The Reluctant Heiress: A Novella(7)

“Damn,” I sigh, and laugh at Thea’s shocked expression. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my claws out of him.”

Tobacco and vetiver. Sebastian asks blandly, “Keep your claws out of who?”

He moves past me to hug Alex, then Thea. Lastly he turns to me, and I see the same watchful calculation in his eyes I glimpsed in those of my brother’s girlfriend. Jesus. Alex found the female version of his best friend.

“None of your business, Bellizzi,” I say, and make my escape. Michael meets me halfway across the room with a glass of wine. I take it and offer my hand. “I’m Candace, Alex’s sister. I think we met briefly at Hemlock’s opening.”

He nods, dimpling again. His brown eyes are warm and open, just a shade darker than his hair. “Michael Collins,” he says, clasping my hand. His grip is perfect, not one of those weak handshakes men sometimes give women. “I remember you. Nice to see you again.”

“You’re an architect, right?” I ask.

His eyes widen. “Good memory.”

“Near photographic, actually.”

“You don’t say? Is that a blessing or a curse?”

“It depends,” I say, smiling coyly. “So, are you helping with the remodel?” Alex bought the house primarily for the view of Sunset Cliffs, which Thea has a special love for. The sheer romance of it makes me gag a little. The place does, however, need serious updating.

Michael nods. “The kitchen and deck. The head of the firm, Matthew, is designing the rest of the house. Want to get some air?”

His swift redirection takes me by surprise, until I see his gaze flicker over my head. I glance back to find Alex, Thea, and Sebastian staring at us.

“Yes,” I say immediately, and follow Michael onto the back deck.

“That was… unsettling,” he says, laughing softly. “I take it your brother is protective?”

I laugh. “No, actually. Those looks were to warn you off me.”

His eyes widen and he takes a quick step back. “Are you an ax murderer?”

I laugh, but before I can reply, a dark voice says, “No, she just tears through men like tissue paper. And you, my friend, have caught her eye.”

I whirl on Sebastian. “What the hell!” I hiss.

Michael glances between us. “I’ll, um, leave you two alone.” He slips inside before I can stop him. Not that I have any idea what I might have said. Wait, don’t you want to be torn through?

Sebastian glowers down at me. “You’re out of control, Candace.”

I’m so fucking mad I can’t even talk. All I can do is glare at him and sputter. Sensing conflict, the occupants of the patio scoot inside.

I’m two seconds from flinging my wine in his face when he laughs. Laughs. And says, “Do you know that when you’re mad, the golden flecks in your eyes lighten? Like little daggers that might shoot out at me any moment.”

He catches my hand before I can throw the wine. Red liquid sloshes over our wrists. I gasp, having not been aware of my own intention.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The sunset gleams in his dark eyes, giving him a sinister aspect. “Don’t even think about it,” he whispers.

My anger fades, sucked down the drain of bafflement. “What on earth has gotten into you?” I ask, scanning his face. And me, for that matter?

His grip softens on my wrist. A thumb brushes over my pulse, making it spike. “It’s my turn, Candace. I’m sick of waiting.”

“Huh? Waiting for what?”

“To be inside you again.”

A volcano of lust erupts in my body, weakening my knees. My heart thunders in my throat. His eyes are so dark I can see myself in them. Small and pale.

A wave of fear grips me. Sebastian isn’t tissue paper—he’s a brick wall.

“No,” I rasp, then clear my throat roughly. “Sebastian. We can’t. Alex… and that’s in the past. Where is this coming from?”

I’m babbling but can’t control it. He’s staring at me like he wants to lick me from top to bottom. Or, knowing him, from bottom to top.

“Let me take you on a date,” he says softly. “A real date.”

I freeze, lightheaded with shock. From him, the simple request is a slap to the face. No—a sucker punch.

Eight years ago, naked and replete with me in a hotel bed, he’d said the same thing.

I’m moving out here next year, Candy. Will you wait for me? I’ll take you on a date. A real date. I’ll buy you flowers, dinner, whatever you want. Just promise me you’ll wait.



Tearful at the prospect of saying goodbye, I’d eagerly promised to wait for him. And I had. Even when, after a month, he stopped returning my phone calls. I waited seven long months, until Alex casually mentioned Sebastian’s new girlfriend.

“You’re a son of a bitch, you know that?” I ask him now.

I see the moment he realizes what he said—his eyes shift away from mine, expression pinching. I pull my hand from his and turn toward the balcony. Taking a long swallow of wine, I stare at the spectacular sunset. Orange. Magenta. Red and gold. There’s nothing quite like sunsets in Southern California.

“Candace—”

“Leave me alone,” I grind out. “We don’t need to air this dirty laundry. Ever. Just let it rest.”