Page 132 of Branded

He looks at it and smiles gleefully. “Thank you so much, that’s very generous.” He turns and walks away from the desk, and I look at Gia, who I think is less likely to pass out than she was a moment ago.

“Now, we won’t do that for everyone, but you’ll learn who’s going to cause issues and who will accept they’ve made a mistake. When someone accepts it’s their mistake, upgrade their room. It will get easier, you did well. Plug that keyboard in before we end up calling IT to find out why it’s not working.”

We both laugh and when I look up, a handsome man is strolling in through the main entrance like he owns the place.

“Mrs. Drake, may I have a word?” The low timbre of his voice sends ripples through me.

“Absolutely, you can. Gia, you’re doing well, call me if you need anything.” I pat the young woman on the shoulder and walk out from behind the desk, sliding my hand into his outstretched one.

“You need to rest.”

“I’m fine, Seb. A few more hours and we can go get supper and call it a night.” Our night management team has been carefully selected from the California resorts. A relocation stipend and housing made it very lucrative for some well-trained people to move to this resort. Sebastian and I know it’s in good hands when we aren’t here.

We ride the elevator up to the penthouse, and I lean against him until the doors open.

The dining room is lit with candles, and our meal’s already waiting. “What is this?” I ask as I turn to look at him.

“Happy anniversary, baby,” he whispers as he runs his hands over my bump. “We need to talk about something.” His words are ominous, and I don’t like the lurch in my stomach that can’t be explained away by the baby’s movements.

He takes an envelope off the counter and hands it to me before guiding me to a chair.

“Sebastian, you’re scaring me.” I open the envelope and pull out a document and look at it.

“We’ve completed our time together.” His voice is monotone.

“Okay? What are you wanting?” I frown and look back at the contract I signed two years ago.

“Are you staying?” He leans back in his chair, his face giving away nothing. His damn poker face is pissing me off.

“What the fuck do you mean by am I staying? I’m pregnant, I think the answer is pretty obvious,” I say, my voice rising.

“I need a yes or no, Lennox.”

“Fuck you, Sebastian,” I shout and throw the papers at him, before I stand and head for the door.

“Kathryn Lennox, don’t,” he says flatly.

“Don’t what?”

“Don’t even think about walking out of this suite.” He stands and pours himself a whiskey and takes a sip. Suddenly as if I’ve been hit by déjà vu I know what this is. “If memory serves me on a night very much like this two years ago, I offered you wine, and you chose whiskey. Now I’d love to offer you a glass again tonight, because as I seem to remember you were quite a bit more relaxed last time.” He moves to me and places his hands on either side of my stomach. “We’ll have to hold off on that type of beverage for a few more months.” He leans down and kisses me, with the taste of vanilla, caramel and the woodiness of the charred oak barrels still on his lips.

“Are you staying with me?” he asks huskily when he pulls away from me.

“Well, since you’re so charming, how can I say anything but yes?” I wrap my arms around him and kiss him deeply. “I’m staying with you, Sebastian, for the rest of my life.”

He drops to his knees in front of me and presses his mouth to the curve of the bump through my dress.

“Hi, baby,” he murmurs against the fabric.

“You’re ridiculous.”

He looks up at me, and the candlelight does something unfair to his face, softens all the sharp parts of him I fell for in the first place. “Two years,” he whispers.

“Two years,” I agree. “And you’re still terrible at delivering news.”

“I got the answer I wanted.”

“You scared the hell out of me first.”