Seeing him command the attention of Hardin and, even better, putting him in his place is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. The attorney skims through the vet records, grooming bills, pictures, and letters. He looks to Hardin like he’s disappointed he didn’t know all of this beforehand.
Without putting that matter to bed, Sebastian moves on to the artwork. His tone is impressive while his body speaks in a language that I’m dying to learn the dialect for.
Before I know it, we’re talking about furniture, pots and pans, and who paid rent on which month. Hardin’s attorney gets in some good lines, but Sebastian’s are better, smarter, poised in a condescending way, and the men on the other side of the table appear to be caught like deer in headlights.
Sebastian pushes away from the table and places a hand on my elbow to rise. “We’ll give you a few moments to digest this while I discuss something with my client.”
I follow him calmly through the fogged-out door and into the other conference room. As soon as it’s closed behind us, I start laughing and squealing, totally in shock at what just transpired.
“You’re amazing. I didn’t know you had all of those documents,” I state as my hands shake a little from all the nerves that have built up inside me, trying to make their way out.
His smile is big as he slides his hands in his pockets. “It’s called discovery. We have to make a case, even in the smallest of personal suits. I don’t like to walk into a room unprepared.”
“You definitely took charge of this. So, now what?”
“We’re just making him sweat.” He leans against the wall, cool and collected.
I glance over to Hardin. He’s definitely flustered. When he runs his hands down his face in frustration, I turn back to Sebastian. “Is this a normal tactic?”
He laughs. “This isn’t a normal case for me, so no. But I think they need a moment to realize that they have a weak case. Then, I’ll go in for the kill and close this baby up.”
“Do you think I’ll get my dog back?”
“I don’t lose.”
“Let’s hope not. Should we go back in?”
He lifts a finger and sways his head. “I’m on the fence about that. Something tells me Hardin will have an easier time, admitting defeat, if you’re not around. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who loses easily.”
I shake my head. “Most definitely not. So, I just stay here?”
“If that’s okay with you?”
Rubbing my hands together, I try to think of a reason why I should go back into that room. Sebastian has been nothing but wise in this whole endeavor. I’d be a fool to not take his advice. “I’ll wait here.”
He exits the room and heads back to Hardin and the attorney.
Sebastian’s stance obviously shows he means business. Seeing them talk without hearing the words is frustrating, yet there’s so much you can learn from watching someone’s actions. You can see their motivations.
Sebastian maintains balance, keeps his posture steady and his eyes locked. He looks like a warrior. A protector. And at best, someone who wants to do right.
Hardin cowers, throws his arms up in defiance, and curses under his breath while staring at the floor. He doesn’t want to give in, but I don’t think he has a choice, and he knows it.
Sebastian keeps talking, and Hardin’s hard exterior melts right before my eyes. A minute later, I see him close his eyes and nod. A blue-and-white paper document is slid in front of Hardin, who slams the top of the table with his fist.
Sebastian presses a button on a phone in the conference room. A woman walks in with a stamp. Everyone signs papers, the woman stamps them, and the next thing I see is Hardin standing, kicking his chair back, and heading toward the door.
Sebastian stops him by pointing his finger out to him in a stern manner. Whatever he asks, Hardin nods his head and then leaves with a huff.
Once he’s out of the room, Sebastian turns toward the glass wall with a grin covering his face. When he winks my way, my entire body melts even though he’s in a completely different room from me.
He exits through the same door, but to my surprise, he doesn’t head toward me. Instead, I watch as he leaves in a completely opposite direction. For a second, I wonder if I should follow him when Miles appears.
“Miss Morgana,” he says, getting my attention. “Please follow me.”
I grab my things with much more happiness to my step than when I got here and head to where he’s standing in the hallway. He grins before turning to lead me to my next destination.
I recognize the office we’re heading toward, and my stomach flutters with each step we take.
Miles stops just outside the door and holds out his hand, motioning for me to pass by him. “Mr. Blake is ready for you in here.”
“Thank you, Miles.” I smile politely as I walk by and stand just a few feet inside of Sebastian’s office.
When our eyes meet, he stares at me, not saying anything, but his eyes speak a book’s worth of material. They’re telling me he’s in his element. What he just did is what he loves and what he’s good at. But they’re also showing me just how much he’s missed me and, if I’m not mistaken, how much he wants to kiss me right now too.
Okay, maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
After a few seconds more of him not saying anything, I finally break the silence. “Well?”
He cracks his stoic expression with the biggest smile I’ve seen on him yet. “How much do you love me?”
I feel like I just tripped over a proverbial curb on a street. “Excuse me?”
“I got you everything.” He stands and heads to the other side of his desk, leaning back on it with his legs and arms crossed. The stance is so sexy because he seems so relaxed and pleased with himself.
Confidence is intoxicating on a man.
I playfully eye him. “What do you mean by everything?”
He raises his eyebrows with a slight tilt to his head.
“What did you want?” he asks.
“You got Lady Featherington?” I jump slightly with excitement toward him.
“And …”
“My painting?” I ask, cautious of getting my hopes up as I step closer.
“And …”
I tilt my head. “I didn’t ask for anything more.”
“He owed you money.”
Now, my eyes bug out as I move right next to him. “You got Hardin to repay me?”
“A man needs to pay his fair share in this world. He’s the reason you didn’t get your security deposit back, and he risked your credit being tarnished. He was a joint occupant with his mail being sent there for a year. You are entitled to reimbursement.”
“You’re my hero.”
“It took everything in me to waive the rights to any of the furnishings in the apartment, but I assumed the money was better. You can buy new and start over.”
I throw my arms around him with so much happiness. I’m beyond thrilled to be getting my dog and artwork, and the money is the absolute cherry on top. I’m squeezing him so intensely that the intoxicating scent of him invades my senses. Warm citrus and an earthy musk pour off of his neck, which is so close to my mouth that it’s dangerously inappropriate.