Chapter 146
Cecilia’s pov
Grapes.
Oh God – the damn grapes.
I bolted toward the door like my apartment was on fire, only to freeze halfway there when I realized I was wearing nothing but a tank top and a whole lot of bad decisions.
I spun back around, nearly tripping over my own feet, and yanked on the first oversized button-down I could find – bonus points for it being inside-out.
By the time I opened the door, I was breathless and lightly sweating.
And of course, Alpha Sebastian was standing there like he’d been plucked straight from a Calvin Klein ad – leaning against my doorframe, eyebrow arched, expression halfway between amusement and suspicion.
“Were you… working out?” he asked, lips twitching.
“Yes!” I said, way too fast. “Exercise. Big fan. Great for the… lymphatic system p>
His gaze didn’t move from my wrinkled, mismatched pajama situation.
I followed it down and immediately regretted everything.
My eyes dropped to the bag of grapes in his hand.
I reached for it quickly, desperate to end this encounter. “I’ll take those. Thanks for bringing them by. You must be busy, so – “
He casually lifted the bag just out of reach, like he was playing keep-away with a toddler.
“Is that how you greet someone who hand-delivered produce, Secretary Moore?” His voice was smooth, with a dangerous edge of humor.
I swallowed hard. There was no graceful exit now.
“Please, come in,” I stepped aside, gesturing with what I hoped was professional courtesy.
Alpha Sebastian strolled into my apartment like he owned it, finally handing me the grapes. “Liam says they’re better chilled p>
I smiled through gritted teeth:You can keep your delicious grapes, thank you very much!
As soon as I reached the kitchen, my smile collapsed.
Don’t panic, I told myself.
Just treat him like a friend stopping by.
My palms grew slick with sweat. Much like my racing heart.
Five minutes later, I emerged with a glass of ice water garnished with mint leaves.
“Here you go,” I placed it before him.
Alpha Sebastian eyed the drink skeptically. “I’m not that hot, Cecilia p>
I screamed internally:Just drink it and don’t argue!
Outwardly, I smiled gently. “Would you prefer something warm instead p>
“This is fine.” He waved dismissively, then noticed me still standing. “Aren’t you going to sit p>
I sat down awkwardly.
When I’d furnished the apartment, I’d only thought of myself – one sofa and one recliner by the balcony.
Alpha Sebastian had taken the middle of the sofa, leaving me no choice but to sit uncomfortably close to him.
I launched into desperate small talk.
The weather. Seasonal fruits.
An in-depth analysis of Liam’s sour grapes from culinary, health, and even artistic perspectives. My English teacher would have been impressed by my eloquence.
By the time I ran out of words, my throat felt like I’d swallowed a desert.
Alpha Sebastian, meanwhile, sat across from me like a man with all the time in the world.
Just sipping his mint-infused water and watching me with those absurdly focused eyes – like I was a podcast he found mildly entertaining but wouldn’t rate five stars.
He offered the occasional “Mm” or “Interesting,” but mostly, he just let me flail.
Outwardly, I kept smiling like a functional adult.
Internally? I was screaming.
How long is he staying?
Do I have to filibuster him into leaving?
My vocal cords were on the verge of rebellion.
And then –
“Cecilia,” he said, low and intimate, like my name was something he’d just discovered how to savor.
I froze mid-sentence. Every hair on my body stood up like I’d been plugged into a live outlet.
Excuse me, what was that?
His voice had somehow bypassed my brain and gone straight to the “forbidden thoughts” section of my nervous system.
Then he leaned in.
Not dramatically, not even in a way that anyone across the room would notice.
But enough that I could feel the heat of him, the shift in the air, the ghost of his breath brushing my cheek.
He held out his glass.
“Talking that much must’ve left you parched,” he murmured. “Here. Have some water p>
My brain went blank.
That was his glass.
In the sudden silence, something dangerous unfurled between us.
I stared at his perfect lips, remembering their taste… my breathing grew shallow.
My palms were slick with sweat.
“I’ll get my own!” I bolted toward the kitchen.
I yanked open the refrigerator door and stuck my head inside, letting the cold air blast my overheated face.
Suddenly, a husky voice whispered in my ear,”Cecilia, what are you looking for in there p>
A strong, muscled arm reached past me as a wall of masculine heat pressed against my back.
He was so tall that if I went weak in the knees, I’d probably end up face-level with his p>
Legs p>
Waist p>
Abs p>
My mind was reaching boiling point as he continued to whisper in my ear, his voice deep as velvet. “Did you want water or mint? Should I help you p>
“Why so quiet?” he murmured.
“Has thirst made you mute?”His teasing breath clung to my skin.
When my heartbeat threatened to explode, when my brain had turned to molten lava… I whirled around.
Alpha Sebastian looked at me with feigned confusion, the back of his hand brushing against my flushed cheek. “Your face is so red, Cecilia. Are you alright p>
Our eyes locked.
Something snapped inside me. I grabbed him by the neck, rose on my tiptoes, and bit down hard on his neck before pulling back.
“Alpha Sebastian,” I growled, “let’s both show some restraint. Stop trying to seduce me p>
I pushed past him out of the kitchen.
I rushed to the bathroom, intending to splash cold water on my face.
Inside, I found the bathtub still filling, rose petals floating on the surface nearly blocking the drain.
I hurried to shut off the water.
A moment later and there would have been a flood.
After hiding in my room for a while, I emerged to find Alpha Sebastian gone.
That night, I tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep.
The sheets felt too hot, the air too stifling.
In my dreams, someone was kissing me – sometimes rough and demanding, sometimes gentle and teasing.
His lips traced every inch of my body; his lips were soft, his fingers long and sensual, turning me into a puddle of need p>
The next morning, I sat up in bed, staring grimly at my soiled and now dried sheets.
Recalling last night’s dream – though I couldn’t see his face, I knew exactly who the man was.
I couldn’t believe how powerful my hormones were raging.
I told myself this was normal! Nothing to be ashamed of! It happens to everyone!
I got up and changed the dirty sheets and underwear.
At the office, I’d barely settled in when I went to the break room for coffee and ran into Alpha Sebastian on my way back.
The man before me in his impeccable suit, cold and professional, seemed completely different from last night’s teasing wolf.
But I hadn’t forgotten a thing.
Seeing him, my hand trembled, nearly spilling coffee everywhere.
“Good morning, Alpha p>
“Good morning,” Alpha Sebastian nodded and walked into his office without pausing.
I exhaled in relief.
Beside me, Beta Sawyer whispered, “You know, the Alpha was out walking in the neighborhood last night and got bitten by a small cat p>
I froze in horror.
From the Alpha’s open office door came his voice,”Cecilia, please come in for a moment p>
Beta Sawyer quickly lowered his voice even more. “He probably needs you to accompany him to the hospital for rabies shots. Better hurry p>
I stood paralyzed, my face burning with mortification.