Page 77 of Bid For Me
The warmth in his voice, the quiet concern – it’s enough to undo me. I glance at Candy, who’s grinning like the Cheshire cat, and give in. I’m not annoyed he’s here, not at all. In fact, warmth is spreading through my chest at his unexpected presenceandhis kind words.
“Alright,” I say, standing and grabbing my coat. “Let’s go before you embarrass me further, Candy.”
She laughs, pulling me into a hug. “Call me tomorrow, okay? And don’t overthink everything. Just let yourself feel.”
“I’ll try,” I whisper, squeezing her tightly before letting go.
As Seb leads me out of the bar, his hand resting lightly on my back, I can’t help but wonder if Candy’s right. Maybe it’s time to stop overthinking and start letting myself feel.
The quiet hum of the limo engine fills the space, as Seb settles beside me, his hand resting lightly on my thigh. The warmth of his touch seeps through the fabric of my dress, grounding me, as I lean back against the plush seat. The night air outside is crisp, but in here, it feels safe – comfortably cocooned in the intimate glow of the car’s interior lights.
“Long day?” Seb asks, his voice soft.
I nod, my head tilting against the cool leather headrest. “You could say that.”
He gives a low chuckle, the sound soothing and familiar. “You did well today,” he murmurs, his thumb brushing small circles against my leg. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Candy so determined. Or you so stubborn.”
“Stubborn is my middle name,” I reply, my lips quirking into a tired smile.
Seb’s gaze softens, and he shifts closer, his arm slipping around my shoulders as I begin to sag against him. “You’re exhausted,” he says, concern threading through his tone.
I nod again, my eyelids growing heavy as the tension of the day slowly ebbs away. “I’ll bounce back,” I whisper.
But when we arrive at the mansion, Seb doesn’t give me the chance to bounce back. Instead, he’s out of the limo and at my side before I can even think about stepping out. The night air is brisk, but Seb’s presence is warm, steady, as he bends down and scoops me into his arms.
“Seb,” I protest weakly, but he just shakes his head.
“Let me,” he says simply, his voice brooking no argument.
I give in, resting my head against his chest as he carries me up the stone steps and through the grand entrance. His pace is unhurried, his grip secure, and I feel an unexpected sense of calm wash over me.
He doesn’t stop until we’re in our suite, the door clicking shut softly behind us. Gently, Seb sets me down on the edge of the bed, his movements careful, almost reverent.
“Stay there,” he murmurs, straightening and heading toward the en suite.
I watch as he disappears through the doorway, returning moments later with a warm, damp cloth and a small bottle of micellar water. He places them onto the bedside table, then hekneels in front of me, his hands moving to the delicate ankle straps of my shoes.
“You don’t have to do that,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
He looks up at me, his expression unreadable but his touch impossibly gentle. “I want to,” he replies.
His fingers work deftly, unbuckling the straps and sliding off one shoe, then the other. The relief is instant, and I let out a soft sigh as he sets them aside. His hands linger for a moment on my feet, his thumbs pressing lightly against the arches, and I almost melt under his touch.
When he stands, I expect him to leave the room again, but instead, he grabs the things he set on the bedside table, kneels in front of me once more, the cloth in his hands. “Close your eyes,” he says softly.
I hesitate, the intimacy of the moment catching me off guard. But his gaze is steady, reassuring, and I find myself obeying.
The warm cloth brushes against my skin, gentle and thorough as he begins to remove my makeup. The sensation is soothing, and I relax under his care, the day’s stress melting away with each careful stroke.
“You didn’t have to come get me tonight,” I murmur, my voice drowsy.
Seb’s hand pauses for a fraction of a second before resuming. “I wanted to,” he says simply.
When he finishes, he sets the cloth aside and leans back, his hands resting lightly on my knees. I open my eyes to find him watching me, his expression softer than I’ve ever seen it.
“There,” he says, his voice low. “All done.”
For a moment, neither of us moves, the air between us thick with unspoken words. I feel raw, exposed, but not in a way that scares me. Seb’s gaze is steady, his presence solid, and for the first time in a long while, I feel...cared for.