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“I was doing my job, Sebastian.” I remind him to no avail.
He leans in, elbows on the table. Those eyes impale me. “When I awakened from the crash and saw you staring back, I felt the spark. I know you did as well.” He smirks. “I think it’s what brought you back to my room every day even though my face looked like it had been through a meat grinder.”
I look away under the heat of his unrelenting gaze. “I was curious about you, I admit.”
His eyes narrow a hair. “About what specifically.”
Jeez, is he really going to make me say it? “The cops were so certain they’d be able to take you away. I mean, you have a reputation, Sebastian.”
He cocks a dark brow. “And this reputation didn’t frighten you away.”
“I like to give people the benefit of the doubt.”
He smirks. “I suspected that much when you helped me with my…dilemma.”
“No one was asking for it,” I explain. “It didn’t seem to be a critical piece of the case they were working on.” I look away. “So, why did you have it?”
“For protection.”
“From whom? You’re a legitimate businessman, right?” My hands are bracing the arms of my chair as if I’m ready to bolt if he gives me the wrong answer.
“Even legitimate businessmen have enemies who’d prefer to see them out of the way.”
“Fair enough, but why was the gun a problem? You have a permit for it, don’t you?”
“I’m a Russian national with dual citizenship, such things are a little more complicated for me. It was best that the piece not be discovered on my person.”
I nod, and then glance up as I see the waitress approaching.
We both turn as she brings our drinks. Sebastian hands her a few bills and places an order for appetizers and another round of drinks. When the waitress leaves, I lean in. “That was fast.”
He shrugs as if this is always the type of service that he receives. Well, sure with that kind of money and those killer good looks…
“So, Mr. Petrosky, tell me about your social life,” I say feeling emboldened. “There must be someone, or likely, several someones waiting for you. Hmm?”
“There is you,” he says softly placing his drink down. “There is no one else.”
I laugh again. “Come on, seriously. You probably have a brothel of eager women just a phone call away.”
Sebastian’s expression sours. “I couldn’t be more serious. I won’t lie, there was a time when such a thing as you describe appealed to me. But ultimately, I’m a businessman and look to partner with those who can be of real value to me to further my position. The women you describe are nothing more than ornaments or bobbles for the foolish. But you, Madison, you are extraordinary, of tremendous value.”
Normally, I’d try to laugh off such broad flattery, but something in his eyes warn me to think better of it. He’s serious, dead serious. I take a sip of my pear martini before responding.
“I hold myself in high esteem for many reasons.” I set my glass down. “But I’m curious as to whyyoufind me to be of such tremendous value.”
His grin slowly returns. “For starters, you chose to become a doctor, a highly esteemed field requiring great intelligence and perseverance. If that weren’t sufficient, you’ve decided to become a surgeon. That, in and of itself makes my case. But then you go and decide to specialize in cardiothoracic surgery,” his smile broadens as if he’s taking great pride in my accomplishments. He shakes his head. “You’ll hold life and death in your hands, Madison Graham. Forgive me if I’m a bit awed by that.”
I reflect his smile and can see his genuine admiration. “Sometimes I wonder what the hell was I thinking. You know, like why didn’t I go into obstetrics or become a pediatrician.”
“Because noble as those fields may be, you find them too banal,” his sapphire eyes twinkle at me as if lit from within. “You take the road less traveled because you are destined for greatness.”
Oh my God, did I just giggle like a schoolgirl? I take another drink to cover.
“Perhaps one could understand your single-minded determination and drive if you were less,” he gestures at me.
I look askance at him. “Less what?”
He chuckles. “You’re absolutely stunning. The kind of woman wealthy men seek to drape over their arm as a trophy. But you, Madison, you’d never condescend to that. You want it all on your terms.” He lifts his glass to me. “I admire that immensely.”
