It’s the sort of smile that turns my knees weak and makes my pussy wet. It makes me wonder what sex with Sebastian would be like now. It makes me think it would be a whole lot better than the fumbling sex we had as teens when neither of us really knew our bodies or what we liked.
He doesn’t grace me with that sexy smile now though. Instead, he turns away the second he spots me and begins rushing through the lobby although his intention was always to leave the building, even though he was obviously heading towards the elevators.
Gary and Joe don’t seem to notice. Why would they? The lobby is busy enough that one person wouldn’t stand out to them. They wouldn’t be able to spot Sebastian through a crowd of thousands like I would.
We step out of the elevator and I know I have to go after Sebastian. I have to talk to him. I have to show him that I’m here for business and nothing more. I can’t let our history get in the way of this merger. Not when I have worked so hard to get to where I am now. And especially not when I recommended the Hunter’s firm as the best option for us.
There’s not many twenty-two year olds who can say they’re the CFO at one of the top accountancy firms in the city. In fact, there are none except for me. And I’m not about to let the history I share with Sebastian get in the way of that. I need him to know that I plan on handling this in a business like way; and I need to know he can do the same.
Joe has no idea I have history with Sebastian. He knows I know the Hunter family of course. I had to tell him that much to explain how they got on my radar when Joe starting talking about a merger. I know I should have told him about our history, but if I had, he would have pulled me off the deal and sent in someone else. Someone who hadn’t put the hours of blood, sweat and tears into the prep work. I’m not about to stand by and let someone else take my moment.
“I’ll catch up with you guys,” I say to Joe and Gary.
“Ok,” Joe replies. “Meet us back at the hotel. We’ll go over the figures one more time and Gary and I will quiz you on anything the Hunter’s are likely to spot and question.”
“Uh huh,” I say, barely listening as I hurry away.
The numbers won’t be what throws me off my game. I know numbers. Numbers don’t have added depths or unresolved issues. With numbers, what you see is what you get. They don’t lie or tell a half a story as long as you know how to read them, and I know how to read numbers a damned sight more than I know how to read people. It won’t be the questions that trip me up. If anything, it’ll be the person asking them. The person with the warm brown eyes and the smile that can turn me into a melting pot of lust.
I hurry across the lobby after Sebastian, cursing myself for wearing heels. I’ll have to call out to him. If he ignores me, then at least I know where I stand and I can prepare for a hostile meeting bubbling with old resentments. It’s the last thing I want, but if it comes to that, I can handle it. I’ve handled meaner guys than Sebastian in my time working for Benton, although none of them have had any sort of personal connection with me. I don’t know how I’ll fair really if someone who is such a big part of making me the person I am today truly hates me.
“Sebastian. Wait up,” I call before I can talk myself out of it.
He stops moving, but he doesn’t turn around immediately. I know what’s going through his head. He’s debating walking away, but he knows if he does that, I’ll know that he heard me and chose to ignore my shout. This is the moment I will know for sure exactly how hostile the merger is going to be. If he waits for me, there’s hope we can be professional and get through it. And if he doesn’t, then at least I’ll know to brace myself for a dirty fight instead of a peaceful negotiation.
I keep walking and slowly, Sebastian turns to face me. I feel the knot of tension in my stomach slowly begin to ease up a little. It’s still not going to be easy, but it’s going to be possible and for that at least, I am grateful.
Sebastian smiles at me as I close the gap between us. I feel my stomach flip and my pussy tighten as I look at him.
Dammit Kimberley, get a fucking grip. This is ancient history. It didn’t work out then and it won’t work out now. So be professional and nothing more.
“Hey Kimberley,” Sebastian says.
His voice is low, husky. And simply hearing him say my name makes my pussy wet. God I need to stop this shit. I’m not some stupid teenager anymore. I’m a grown woman with a real career and I need to start acting like it.
“It’s good to see you Sebastian. How’s things?” I say.
I’m relieved when my voice comes out sounding normal. I was half expecting it to be croaky or just die in my throat altogether. He doesn’t respond. He just stands there looking at me in amusement. What is so fucking amusing about this? Is he enjoying my discomfort? Most likely he is. I try again.
“It’s been so long hasn’t it?” I say smiling.
He gives me nothing but that amused look in return. Somehow, this is worse than being yelled at or ignored, both of which were potential scenarios I had prepared for. This cocky demeanour was something
