Page 33 of Innocent Salvation

“There was nothing overt, but there was an undercurrent of sleaze and slime about the whole set-up. I knew Dominique was as fake as a two-quid Rolex and Patrick made my belly crawl, but Lucinda was happy, so I played along.”

“Did Dominique ever say anything to you that made you suspicious of her motives or her son’s?”

Sebastian looked at her as if really seeing her and she fought the urge to go to him. An affection that had crept up on her so quickly she was blinded by it, wrapped around her heart for him.

“No, nothing obvious. She had lots of visitors, some I recognised and others I didn’t. A few of the ones I recognised made me wary of her. In my line of work, you learn quickly who the bad ones are. They have a certain veneer about them that is easy to recognise.”

“Is that what you saw in Patrick and Dominique?”

“Yes.”

“Then what?”

Sebastian closed up, his body turning to her against the backdrop of the rising sun casting him in light and shadow which made him look like he’d been painted by the masters. He was a beautiful man, not just his face and the body but the way he held himself, the way he could dominate a room, fill it with his mere presence. “I think it’s time for a bit of quid pro quo.”

“What do you want to know?” Snow itched to clap her hands between her knees but knew it showed weakness and now wasn’t the time to seem weak in any way.

“Why you? Why go undercover as my nanny? You could’ve found out so much more from being in my office or just pretending to like me. I would’ve fucked you long before now if you weren’t meant to be caring for Fleur.”

She knew he was lashing out to hurt her and it worked, his barb hit the mark making her wince. His eyes went dark against the dawn light, and she saw a flash of regret before he seemed to swallow it down like cheap brandy.

She could lie and tell him any number of things, but he deserved the truth if she was going to expect it from him. “Cheap shots are beneath you, Sebastian. I’m a lot of things but my body isn’t for sale for money or this job.”

Sebastian sniffed, showing his disbelief and she wanted to hit him, to wound him like he was wounding her. Standing, she walked to him where he stood at the edge where the patio met the lawn and poked his magnificent chest. “I wouldn’t fuck you if you were the last man on earth.” The lies spilling out angrily with each poke made her cringe, but she held fast.

Sebastian grabbed her hand, stilling it against his hard chest and she realised how close their bodies were. She could feel the hard press of his erection against her belly. His breath feathering her skin made her want to breathe him in and sink into the sensations she knew he could give her. Her nipples peaked like diamonds begging for attention and her core clenched with aching need.

“I could lay you out like a fucking picnic on this grass and feast on you until you screamed my name, and you wouldn’t lift a finger to stop me.”

“Your arrogance is not attractive, Mr Alexander.”

“That’s Judge Alexander and your lies are only believed by you, Ms Goubert. We both know if I was to slide my fingers inside your underwear right now, I’d find you soaked for me.”

Her clit spasmed, desperate for his attention for him to do the things he was saying but she held still, the moment so charged between them only they existed in this time.

“Are you projecting Judge Alexander?” Snow couldn’t resist shifting her weight just the tiniest fraction to rub against the length grazing her belly.

Nostrils flaring, Sebastian glared at her, neither willing to lose nor wanting to look weak.

She heard the back door slide open and took a fraction of a step back, but Sebastian’s hand stilled her movement, holding her where she was in a possessive move, she hated to admit she liked.

“Baby girl, the kid is awake.”

Reaper’s voice reached her, and she could have sworn she felt the rumble of a growl slip from Sebastian’s throat.

“Fucking Aussie.”

Snow ducked her head to hide her grin and turned from Sebastian to Reaper, who was wearing his own grin. “Thanks, we’ll be right there.”

Reaper walked back inside, and she went to follow.

“This conversation is far from over, Snow, and I will get my answers.”

Her step didn’t falter as she went through the door with Sebastian at her back. She knew the truth would come out, even if she wished for a second it could be shoved back inside Pandora’s box.

Chapter 14

After wasting an hour giving Fleur her breakfast and avoiding Snow, Sebastian knew he needed to speak to her team or whoever the hell they were and find out what they knew and what the plan was. After his initial relief at seeing her safe and the protective instinct that had come over him in the car, he’d felt the anger and betrayal creep into his mind until he was almost shaking with anger.