water immediately placed in front of me, grateful for something cold to drink.
Sebastian stares at me like I'm his dinner, and he hasn't eaten in days.
"You're making me nervous," I say, though that's only partially true. I can handle myself well enough, but something about him, about the way he looks at me, throws me off balance.
"I don't mean to. I just find you mesmerizing." He smiles. "Have you had any luck remembering more of our night together?"
"Some. The actual marriage part is still a haze, but I do remember meeting you and… other things."
"I want you to know, I wouldn't have married you if I'd known you were too drunk to consent. I would never take advantage of you that way. But I don't regret it either. "
His voice is intoxicating, but I need to change the subject before this goes too far. "I remember the tattoo, on your back. Of the stars. You said it was of battles lost. What did you mean?"
His face turns serious. "I'm an excellent surgeon. I'm not bragging; I've worked hard to become one of the best. But I'm not God. Sometimes… sometimes I can't save a child. When that happens, when someone dies on my table or in my care, I add a star to the tattoo. I need them to know they will never be forgotten. Not by me."
I can't remember how many stars he had on his back. Not too many, but enough. Each the life of a child he couldn't save. "What made you decide to become a pediatric heart surgeon?"
"My little sister was born with a bad heart. I wanted to fix her so badly, but as a child myself, I was helpless. The doctors at the hospital I now work at saved her life. My mentor, actually, was her surgeon. I knew then I wanted to do what he did. Now, it's my goal to put Sunrise Children's Hospital on the map as the leading hospital for pediatric care."
"Wow, that's quite a goal."
He smiles. "What about you? What are your life goals?"
"Nothing that impressive. I want Hitched to become the go-to party planner for celebrity clients. I want to grow big enough to franchise and create something truly lasting. I know it sounds shallow and silly compared to your life."
He reaches over the table and places his hand over mine. "You bring joy to people during the most memorable time in their lives. Your goals and dreams are just as important as mine. And I respect a woman who has ambition and knows what she wants in life."
His response surprises me. "Really?"
"Really. You have my respect Ms. Michaels. We are meant to be in each other's lives. I believe that."
With those words, he tugs at my heart in ways I don't expect. Too overcome with emotion to carry on our conversation, I excuse myself to use the restroom. I feel flustered, and I need to compose myself so we can discuss the business at hand: the end of our very brief marriage.
I'm alone in the posh bathroom, reapplying my red lipstick, when I hear the door open, then close with a click.
I expect another woman coming in to freshen up and am shocked when Sebastian is there in the reflection of the mirror.
"This is the ladies room," I say.
"I know." His voice is husky.
I put my lipstick away and turn to face him. "Someone could come in at any moment."
This does not get the desired reaction. He moves closer, hands gripping my hips as he gazes at me with a hungry look in his eyes.
"I locked the door. We have a few moments."
"For what?" Now my voice is thick with desire.
"For this." He lifts me onto the counter with an easy move, hiking up my dress to the very top of my thighs as he spreads my legs and claims my lips with his.
I'm breathless, needy, and in that moment, I don't give a flying fuck who might walk in or what people might say or why we're actually on this non-date to begin with. All I want is him. Inside me. Now.
His fingers move aside the satin cloth of my panties and slip into my wet and throbbing pussy. "I've wanted you since I left the hotel yesterday morning."
Has it only been since yesterday? It seems like so much longer.
"When I saw you
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley