Seduction in a Suit (The Sebastian Brothers)
By Margarette Grey
Free Chapters
Chapter 1
ELOISE If they gave out awards for being unlucky in relationships, I'd have a trophy case full of them. It was like I had a Ph.D. in heartbreak and a black belt in rejection. I couldn't entirely blame the guys, but if I had to place blame on something, it would have to be my issues. Jenna had set me up for a blind date at this exquisite restaurant in Midtown tonight. She told me this guy was a friend of a friend, and she'd been insistent in the past few days to the point where she was already bugging me. She had shown him my picture, and he became interested in knowing more about me. He'd already sent me flowers this morning, and I didn't want to be rude, so I decided to go so I could decline him politely face-to-face. What was his name again? I didn't even bother remembering. I finally arrived in front of the restaurant. I tucked away those unruly strands of my wavy red hair behind my ears, adding a touch of blush and lip gloss to complete the look. I paused momentarily, realizing I'd forgotten to put on my contact lenses, revealing my jade-green eyes. I didn't fancy them being green, so I usually covered them with brown lenses. I parked the car and stepped out. The place was definitely top-notch. The ambiance oozed romance with the soft piano instrumental playing in the restaurant. Maybe giving this date a shot wouldn't be that bad. I confidently approached the grand entrance. A waiter donned in a white shirt under a crisp black vest and a red bow tie greeted me with a beam. "Good evening, madam. How may I assist you this fine evening?" "I have a reservation under the name Eloise Walker." "Eloise Walker is expected," he confirmed, even without looking at a guest book. "Your reservation is a table for two. Will you be waiting for your company?" "No, I'm running late. My date should be here. I'm just going to look for him." I scanned the restaurant, and my eyes landed on a man sitting alone in the right corner near the window, calmly sipping his champagne. He was the only soul having dinner alone in the place. It had to be him. Just the sight of his broad shoulders and the impeccably tailored suit set my heart racing. "Of course, madam. Welcome to La Fantaisie," he said politely, allowing me to walk inside. Then, I almost hesitantly approached the man by the window, wondering how to introduce myself. Slowly, my field of vision began to reveal itself as I stepped closer. I gasped upon seeing him. He was breathtaking. Calling him beautiful would almost be an understatement. He radiated grace, sophistication, and a certain badassness if that's even a word, in how he carried his well-built and broad physique. Every feature on his face was impeccably proportioned. I had never come across a man quite like him. His golden complexion, coupled with his dark hair, was an exquisite combination. Even his nose appeared flawlessly sculpted. And his cupid bow mouth… so temptingly firm and rosy. His navy blue three-piece suit clung deliciously to his frame as if tailored exclusively for him. Every hair on my body stood at attention. God, he even resembled a magnificent scene from a romance novel brought to life. When he finally looked up and our eyes locked, his jaw tensed, and a scowl crossed his face. I nearly dropped to my knees. I hadn't noticed him rising from his seat, and I quickly sidestepped to avoid colliding with him. "I've got you," he spoke, his voice deep and inviting. He had caught me just in time. Did he realize I was on the verge of falling? Was it because of him? Mr. Suit steadied me and then resumed his seat before his food. He must be pissed. I averted my gaze to his plate, nervously biting my lower lip. Even just gazing at him sent electric tingles coursing through my inner thighs. I furrowed my brow. He was already eating. Why didn't he wait for me? Was it because I was late that he began without me? I took a seat in the vacant chair across from him. Usually, I waited for the guys to start the conversations, but this man… he was captivating. I cleared my throat. "Hi," I greeted. He paused, chewing on his steak. "Hi?" "I'm Eloise." I chuckled. "May I take your order, miss?" a younger waiter interjected this time. My eyes remained fixed on Mr. Suit's face. "Um, I'll have the same—" I swallowed "—as he does." "Right away, ma'am," he smiled politely before walking away. "I'm sorry for being a bit late," I confessed. Why was I the only one starting the conversation? "I can see that," he said glacially. Did I upset him? He avoided looking at me, yet he paused his steak-eating endeavors with a trace of annoyance. He grabbed a white cloth and gently wiped his mouth. "What's your name?" I continued. He sighed and adjusted his posture in the chair, straightening his back. "Adam," he uttered, his brows knitting together but never bothered offering a handshake. Well, I'd rather call him Mr. Suit. "Thanks for the flowers you sent me. That's very thoughtful of you." He raised an eyebrow at me but didn't answer. Oh, that wasn't a good reaction. He already looked disinterested and bored. Maybe he thought I was prettier in pictures than in person, so he changed his mind. I'd only had one serious relationship and some flings in my life, so I had already reached a point where I already knew when guys weren't into their date. "Alright, I think I should leave," I informed him. That's what I intended to do anyway. "Why? I haven't done anything." Finally, Mr. Suit smiled, and it was a truly heavenly sight. I returned his smile. "Well... you see, Adam, I'm not used to this. It's just that Jenna was so