Page 75 of Secret Offer
I’m well aware that I could stand to shower, untangle my hair from its messy bun, and change into clothes that aren’t yoga pants and a T-shirt. But I’m not willing to pretty myself up for him. New fiancé or not, if he’s going to force me into this, he’s going to get me at my worst.
My stomach drops as it hits me full force.Fiancé. For all intents and purposes, that’s what Sebastian is now.
Swallowing hard and redirecting my thoughts, I motion him toward the front door. Grabbing my keys, I follow him out of the apartment and lock up behind me. He leads the way down the hall, and I make no attempt to walk beside him. I don’t want to get too close. No matter how I feel about him right now, being in his orbit always does something to me that I can’t control.
Honestly, the last thing I want is to go anywhere with this master manipulator, but it’s obvious he’s not going to budge until I agree to leave with him. Clearly, he’s used to getting exactly what he wants, and since he basically owns me now, I can’t exactly throw him out. I just want to get this little field trip over with so I can come back and finish packing. I wonder how long I’ll be staying with Brooke before Sebastian expects me to move in with him. Wherever that is. Maybe I’ll be on my own there while he works on the island, selling off other ignorant young women. It might not be so bad.
Especially since spending any amount of time with Sebastian will only serve as a reminder of how he snowed me into believing that he genuinely cared, that we had something real.
Tears burn my eyes, but I blink them away. I preferred it when I felt nothing. Seeing Sebastian has cracked me wide open all over again.
“Where are we going?” I ask coldly as we wait for the elevator.
“It’s a surprise,” he says.
I roll my eyes. “I definitely don’t need any more surprises from you.”
“That’s fair,” he says, sounding almost apologetic. “But you’ll find out soon enough.”
It’s growing dark outside as Sebastian leads me to a waiting black Town Car. The driver opens the door for me, and I duck into the backseat. Sebastian slides in beside me but keeps a respectful distance. I keep my gaze out the window, refusing to look in his direction.
The car pulls into the evening traffic. Sebastian and I don’t speak, but after a few minutes, I realize that we’re heading in the opposite direction of the stadium. Huh. I debate asking again where we’re going—I was so sure it was Rockets stadium—but I stick with giving him the silent treatment.
There are a lot of things I want to talk to him about, but I’m still too angry and hurt to attempt having any meaningful conversation with him right now.
The car turns onto the ramp for I-495 East, and a full hour passes in cold silence. I text Brooke and look for jobs on my phone, wishing I had brought a book with me. I had no idea we’d be taking a road trip. Finally, we exit the highway and I spy the familiar lights of Republic airport. It’s not for commercial flights, just business and recreational travel.
Where would we be taking a private jet to?
“I didn’t pack,” I say, annoyed. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?”
Whipping Sebastian a look, I realize that I already know the answer.
“To the island,” he says, confirming my suspicions.
But why? He already got everything he wanted from me. There’s no reason to drag me back to the resort. Unless he expects me to be his plaything now that we’re set to be married.
A spark of heat flares in my low belly, and I feel the heat rushing to my cheeks. Despite my undeniable physical reaction, I’m emotionally repulsed by the thought. If Sebastian really thinks he can force me into his bed, he’s in for a rude awakening.
The car pulls onto the tarmac and comes to a stop where a sleek Gulfstream jet waits. It must be Sebastian’s. He gets out of the car and waits for me to climb out after him, his hand gently pressing against the small of my back as he guides me toward the jet.
Once I’m onboard, I take a window seat, setting my purse on the seat beside me to send a clear message that I don’t want Sebastian next to me. He doesn’t comment, just takes the seat across the aisle. A flight attendant asks if I want anything to eat or drink, but I politely decline. Not because I couldn’t stand something to eat but because I don’t want to accept any of Sebastian’s “hospitality.”
Thankfully, I fall asleep on the short flight. A bumpy landing jars me from my nap, and soon after that I’m groggily following Sebastian from the plane.
It’s nighttime, but the starry sky is beautiful, and we’re greeted by the blissfully warm, slightly salty island breeze. It washes over me, drumming up bittersweet memories and emotions from the last time I was here. I know the best thing I can do for myself is forget everything that passed between me and Sebastian, but that’s easier said than done.
Another car is waiting to drive us to the resort, and once we’re there, Sebastian leads me to his suite of rooms. My heart pounds in my chest as my eyes stray to the king size bed that’s visible through the open bedroom door. It’s the only bed available, of course.
“What now?” I ask, sinking onto the couch.
Sweeping me with a brief gaze, he says, “Why don’t you go down to the boutique and pick up whatever you need? I already arranged unlimited credit for you there. I’ll order room service now so dinner will be waiting when you get back.”
Without saying thank you, I get up and leave the suites.
I’m absolutely exhausted as I go down to the boutique, but just walking through the familiar luxury of the hotel lightens my mood. So I have unlimited credit, huh? Unfortunately, there’s one thing Sebastian’s money can’t buy—a separate room.
There’s a handful of guests in the boutique when I enter. None of them pay me any mind as I browse the shop and pick out toiletries, some basic dresses, a pair of leather sandals, and a few other things to get me through. My heart isn’t into the shopping, but then I start looking for pajamas to wear to bed tonight, and a smirk curves my lips.
