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Was it me? Was I not trying hard enough?
The man to my left got up and left, his seat filled almost instantly. Wasn’t a surprise, given how busy the bar was.
What was a surprise was the question the newcomer threw my way.
“Why aren’t you smiling?”
Goosebumps rose on my arms. I knew that voice. The cold, sneering tone. The hint of demand that made me want to drop to my knees.
I summoned my smile back as I faced Sebastian. He wasn’t dressed for a night in a club. With his deep navy waistcoat and tailored trousers, he looked more suited to an old-fashioned cigar bar. Even his curls, falling a few inches above his shoulders, seemed to fit a more vintage aesthetic. Couple that with his beard and piercing green eyes…yeah. Sebastian was the whole package. “Sorry, what?”
His scowl deepened and I bit back a groan. Why did he have to be good looking and an arsehole? The combination was my kryptonite.
Used to be. It used to be.
“You weren’t smiling.”
Handsome he might be, but apparently he wasn’t particularly bright. “People don’t smile all the time, you know.”
“You do.”
“How would you know?” His gaze was so intense it was like he was stripping me bare. “You’ve literally met me once before.”
“Everything okay here?”
River’s voice cut across the bar, giving me an excuse to look away from Sebastian’s too-perfect face. I smiled up at the grey-eyed bartender. “Everything’s great. Can I get a bellini?”
Sebastian snorted in derision.
I bristled. “Something amusing about my drink choice?”
“No. It’s sweet and bubbly. Precisely what I’d expect you to order.”
I had no idea why, but I got the impression Sebastian was mocking me. “I like peaches.”
Then his eyes locked with mine, the heat there unmistakable. “Oh, trust me. I’m a huge fan of…peaches.”
My mouth fell open. Was Sebastian…flirting with me?
Suddenly, the man in question jolted in his seat, his whole body tensing for a few seconds, like he was frozen. His expression turned deadly as he whipped his head around to face River. “You wanker!”
River was leaning on the bar, pure venom in his gaze. Mori had appeared from nowhere, also glaring at Sebastian. “Maybe you should leave.”
I was so confused. What was going on?
Sebastian looked like he was going to argue. Then Dagon, Dimitri and Lucky popped up on our side of the bar.
“Fine,” Sebastian muttered, throwing some notes on the bar. “Not like I want to spend time in a shithole like this anyway.”
“Wait.” My voice pitched high in alarm. “Why are you leaving?”
His gaze briefly met mine before darting across the others. “I’m not welcome here.”
He tried to pull away but I was scrambling to my feet. No. Sebastian wasn’t leaving. As far as I could see it, the man hadn’t done a single thing wrong. My hand slid down his arm, clasping his cool fingers. “No.”
Sebastian froze, staring down at my hand in his. I tightened my grip to stop him from pulling away as I addressed the others. “Why are you telling him to leave?”
It was like I hadn’t even spoken. Everyone was staring at the place where Sebastian and I were connected, various degrees of shock on their face.