insistent." "This should be interesting," he interrupted, pouring himself a glass of champagne and another for me. "Don't worry, this one's on me," he assured. I nodded, grinning like a fool. "She told me that too." "Told you what?" He swirled his champagne glass and sniffed it. I bit my lower lip, observing the scene in front of me. How could someone drink so seductively? My phone suddenly vibrated, interrupting the moment. I excused myself and glanced at the screen. It was Jenna calling. Perhaps she wanted to know how my date was going. "Can I take this?" I inquired, seeking permission from Mr. Suit. He shrugged, letting me. I answered the call. "Hello, Jenna?" "Thank goodness you answered. I've been calling you for an hour," she exclaimed, relieved. I chuckled. "Relax. I'm fine. I'm already here. You didn't tell me anything about this guy," I said, looking at Mr. Suit, who was observing me with intense, captivating eyes. I quickly shifted my gaze. "What are you talking about?" She sounded surprised. "Where are you? We're already here!" "You're at the restaurant?" I furrowed my brow, confused. "Yes, damn it. Nick is already here waiting for you. Where are you?" "I told you, I'm already here. Jenna, don't bother me. This is the first time someone has stayed for over five minutes," I whispered into the phone. I bit my lip and glanced at Mr. Suit. He was staring at me inexplicably, but it was alluring and intense. "What are you talking about? Nick is here with me, and he was waiting for you half an hour ago," she said, clearly furious. What on earth was she talking about? Who cared if her date's name was Nick? "Look, Jenna. I don't know—" I began, but then it hit me. Oh my God! What if — I looked at the man in front of me. "You're not my date, are you?" He shook his head. "And you knew it?" He smirked. "Why didn't you tell me?" "Hello, Eloise? Hello!" Jenna was shouting on the other end. Oh my God, that was so embarrassing. My head felt as if it were going to burst. Maybe he was staring at me because he thought I was ridiculous. "There you are!" Jenna finally arrived with Nick. He looked… average. "May I excuse her for a minute?" Like me, she smiled at him with such sweetness, clearly star-struck. "Anytime," he responded. Jenna grabbed my hand and dragged me toward their reserved table.
Chapter 2
ELOISE “God, Eloise! What were you doing over there?” Jenna accused me incredulously and on the verge of laughing. “That was embarrassing, Jenna! Where were you? That guy out there made me a laughingstock because of you!” She burst into laughter. “Are you crazy? Did you really think I know a guy like him? I mean, just look at him,” Jenna continued to laugh. “I know, I know,” I sighed. “He’s hot. Want to go back?” “It’s not funny. Get me out of here, cover my face, do something!” I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry. Did you seriously think it was him? Oh, God.” She cleared her throat. “By the way, this is Nick. Nick, meet Eloise.” Nick seemed decent. He had a preppy appearance—polished and youthful. He wasn’t exactly the person Jenna had described. No wonder I mistook Mr. Suit for him. But honestly, I didn’t care anymore. Nick shook my hand and started a conversation. “Pleasure to finally meet you, Eloise.” I managed a half-hearted smile. “Likewise.” We settled at our reserved table, with Jenna sitting beside me. “So, Nick, tell me about this yacht of yours,” Jenna began while I remained silent. “Oh, yes! I’d love for you to come aboard and sail with me,” he said. I nodded, pretending to smile, but deep down, I wanted to go home. Jenna and Nick engaged in a conversation that flew right over my head. I simply listened and gulped on my wine. At one point, Nick tried to place his hand on my waist, but I evaded his advances. Unfortunately, I had to endure a pointless blind date because I had lost interest. Maybe if I hadn’t encountered Mr. Suit, I might have given Nick a chance. Oh God, but if this was the only way to salvage the earlier embarrassment, so be it. I would sit with Nick and engage in idle chatter. I stole a glance in Mr. Suit’s direction, still curious about him. He glared at me, his gray eyes piercing and intimidating, as if he were about to explode. He was sipping his champagne while his gaze remained fixed on the three of us. I averted my eyes when I felt Nick’s hand inching closer to my shoulder again. I quickly shifted my gaze to Nick, who smiled sweetly at me and rambled about incomprehensible topics. I looked back at Mr. Suit, only to discover he had left. It had been an hour since I was seated in the restaurant, and Jenna had already left me alone with Nick. Nick turned out to be quite indecent, and it became painfully clear that he had ulterior motives for being here. “I have a political science degree and secured a government position under a state governor. It’s a shame we won’t be able to exchange ideas about politics. What do you say?” he said, trying to impress me. “I’m not into politics, anyway,” I replied simply, taking a bite of my food. “But women these days have to be. Besides, you don’t look like someone who works in the film industry. You look... plain. Aren’t people there supposed to shine? What about your fashion inspiration? Is that the new trend?” he continued with his insensitive remarks. What? Plain? My blood boiled. What was wrong with wearing a shirt and slacks instead of a dress? “I just came from the office,” I explained. He shrugged. “But you look good enough with that ginger head of yours. It’s actually a fantasy of mine to have a girlfriend who’s a redhead. I had so many ideas about what to do in bed with you. How about we finish