Chapter 268
Cecilia’s pov
I knew I shouldn’t have said it. It was petty and jealous.
But my mouth went straight from my heart without checking in with my brain.
Being caught between two mothers had me so on edge that I’d snap at anything.
“Don’t ruin what exactly?” Sebastian leaned down, his voice carrying a dangerous, seductive edge.
“Pretty sure even the CEO has to respect lunch breaks,” I said, pulling my leg free.
Sebastian braced his arm on the back of the couch, inches from my face.
“Miss Moore, did you skip lunch and go straight for the jealousy cocktail instead?” he murmured. “You’re serving full bitterness today p>
His breath was warm against my cheek.
I turned my head.
My lips brushed his. Barely. But it was enough.
That tiny spark?
Like blood in the water.
He was on me before I had time to think. I tried to pull back, but he was already chasing the contact.
“I wasn’t hungry for food,” he said low. “I was craving something sharp. Tangy p>
And then he kissed me.
He took possession of my mouth, his kiss demanding and hungry, destroying any rhythm to my breathing.
When he finally pulled away, I was breathless.
“Mmm. Tart and a little mean,” he said, lips still grazing mine. “Nothing like that to wake up the taste buds p>
My face burned crimson. My breath came shallow and shaky.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snapped, trying to recover some dignity. “I had jalapeño poppers for lunch p>
Sebastian smirked.
“Poppers, huh? Guess the spice went straight to your attitude p>
He leaned back in.
I sank my teeth in. He deserved it.
Cocky bastard.
I poked his chest. “If you don’t get up, the next bite will be right here p>
Sebastian caught my finger and pressed it to his chest.
“And the next one?” His voice dropped an octave.
I swallowed.
He guided my hand down to his abs.
“Maybe try here next? I know you like this spot, Cece p>
I yanked my hand free and flipped onto my stomach, turning my back to him.
“Can we not turn my office into an HR violation? This couch has been through enough p>
Sebastian dropped down beside me, resting his chin in the crook of my neck.
“Alright. Let’s be serious p>
I shifted uncomfortably. Since my body couldn’t maintain professionalism, maybe my words could.
“So you came in just to tell me to move to the penthouse p>
Sebastian nuzzled my hair.
“If you lived in the penthouse, there’d be no awkward mornings like yesterday. And you’d be safer p>
I really didn’t want to think about yesterday.
So of course, my brain skipped straight to this morning.
Bumping into Xavier? Yeah, just my luck.
He’s not begging to get back together anymore, but now he’s got a brand-new fixation: me, possibly being pregnant.
Great.His fragile ego’s about to combust. Again.
“Who are you thinking about p>
A cool voice cut through my thoughts.
I jumped. “I’m considering your proposal.” Technically true.
Sebastian didn’t push. “Have you decided yet? When you do, I’ve got something else for you to think about p>
Something else? That didn’t sound promising.
“Why not just tell me now? I’ll weigh both p>
Sebastian kissed my ear.
“Come to dinner at my place. My parents want to meet you p>
Me: [What p>
[His parents. Wanting to meet me p>
The way he said it? So damn casual.
It hit harder than any slap ever could.
“Cece?” Sebastian tapped my cheek, like checking if I was still alive.
I blinked. “Um… I’m not exactly… mentally prepared for that p>
Especially when your mother is out there scouting heiresses like she’s casting The Bachelor.
The timing of this dinner felt off.
Was it curiosity? Did she just want to see what kind of nobody had caught her son’s eye?
I didn’t want to go.
I’d had it with forced politeness and fake smiles in front of royal-type Lunas.
Like a rerun of a bad reality show I never signed up for.
Sebastian noticed my furrowed brow and obvious reluctance.
“You heard about my mother looking for some girl, and it’s bothering you, isn’t it?” he said gently.
“I won’t lie.My mom probably has someone in mind. But don’t worry. She won’t find anyone p>
“I just… I’m really not ready p>
Sebastian read the hesitation all over me.
It wasn’t subtle. I was practically broadcasting it.
“Then we won’t go yet,” he said. “We can talk about it later. Don’t stress.I told you I’d give you time p>
“Yeah… I’ll think about it more carefully p>
The sense of walking straight into emotional crossfire finally eased.
Sebastian stroked my hair.
“It’s fine. Take your time. We have plenty of time p>
I didn’t answer.
He glanced at his watch.
“Miss Moore, your lunch break is technically over,” he said with a crooked smile.
“But I’ll allow you two more hours of rest. Executive privilege p>
He pushed himself up and headed for the door.
I rolled over to look.
I only caught his back, but even that looked… disappointed.
Was he actually hurt because I didn’t want to go?
I stayed still, staring at the ceiling.
Something soft stirred in my chest.
I shut it down before it got worse.
What was the point of feeling anything?
His family wasn’t going to magically accept me just because I got a little sentimental.
Of course I didn’t sleep for two hours.
He made it sound so easy. Two hours of rest, just like that. As if my job would do itself.
Though, to be fair, he hadn’t rested either.
Sawyer told me he left the office that afternoon, alone.
Didn’t take anyone with him. Didn’t say a word.
He didn’t return until close to four.
Five-thirty.
I packed up my things and left my office.
I’d taken a cab this morning, so I figured I might catch a ride back with him.
I knocked and stepped into his office.
“Alpha, are you heading out p>
Sebastian’s eyes were on his screen. He looked up briefly. “I need another half hour p>
I crossed the room and stood beside him.
“Okay. I’ll wait. We can leave together p>