Page 38 of Branded

“No, thank you.” I smile politely. “It’s been a long day.”

“Of course. You must be exhausted from traveling.” Eleanor stands, signaling the end of the meal. “We’ll let you and Sebastian get back to your house. But I’d love to show you around the ranch soon. And as you’ve been told, the girls are desperate to meet you.”

“I’d like that.” Another lie, but a necessary one.

Sebastian is already at my side, his hand gentle on the small of my back, which he seems to find with ease every time I’m near him, guiding me away from the table. We say our goodbyes. James hugs me warmly, Nathaniel shakes my hand with quiet approval, Caroline offers a nod that might have been respect, and Walker claps Sebastian on the shoulder with gruff affection.

Eleanor escorts us to the door, and as we step into the Texas night, she catches my hand.

“Thank you for tonight,” she says quietly. “For handling Caroline’s questions with grace. For giving this family a chance.”

“Of course,” I answer, because what else can I say?

“Sebastian chose well.” Eleanor squeezes my hand once, then releases me. “I look forward to getting to know you better, Lennox.”

Then she’s gone, the door closing behind us, leaving us alone in the warm Texas darkness.

Sebastian’s truck sits in the circular driveway, and we walk to it in silence. I’m too tired to talk, too wrung out from performing for three hours straight. When he opens my door, I climb in gratefully, leaning my head back against the seat.

He starts the engine but doesn’t immediately pull away. Instead, he reaches over and takes my hand, his thumb stroking across my knuckles.

“You were perfect.”

“Was I?”

“You handled Caroline like a pro. Charmed Dad. Won over James. Even got Mom to soften.” He brings my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles.

I stare out the windshield at the palace lit up against the night sky. “Is that really all that matters?”

“For now, yes.” He lets my hand go and starts driving, heading back toward our ranch house.

We drive in silence back to his house, the lights of the main house fading behind us. When we crest the ridge and the original stone house comes into view, I feel something in my chest loosen slightly.

Sebastian parks and comes around to open my door, helping me down. I stumble slightly. He catches me, his arm around my waist, supporting me.

“Come on, let’s get you inside.”

We walk to the door together, his body warm against mine in the cooling night. Inside, the house is quiet, dim, welcoming in a way the palace never could be.

“I’m going to make some tea,” I say quietly.

“Go ahead. I need to make a few calls about the resort.” He lifts my chin and places a gentle, almost tender kiss on my lips. “I’ll join you in a bit.”

I nod and head toward the kitchen. I unbutton the high neck of the dress and roll up my sleeves. I’d kill for a pair of yoga pants and a T-shirt. The kettle boils while I find a tea bag, drop it in the mug, and head up to our room.

I don’t find yoga pants, but Sebastian’s T-shirts are massive, so I slip one on and climb into bed. My book is on the table, and I settle in and try to relax.

My tea is long cold and barely touched when Sebastian finally comes up the stairs and stands in the doorway, looking at me.

“Now this is a view I can get used to.” He smiles and moves toward the bed. His T-shirt has slipped off my shoulder, and he runs his finger lightly across it. The look in his eye is pure lust. I close my book and toss it onto the table beside me as he leans over and kisses me.

13

SEBASTIAN

Sun shines into the bedroom, and I groan at the intrusion. I reach over to pull Lennox to me, but her side of the bed is empty, and the sheets are cool. She’s been up for a while. I roll over and check my phone on the nightstand: 6:47 a.m. Early, but not unreasonably so for someone raised on a ranch. Morning chores start before dawn in this world, no matter what day of the week it is.

I see her through the kitchen window, standing on the back porch. We’ve been here a week, and she’s stayed close to the house. My parents were called to Chicago unexpectedly. They don’t go often, but whenever my mother needs to make an appearance, they do. I’m glad Lennox has been able to relax without my mother’s prying eye for the week. It’s given her time to settle in.