this dinner and invite me to your place? This night will be more interesting!” He took a big bite of his steak, gulped his wine, and loudly chewed his food like a maniac. I cringed. I had reached my limit. It felt as though he was purposefully pushing my limits. He’d already insulted me more than enough. I stood up abruptly. “Yes?” he asked, looking surprised. “I’ll just go to the restroom.” I excused myself, but I cunningly escaped from the restaurant. The room spun around me, and my vision blurred. I was so intoxicated that my body became a marionette beyond my control. Goddammit, Jenna! How could she leave me like that? That guy was seeking nothing more than casual fuck. I hadn’t signed up for that. Blind dates were now completely off the table. I should accept forgetting about the whole marriage ordeal. All my friends had tied the knot except for Jenna and me. Well, she deliberately chose the single life. She was a stunning blonde, and everyone loved her. She liked to revel in her singlehood until she reached thirty-five. She wanted to enjoy the freedom of being unattached. None of this would have happened if my ex-boyfriend had been honest, allowing me to move forward. Dear God, why was I even reminiscing about Chase now? He shattered my confidence. No, it wasn’t his fault. It was my stupidity. I lost him to a cousin—of all the people in the world. She was well aware of how deeply I loved Chase. I poured out my heart, expressing of marrying him. So, what did she do? What had I done to deserve such a betrayal? How could a cousin who is practically like a sibling steal my boyfriend? Heck, Zoey. She was the devil behind all of this! “It’s not my fault Chase chose me. Did you really think he could love someone like you? You can’t even take care of yourself!” Were those words really coming from a true family? But it had been six years since I cut them into my life. I went to Edinburgh to finish my degree, and I have been doing fine alone. Now, I had the best career in the film industry back in Manhattan, and I was paid well. But damn it. I heard Chase and Zoey were doing well in their careers now, and they were filthy rich. I was lucky I hadn’t crossed paths with them since I was back in New York last year. I stumbled through the parking lot, searching for my car. After finally finding that shiny silver thing, I clumsily rummaged through my purse for my keys. But, oh boy... I was about to puke, and it could happen any second now. There was no time to search for a decent spot. I puked right out of my car window. Ugh! Why does my life have to be like this? “Hey!” Suddenly, some guy appeared behind me, and I turned to face him. His face was unforgettable, like the definition of perfection. How could I ever forget? He was the sexiest man I’d ever seen. Mr. Suit, I called him in my mind. “What did you do to my window?” he blurted out, running his fingers through his hair. “I’m so sorry,” shifting my gaze back to the car—the silver, shiny Aston Martin my father had given me because he didn’t know what to do with his money. The pain in my chest grew stronger as it felt like the people I loved had abandoned me for selfish reasons. What the hell did I do so wrong? “Wait. This is my car,” I whispered. “This is mine,” Mr. Suit snapped, clearly annoyed. My head was pounding, and my vision was blurry. “Hold on, Mr...” I stumbled toward him, bursting into silly laughter. “Are you drunk? It’s my car,” I insisted, chuckling. “So you’re trying to tell me your car is an Aston Martin?” he smirked, mocking me. “Yeah! Dad gave it to me last year. Can you believe it? He pretends he cares, leaving me with this car and ten-million-dollar apartment I don’t need. What good is an expensive house and a car when you can’t even be there for your family?” I laughed uncontrollably, tears streaming down my face. Did I really spill all that to him? He let out a frustrated breath. “Let’s just say we have the same car—with the same color, which is strange, but you’re clearly wasted, so please step aside. What am I supposed to do with this?” He pointed at the mess on his window. “You’re quite the comedian, stealing someone else’s car. Is that your day job?” I laughed until I got dizzy from shaking my head. He caught me before I fell. I hiccupped. I needed to go home, and he needed to stop claiming it was his car. Another wave of nausea hit me. “Wait!” I blurted out and promptly threw up again. This time, right onto his vest. “Seriously.” He groaned, letting go of me and guiding me aside. “I’m so sorry. I can’t help it,” I mumbled, wiping my mouth. “This is insane,” he muttered. He removed his suit jacket, leaving only his white shirt and vest. “Stay still.” He pulled me back towards him, his hand wrapping around my waist, sending tiny electric bolts on my skin, and chivalrously used the suit fabric to clean my mouth, then wiped off the mess from the window with it. “Better?” I nodded. “Thank you.” “Now, what am I supposed to do with you?” He looked gravely at my face. “Please don’t leave me. I can’t drive.” I hiccupped again and giggled. “You’ll be the prime suspect if anything happens to me,” I crooned. “I just wanted to go home. I felt so sick.” He sighed and opened the car door. “Alright, get in.” I couldn’t refuse. I wasn’t sure if I could even stand anymore. My knees felt like jelly. I climbed into the passenger seat, and he slammed the door. Then he took the driver’s seat. “Where do you live?” “The Mondrian, East 54th Street,” I whispered. I heard the engine start as I slowly closed my eyes, realizing the car smelled like musk and sandalwood, completely different from mine, before I drifted off to sleep.