Dinner

I watched as Leonardo and Rebekah walked hand in hand into the sitting room, settling onto the sofa like they owned the place.

Sebastian had warned me earlier that we’d be having guests tonight, but I hadn’t expected them. My sister. The devil in human form. Since that strange, heated dream about Sebastian, I had done everything possible to avoid him, to keep my distance. But now, not only was I stuck under his roof, I was also forced to endure the presence of my dear sister.

I still had no idea how to escape this place. No idea why my father had sold me to this man. And now, here she was—my pretentious, venomous sister—undoubtedly here to spread her poison in my home.

Wait. My home?

I clenched my fists. Snap out of it, Rosita. You could never feel at home here. And you sure as hell could never have feelings for a man as arrogant as Sebastian.

“Hey, Rose.” Rebekah’s voice was sweet, too sweet. A calculated kind of sweetness that made my stomach turn.

I turned to face her. I’d give her one thing—she looked beautiful. Her fitted blue evening gown hugged every curve, the black flats a rare practical choice. Her high ponytail, flawless makeup, and confident stance made her look like the perfect picture of elegance. But I knew better.

She was a snake. A snake that had bitten me before.

“Won’t you give me a hug? Or don’t you miss me?” she asked, flashing a knowing smile.

I gave a tight-lipped grin, tilting my head. “I see you’re in good health. No need for hugs. I wouldn’t want to ruin your perfect dress or flawless makeup.” My smile sharpened. “Besides, you were never much of a hugger. Didn’t want to catch my so-called ‘disease of infidelity,’ remember?”

Her smile wavered.

For a brief second, I saw the anger flash in her eyes, the way her lips pressed together as if holding back a snarl. She hated being challenged—especially in public. And what better way to welcome her than to knock her off her pedestal?

“Enough, ladies.” Leonardo cut in smoothly, his voice calm yet firm. “Rosita, how have you been? My brother treating you well?”

Leonardo was polite. Too polite. Unlike his wife, he seemed… approachable. We hadn’t spoken much at their wedding, but now, looking at him, I could see the slight curiosity in his expression. Maybe even concern.

He was dressed simply—a navy-blue suit, a neatly tied bowtie, his hair slicked back with a few loose strands softening his sharp features.

I offered a polite smile. “It’s nice of you to join us for dinner, Leo. I’m well. And yes, your brother is treating me just fine.” My gaze flicked to Rebekah, my smirk returning.

Leonardo arched a brow. “Where is he, anyway? Did he step out?”

Before I could respond, a familiar hand slid around my waist.

My breath caught.

The touch was firm, possessive—a grip that had become far too familiar. My eyes darted to the side, and there he was. Sebastian.

Commanding. Unshaken. Dangerous.

He wore a crisp white T-shirt, the top few buttons undone, revealing the hard planes of his chest, faintly glistening as if he had either just worked out or showered. His black pants clung to his frame in a way that made it hard not to look.

I tried to pull away, but his fingers tightened, his nails pressing lightly into my exposed skin—a silent warning.

Damn him.

My dress, a black show-back gown adorned with diamond-stone details across the chest, had been his choice. He insisted I wear it, demanded it, because I was “his future wife” and had to dress accordingly.

If only he knew—I had no intention of staying long enough to fill that role.

“Hey, Leo,” Sebastian greeted, his voice as smooth as ever. His grip remained firm on me. “How have you both been?”

Leonardo stood, walking up to us with an easy smile.

“Hey, bro.”

Finally, Sebastian released me and embraced his brother. But even as he did, I could still feel his fingers on my skin, the phantom imprint of his touch lingering.

“You look well,” Sebastian mused. “Marriage seems to be treating you nicely.”

Leonardo chuckled. “Si.”

Sebastian rarely smiled, but right now, his lips curled into something real—an expression I’d only seen once before. At their wedding.

I took a cautious step away, but the moment I did, his hand found me again.

Seriously?

“How’s business?” Leonardo asked. “I’ve been too busy with my honeymoon to check in. I assume everything’s running smoothly?”

Sebastian nodded, the two of them launching into conversation. I barely listened. My focus was on his touch—how effortlessly he kept me close.

And then, just as quickly, he turned to me.

“We’ll be right back.” His voice was smooth, unreadable. “I have something to arrange with my wife-to-be.”

Leonardo smirked.

I rolled my eyes.

Sebastian led me away, his hold never faltering as he guided me into the kitchen. To my surprise, it was empty. Not a single servant in sight.

Something about the sudden quiet made my skin prickle.

“Hey!” I snapped as he cornered me against the wall.

My breath hitched. He was too close.

Too close.

His scent was intoxicating—fresh soap, warm spice, and something undeniably him. His presence filled the space, sucking the air from my lungs.

His smirk was lazy, dangerous. “Don’t test me tonight, sweetheart.”

I swallowed.

“There’s only so much I’ll tolerate. If I want you close, stay close. If I want you on my lap, stay there. If I want to touch you…” His fingers brushed my jaw, lifting my chin so our eyes locked. His breath was hot against my lips. “Don’t fight me.”

I shivered.

“You don’t want me angry,” he murmured, his voice thick with something dark, something dangerous. “Because if I get angry, darling, you won’t be able to handle it.”

The words sent a rush of something I refused to name through me.

I bit my lower lip, a nervous habit.

His eyes darkened. His thumb brushed my mouth, stroking slowly.

“Stop that,” he ordered. “Unless you want me to kiss you.”

I let out a shaky breath. Maybe I did.

Damn him. Damn this stupid, suffocating tension between us.

He leaned in, his lips hovering just close enough to tempt. “Behave, darling.”

Then, just as swiftly as he had cornered me, he pulled back, leaving me breathless.

I exhaled sharply.

What the hell just happened?

This was going to be one hell of a dinner.