Chapter 16 Art Of Seduction
Sienna
I could only gasp, the planned sleepover forgotten as I scrambled to bid Cole goodbye. “Maybe next time!” I called out, already half-running toward the car.
“Did you wait long?” I asked as I reached him. I was still feeling pretty prickled about my bratty exit earlier, but Sev was acting like nothing had happened, so I decided to play along.
“Since this morning,” he replied.
I stopped in my tracks, my jaw nearly hitting the pavement. He’d been sitting here? All day?
My heart did a stupid, traitorous skip, but his eyes were already narrowing as they darted past me toward Cole.
“I see you’ve made a friend,” he noted, his voice dropping into that cool, guarded tone.
I nodded, feeling a sudden surge of pride. I wanted him to know I wasn't just sitting around moping about him and Eli. “Yes. And he’s a great guy, in case you were wondering.”
“Is he now?” Sev said, giving Cole a brief, sharp nod before opening the passenger door for me. “Let’s go home.”
Cole just nodded, a knowing smirk playing on his lips as he jangled his keys. I hopped into the car, and Sev rounded the front to the driver's side.
Even as we started to pull away, I found myself twisting in my seat, waving through the window and biting my lip.
Sev waited. He actually stayed the whole time. I couldn't wrap my head around why.
“Don’t make it so obvious that you’re that desperate to see him again,” Sev commented, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
That’s when I realized I was still waving like an idiot even though Cole was now just a speck in the distance. I pulled my hand back and faked a cough, feeling the heat crawl up my neck.
God, I’m pathetic. The thought that he’d actually stayed for me was making me act like a complete klutz.
“Well, I do want to see him again. I actually had fun in class, and Cole was a massive help. His sister is already a healer, so he’s basically a walking textbook. He’s pretty amazing.”
I leaned my head against the headrest, feeling a rare spark of accomplishment. “I’m planning on visiting him at his house soon, too. A sleepover.”
“And tell me, do you intend to model your lingerie for him as well?” he snapped, his voice harsh.
The words felt like a slap. My heart thudded with a sharp, stinging hurt, and all the excitement I’d felt seconds ago drained out of me, replaced by a cold, white-hot anger.
I’d been genuinely excited to tell him about my day, to show him I wasn't just some useless "kid" and he was acting like a total…
I froze. A realization hit me. The sheer bitterness in his tone... the way his knuckles were white on the steering wheel... was he actually jealous? Or was I just feeding my own delusions again?
A slow, wicked smile started to tug at my lips. I started running my mouth, making sure every word was a needle.
“After all, Cole is charming. He’s adorable, actually—I noticed it the second we met yesterday. That ginger hair and those freckles? So attractive. I wouldn’t even mind doing him at his house onc—”
SCREECH.
Sev slammed on the brakes so hard I was thrown forward, the seatbelt digging into my chest. I should have been terrified, but instead, a rush of pure, dark pleasure flooded my system.
Is it bad that I’m enjoying this?
I bit my lip hard, trying to keep the triumphant grin from spreading across my face. Oh my God. Oh my GOD.
“What are you doing?” I asked, my voice feigning innocence. “Anyway, as I was saying, it was Cole who looked after me on my first day, so your suggestion isn’t entirely terrible.”
Sev didn't explode. Instead, he let out a laugh—a low, dark, and dangerous sound that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. He didn't say a single word as he shifted the car back into gear and kept driving.
I pouted, looking back out the window, but my mind was racing. Tristan was right. I just had to keep pushing, keep poking the beast until he finally snapped.
Once we returned home, I left Sev with a curt goodbye and bolted up to my room. Resting on my desk was a brand-new laptop, already set up and waiting. Sev definitely didn't waste any time.
I opened a blank document and started typing out every "Seduction 101" tip I’d ever heard from my friends back at the clubs.
I made a list, a literal battle plan, and I intended to check them off one by one. Satisfied with my notes, I headed downstairs to find the man himself. Jordan told me he was already holed up in his office.
I knocked lightly. “Come in,” he called out, his voice flat.
When I entered, his eyes remained glued to the paperwork on his desk. He didn’t even glance up when I started speaking.
“Uh… I wanted to thank you. For the laptop,” I said, hovering near the door.
“It wasn't a problem,” he replied simply, his pen never stopping.
I bit my lip, feeling a surge of annoyance. I was trying to pull off the “Triangle Method”, eyes, lips, eyes, but it’s hard to do when the target won't even acknowledge you're in the room.
“And... for waiting for me earlier,” I added, hoping the reminder of our tension-filled car ride would make him look at me.
“Don’t mention it.” Still focused on the paper. Still ignoring me.
That was it. I snapped. I marched across the room, planting one hand firmly on his desk. Before I could overthink it, my other hand reached out, my fingers hooking under his chin. I forced his head up, making him look at me.
The air left the room. My heart did a violent jump as his full attention, those piercing, molten gold eyes, locked onto mine.
He looked shocked, but there was something dark simmering just beneath the surface.
My gaze dropped to his lips. I remembered exactly how they felt against mine, and the memory made me ache.
I wanted him to stop being so controlled. I wanted those lips to ravage me, to finally make a mess of the "kid" he claimed I was.
The silence stretched too long, and suddenly, my bravado wavered. I started to pull my hand back, ready to retreat, but I wasn't fast enough.
Sev abruptly stood up, his chair screeching against the floor. Before I could blink, his hand was at the nape of my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair as he pulled me forward and crushed his lips against mine.