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His fingers, long and nimble, go to the keys, and he starts to play another song I recognize. “Desperado” by The Eagles was a favorite of my father’s. He’s the one that taught me to play, so I learned all the older songs he loved.
I feel a surge of nostalgia.
After a moment, I can’t resist joining him, playing the piano in a kind of duet. I don’t sing again, but Sebastian doesn’t seem to mind, he hums along beside me, picking out the notes, giving a rueful chuckle when he fumbles a key, until finally, the song ends.
The corners of his mouth quirk up in a ghost of a smile. “Aren’t you full of surprises?” he says, looking at me.
Too close.
“I could say the same about you,” I manage to reply. His closeness is unnerving to me. I can see the faint shadow of stubble on his strong jaw, and the crease of lines around his eyes that only add to his sense of authority.
“You have no idea.” Sebastian stands. “Now, go get dressed for dinner.”
“Dinner?”
“Yes. It’s a big night. I want you to look your best, Sparrow.”
I feel an uncomfortable jolt at his pet name, but I swallow back my reaction.
Play your part.
“Fine,” I say obediently, getting to my feet. “Whatever you want.”
Sebastian smirks at that, and I leave the room before he can see the anger burning in my eyes.
The longer he thinks that’s how this is going to go, the sooner he’ll show his cards.
4
AVERY
I take a long,luxurious bubble bath in the massive tub, then dress for dinner. I’m full of nerves, wondering what Sebastian has planned.
He wants to seduce me, that much is clear—from his lingering looks and suggestive words. And sure, I knew that, coming into this mission. My sexuality is a weapon, and I’m prepared to use it however I need to. But still, I don’t want to just be a one-night conquest that he discards in the morning. I need more than that, if my plan is going to work.
So how am I going to manage this, walking the line to keep him interested, but still giving him nothing in return?
It seems impossible. I’m not experienced in seduction, like the women I see in the Barretti world. They come and go from the club where I bartend: Brassy, confident women who are totally in control of their sexuality, hooking up with the guys, and walking away with a smile on their faces. Sure, I know enough to fake the same confidence, but underneath all that?
I have no idea what I’m doing with men.
I sigh, pulling on the white silk lingerie that’s waiting in a drawer. I pick out another demure outfit, this one a pale blue dress with straps that tie like ribbons on my shoulders. The neckline is high, and the skirt floats down past my knees. I look like a princess, a debutante virgin who has spent her life telling horny men ‘No thank you’.
The truth is, that virgin part is no lie.
I’m twenty-one-years-old, and I’ve never been with a man. Never even had him touch me the way I touch myself at night, when I close my eyes and sink into the velvet rush of fantasy and my own fast fingers. And sure, I’ve had my chances. Guys ask me out all the time. Hell, with the number of Barretti men hanging around, I’ve been fighting them off since I turned fifteen and filled out my sports bras.
But I waited. For Miles.
He was the only one I loved, the only one I wanted to share that part of myself with. I knew, one day, all the mafia chaos would be behind us, and we would be together.
But now that day will never come.
I feel a sting of anger. Because that’s another thing Sebastian took from me, when he drove Miles to take his own life. The future we could have shared together.
All my waiting has been in vain.
I cross to my purse, the small, glittered clutch from last night was the only thing Sebastian brought here with me. I’m sure he would have searched it, but I was expecting that.
