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Chapter 21
Sebastian
I can’t imagine everything Stormy has been through. She is the strongest person I know. She’s been through more than I’ll ever know. It’s what gives her an edge. You can’t burn a woman who wears her pain like armor. I brush the hair from her face and stare at the beauty before me. Her lashes flutter as she sleeps, and I smile to myself. I like having her here with me. I don’t want her to leave, especially with everything going on. She’s safer here with me. Everyone knows where she is now, this isn’t going to blow over soon. I think back to her singing on stage last night, she was a natural. I wonder if she wants that lifestyle. My life is here in New York. I don’t know what I would do if she wanted to go on tour. She has the talent for it. She mentioned that she didn’t want to after Blaine’s death, but what if she would like to do that now? Could I let her go? My phone buzzes in my pocket and I groan. It’s been going off all day. I had to task Elijah with completing the arrangements for the funeral. There is just so much going on at the same time. I pull out my phone and see its Miles. I gently shift off the bed, leaving Stormy to rest. I cover her body in my blankets and walk to my door, shutting it behind me.
Once I get to the living room, he’s already hung up, so I call him back.
“Well, it’s about time you answered,” he barks through the phone.
“Calm down. In case you haven’t seen the news, I have been dealing with some shit today,” I reply as I sit on my couch.
“Yeah, I see that. Marcy called me.” I roll my eyes. Miles is always on my case about making headlines. “This woman you are harboring needs to go back to her place. She isn’t bringing good publicity to us.” I scoff at his remark.
“She isn’t going anywhere,” I growl into the phone.
“What the fuck is your deal? I know you, the forever bachelor, hasn’t caught feelings,” he taunts.
“Shut the hell up, Miles. Now isn’t the time to get into this. She’s staying here until she’s safe or maybe forever, who knows?” I cringe at my admittance. I didn’t want him to know because I knew he would give me hell. He told me when he met Lizzie that he couldn’t wait until I was in the same boat. Well, it didn’t take long for me to find that perfect storm.
“You have to be kidding me. You like her. You actually like her.” It isn’t a question.
“I do,” I reply, not wanting to add any more to that statement.
“Well, shit. She must be something special to have caught your attention. Does she feel the same way?” he asks.
“I feel like she does. I also know she doesn’t trust easy. I don’t know how to make her believe I want her,” I confess. I need my brother for this. He’s my best friend after all.
“Lizzie was like that in the beginning. I had toconstantly reassure her that I wasn’t going anywhere. She eventually came to believe it. This woman seems like she has been through a lot so don’t fuck with her if you aren’t one hundred percent sure,” Miles points out.
“How did you know Lizzie was the one?” I ask.
He sighs, “I just knew. It was this feeling inside me whenever I saw her or was around her. My chest aches when she isn’t near. I’m more in love with her today than I was yesterday. I’m in a constant state of amazement that she chose me. I can’t see a life worth living without her in it. That’s how you know,” He professes.
“You know, Stormy was the woman at the fundraiser that I ran in to. I was following her because I wanted to ask her out. I saw her across the room, and I knew I needed to meet her. Obviously, our first encounter was less than ideal. Even our second meeting was a disaster. Mary brought her in and hired her as my assistant,” I shake my head with a smile. I now know what Mary was doing. I just didn’t see it until now. She must have known we would be good together, if we were ever able to stop fighting. I continue, “But I have always had this pull towards her and maybe that’s why our emotions were so high every time we came in contact with each other. Even now, she gives me a hard time. She’s right there to put me in my place anytime I get too cocky.” I state, wanting to be with her in bed even more now.
“Dude, I didn’t know she was the same woman. It all makes sense now. I never knew you to blow up so bad. You’ve got it bad, don’t you?” he questions.
“Yeah, I do. Now is the hard part, getting her to believe me,” I utter.
“She needs to hang out with Lizzie. Sounds like the girl needs some people on her side,” he remarks.
“Yeah, she only has her roommate. Other than that, she has no one.” I shake my head. Sad for her.
“Let me talk to Lizzie and see when we can get together. Obviously, it has to be when things die down a bit. Oh, that reminds me of why I called. Wait, did you say she is your assistant?” He asks.
“Yeah, Mary hired her after she saw her getting fired for my actions. We literally ran into each other again on her first day at the company. It’s been an interesting battle ever since,” I smirk, thinking back to all our arguments. Even when we got in a heated debate, I wanted that fiery little vixen.
“Well, damn. We are going to have to send out a companywide memo about your relationship so there isn’t any sexual harassment allegations. I’ll get Elijah to do it,” he asserts.
“No. Absolutely not. He’s the one that should have a sexual harassment case brought against him for how he’s been making Stormy feel at work. She’s turned him down several times and he hasn’t taken the hint. I even addressed the issue, and he continues hanging all over her.” I seethe.
“That doesn’t seem like Elijah. Are you sure?” Miles questions and my anger boils over at the fact that I am being asked this.
“Yes, I’m sure, damnit. When did you start questioning me?” I growl.
“Calm down, Seb. I wasn’t questioning you like that. I just never knew Elijah to be anything but respectful. I will take care of him. I’ll need a detailed report from both of you to cover our bases. Send it toMary so she can file it away. I guess I’ll need her to get me a new assistant, too,” he chuckles. “So, back to the reason for my call. What are you going to do about the press?” I think for a moment. Stormy mentioned that she think her late husband’s family wants money. Maybe that will get them off her back.
“I have a few ideas. I’ll let you know if I need any help, but I think I have it under control. And Marcy is working on getting the police to patrol around here so they can’t camp out.”
