Page 53 of Drawn Together

“Well, then count elephants. I’m sure that will work.”

Had Sebastian Moore just made a joke?

I turned again in my seat. I was uncomfortable.

“Can I lay my head in your lap?”

“No.”

Shit.

“Just for a minute, so I can stretch my legs a little,” I said.

It was true—I was uncomfortable. I had no ulterior motives.

“We’re on a private jet. There are six other very comfortable seats you can lie on without pestering me.”

“Didn’t you hear my story about the turbulence?” I asked, pointing at the dark sky. “If I go to one of the other seats, all I’ll be able to think about is that if we crash, I’ll die all alone, with no one by my side. I don’t want to die alone. I don’t know about you, but I think that would be incredibly sad, and that experience I went through as a kid…”

“For the love of God, okay, go ahead, lie down,” he said, losing his patience, and lifted the armrest between us. “Just be quiet,” he added.

I smiled. “Thanks, Sebastian, you’re a good guy.”

I rested my head on his thigh and curled into the fetal position in my seat. I was extremely comfortable, even if his leg was hard as a rock, but I didn’t care.

I lay there drowsily, unable to fall asleep. After about an hour in that space between sleep and wakefulness, Sebastian began to gently run his long and masculine fingers through my hair, from the roots all the way to the tips. I guess he thought I was asleep because I know he wouldn’t have done it otherwise. It was so soothing, I almost purred in my sleepy state as he brushed his hand over my ear.

Had I dreamed it? Had that really happened, or was it just a product of my imagination?

All I know for sure is that I spent the rest of the three-hour flight to Louisiana with my head in his lap.

And I enjoyed every fucking second of it.

My father’s driver, Peter, was waiting to pick us up at the terminal to take us home. He had always been kind to me and my sister, which was why I ran up to hug him when I saw him.

“I’m very happy to see you, Miss,” he said, formal as always. “And it’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Moore,” he added, looking at Sebastian, who held out a hand and helped him load our luggage into the trunk of the Mercedes.

As I sat in the back seat and Sebastian talked to Peter in the front, my mood gradually soured. It was something that happened when I knew I was about to see my father. Our personalities always inevitably clashed, and I had to try hard to make myself “bearable,” as he called it. I hated knowing that no matter what I did or said, I would always irritate him.

My home in Louisiana was ostentatious, but it was my only home, and I liked it, especially when my father wasn’t there. I smiled as it came into view, excited that I would soon get to ride Philippe, my beautiful horse, whom I adored and missed in equal measures. After the kidnapping, I’d been home for such a short time that I hadn’t been able to visit him. I was alsoexcited by the prospect of, after two months of having constant company, finally being able to do something on my own.

Peter parked the car outside the front entrance, and Rob, my father’s Saint Bernard, came bounding out to greet us. He was almost as big as a pony. When I was a little girl, he had been terrified of me, but we’d come to a truce when I turned fourteen and stopped trying to ride him. It was also around that time when my father gave me Philippe so that I would leave his poor dog alone.

I petted his ears lovingly, and then went inside to say hello to Lupita, who was waiting in the entryway to welcome me, as always.

“Hi, Lupe!” I said, giving her a hug.

“Oh, my girl, tell me you’re doing okay; tell me no one has hurt you again…” she said, pinching my cheeks to make sure I was alive and well.

Just then, Sebastian entered, carrying my suitcase and his small duffel bag. We both looked at him, and he held out a hand to introduce himself.

“This guy here is the one who makes sure nothing happens to me, Lupita,” I explained, smiling in Sebastian’s direction.

“Oh, young man, take good care of her, please. Trouble seems to follow Marfil wherever she goes.”

I frowned, but Sebastian laughed and nodded. “I think I know what you mean.”

I looked at the two of them, eyes narrowed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m a perfect angel,” I said, batting my eyes.