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ChapterEight
Paislee
Itry not to shiver at the raw hunger in Sebastian's eyes. Gulping, I look away from him, assessing the delicious meal on the table that wafts into my nose. This looks like I’ve been invited to a feast rather than a dinner. I can tell that it is going to be a three-course meal and I can’t help but wonder if I’m going to need to hire a personal trainer after this.
I look up at Sebastian whose eyes slowly peruse my face, that unrestrained hunger I had first witnessed is looking more contained.
“I am so glad you came,” Callie says with a wide grin.
I give her a wide smile that matches hers.
“I was lucky enough to be invited,” I say, stealing a glance at Sebastian whose eyes move slowly over the upper bodice of my gown and linger at my exposed chest and the healthy amount of cleavage. I suppress another shiver.
“I did.” Callie preens.
It is on the tip of my tongue to tell her that her father had indeed invited me, but I refrain. There is no way it's going to be cute of me to burst the little girl's bubble.
“Of course,” I say as I turn again toward Sebastian, unable to help myself.
Sebastian gives a subtle nod of approval, and my heart sings. I don't want to question why his approval suddenly means so much to me.
“So, how was your day?” He asks as he begins to ladle his plate with an appetizer that consists of Tuscan bread served with a delicious blend of spinach, artichoke, and cream.
“It was great,” I respond, mirroring his movement.
Even though I wasn’t brought up to eat full-course meals, I am knowledgeable enough to know how to handle myself in a setting like this.
“How was yours?” I ask Sebastian, who nods as he elegantly brings the dipped bread to his lips.
I watch his measured movement, my eyes running over his long fingers and that tanned sinewy forearm exposed by his rolled sleeve. There is something to be said about his confident movement, the way his fingers move, and his throat works as he swallows. I wonder briefly what it would feel like to press my lips against it.
A little shocked at my wayward thoughts, I blink, fighting a blush at the apparent amusement in his eyes. I have been caught checking him out. My cheeks burn and I look away quickly towards Callie, who has mercifully not paid us any mind. She is busy eyeballing the meal with obvious disdain.
“I don't think I can eat this.” She says to no one in particular, her face still riveted on the meal in front of her.
“You don't have to, honey,” Sebastian replies smoothly as if he had anticipated her words and a response ready. “But you like the bread, don't you?”
Callie nods after she tears apart the soft buttery bread and chews thoughtfully, as if she doesn't trust it to be delicious.
Sebastian seems to release a sigh of relief as we both go back to eating.
Contrary to what Callie says, I do enjoy the meal and find myself cleaning my plate ten minutes later. I look up to find Sebastian giving me a satisfied smile. I look away as I think of something to say. There is an obvious tension between us. One that feels like a build-up to something.
Sebastian appears to not want to do a lot of talking. He looks like he is more content with the intense stares he's giving me. Stares that make me acutely aware of the fluttering in my stomach and the way my pulse hammers each time those arresting eyes meet mine.
I think of what Meghan said.
Was this really an invitation to sample me?
Even though I want to believe that Sebastian's invitation is purely based on his desire to look after his daughter and understand her better, I cannot ignore the blatant interest in his eyes each time they lock on mine.
“So,” I begin, ready to lunge into a conversation. I have to say something, anything at all to take Sebastian's heavy stares off me. But I am interrupted by the arrival of someone dressed smartly in black pants and a button-down shirt, expertly balancing three steaming plates in her hands.
I get up quickly to assist the young woman whose hair is wrapped in a severe bun with a chef's cap over it. The smiling woman waves my help away.
“Don't worry ma'am, I've got this.” She tells me as she places the steaming plates of hot orzo in front of us.
I nod, my eyes widening when my stomach lets out a loud growling sound. I blush hard when Sebastian chuckles and Callie drops into a fit of giggles. It would seem that the appetizer, as intended, made me hungry.
