It wasn't the question she'd been expecting so it took her a while to find the right answer. Other than the fact that he stole her food and ruined her dinner which he'd already apologized for, there was really nothing she could say.

She sighed, giving in. "Nothing, I'm sorry. I've just had a really long week."

"Same here. I can understand that." He resumed eating. "What's your plan for today?"

Jane didn't know. She'd only been in town for a few hours. She'd thought of going back to the store but she couldn't do that every day for two weeks.

"I was thinking about getting a job since I'm gonna be around for a while."

"You should ask Mrs. Rose. She knows everyone. She helped me get a job at the beach yesterday."

"Really?"

He nodded because his mouth was full.

"Great. Maybe I'll ask her then." Jane agreed, thinking maybe Sebastian wasn't all that bad when he actually wanted to be. A hand reached out to grab a honey-coated pancake. "What do you do at the beach?"

"Other than take off my shirt so women can be blessed?"

Jane rolled her eyes, chuckling at his vanity. "Get over yourself."

"Would you rather I get over you?"

She gave him a blank look. "You're so full of yourself, aren't you?"

"Would you rather be full of me?"

The laugh Jane let out was hovering between a yell and a bellow. She hadn't expected it, and it let out before she could stop herself. "You're ridiculous."

"You're beautiful when you laugh." He was staring at her. Jane was sure her cheeks were on fire.

"You should come with me to the beach today. I'm a lifeguard. It's fun, plus I get to act as a knight in watery armor and save pretty women in distress."

His not-so-subtle change of subject was appreciated. "Not my idea of fun but sure, why not?"