Page 61 of Bid For Me
His jaw tightens and he grips the steering wheel a little harder. “I disagree,” he says, his voice lower now, edged with frustration.
I keep my eyes on the road ahead, refusing to give him an inch. “We have a job to do, Seb. Let’s focus on that.”
There’s a pause, and for a moment, I think he might press further. But then he exhales sharply and leans back in his seat.
“Fine,” he says, his tone clipped.
When we pull up in front of the restaurant, Seb gets out first, walking around to open my door. His movements are smooth, practiced, perfectly gentlemanly. I hate it. I want the real Seb back, but there’s no time to dwell on that, as he leads me toward the doors, with his large palm burning the small of my back through my coat. It’s a calculated move, I know – one meant to sell the image of us as a couple. But it still sends a shiver down my spine, and I hate myself for it.
The restaurant is the kind of place that screams exclusivity. The kind of place where reservations are made months in advance, where the chandeliers cost more than most people make in a year.
A maître d’ greets us, his demeanor warm and deferential. “Mr. Sterling-Knight. Please follow me, your father is waiting.” He takes my coat and leads the way.
We’re led into a formal, private dining room that could rival the set of a period drama. The table is set with gleaming silverware and crystal glasses, perfectly crisp white linens anda centrepiece of fresh flowers. It would be beautiful if the air wasn’t thick with the kind of tension that comes from years of unspoken power struggles.
At the head of the table sits the man himself: Alexander Sterling-Knight.
He rises as we enter, his presence commanding, his tailored suit immaculate. His eyes are sharp, calculating, and when they land on me, I feel like I’m being appraised.
“So, you’re Elle,” he says, his tone polite but laced with something I can’t quite name. “Aiden’s sister, yes? Sebastian has told me...some things.”
I force a smile, channeling every ounce of composure I have. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Sterling-Knight.”
“Alexander,” he corrects, his gaze lingering on me a moment too long. A slight smile curves at the corner of his lips but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Please, join me.”
Seb pulls out a chair for me, and I sit gracefully, smoothing my dress as I settle in. He takes the seat beside me, his posture relaxed but alert, like a predator ready to strike.
Alexander sits back down, steepling his fingers as his gaze shifts between us. “I must admit, I was...surprised to hear about this engagement. You’ve always been so focused on…other business, Sebastian. But I suppose even you aren’t immune to love.”
There’s a faint edge to his words, a challenge hidden beneath the surface.
Seb smiles, the expression easy and confident. “When you meet the right person, you just know,” he says, his hand reaching for mine. He laces his fingers through mine, his grip firm but gentle. His fingers toy with the ring on my finger, causing the diamond to glint in the light. His father’s eyes fall upon it, his expression tightening.
I force myself to relax under Seb’s touch, letting my smile soften as I look at him. “Sebastian has a way of surprising people,” I say, my tone light and affectionate.
Alexander’s eyes narrow slightly, but his smile remains intact. “Indeed.”
“You work in retail, is that right?” he asks, his tone almost condescending.
“I own, manage and run an exclusive designer boutique,” I correct, keeping my tone even. “I’ve worked hard to build it up, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished.”
His lips twitch in something that might be amusement. “Commendable,” he says, though the word feels hollow.
Seb stiffens beside me, his jaw tightening, but he doesn’t speak.
The waiter appears, breaking the tension as he pours wine and takes our orders. I take a small sip, letting the rich, velvety flavor coat my tongue.
“So, Elle,” Alexander says once the waiter has left. “Tell me, how did you and Sebastian meet?”
I glance at Seb, a flicker of uncertainty passing between us.
“We’ve known each other for years,” I tell him vaguely, wanting to insert a little truth into our carefully concocted story. “But we reconnected more recently at one of his charity events,” I say smoothly, my voice steady. “We didn’t exactly hit it off at first.”
Seb chuckles, his thumb brushing against the back of my hand. “That’s putting it mildly. She told me off for being ‘impossibly entitled.’”
Alexander raises an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Did she now?”
I nod, my smile widening just enough. “I wasn’t wrong,” I say, my tone playful.