LEILA MILLER."What the hell do you think you are doing?" I hissed as Matt closed the door behind us, before pushing me into the nearest wall. I snatched my hand from his hold, or at least attempted to do so but his grip was firm, refusing to let go.He held my gaze, his eyes flaring with anger as he stepped closer to me so he was crowding my inner space, his jaw clenched. "The hell, Leila?" He gritted back, his voice octaves lower, the anger in it evident. There was this sadistic, almost possesive but beyond look in his eyes, almost like an obsession. His gaze dropped as he gave me a onceover, and i have never felt as disgusted by his look as i did in that moment. His eyes found mine again, and then he said, "So this was your plan all along huh?"My eyes narrowed, my hands clenched into a fist despite being in his tight grip. "What plan?""Do not make a fool of me, Leila," He chuckled, though there was nothing amusing about it. The chuckle died as soon as it came, and the same crazed
LEILA MILLER.My interaction with Matt left me not wanting to spend another minute in the event, I could not stomach the thought of it. But, I am well aware of its importance to Dylan, so I did not say a thing about it, and instead tried to mask my annoyance as I made my way back to the hall, instantly plastering a tight lipped smile on my face.Upon returning to Dylan's side, his eyes met mine, and his brows drew in, as if he could tell there is something wrong with me. His hand reached out, resting on the small of my back as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, "Are you okay?"I forced the smile on my face. "Yeah, I am fine." Dylan gave me a pointed look, one that showed he does not quite believe me, but he did not press it. Instead, he gave me a nod, and focused his attention back on teh current agenda that was being dicussed. Sebastian returned shortly after, but i did not look at him despite feeling his gaze on me. I kept my eyes fixed on the speaker, and ignored his looks. But,
LEILA MILLER.The surprised look that took over thier features all was priceless, I wish I had a picture of it so i can look at later on and laugh.But, I do not, and having Leon here to save me from having to go through interacting with the other is more than enough for me.I smiled, glad to have him here. "Thank you, Leon."He offered me a smile back, "It is my pleasure, Miss Reed. I apologize for the delay you encountered." His smile disappeared when he turned his head and focused his gaze on the receptionists who, instantly looked down. "Which one of you stopped Miss Reed?" He asked, his voice turning cold.The one that i did not speak to instantly pointed a finger at the one i was conversing with, eager to escape Leon's wrath. The culprit looked up, her eyes wide, almost pleading before her voice came. "Mr. Leon, i am really sorry. I did not know she was Mr. Salvatore's guest...I really did not...""I am not the one you should apologize to," He said, his voice as cold as his expr
LEILA MILLER.I was suddenly nervous, and I do not know why. The moment he walked in, his eyes found mine, and i could swear the air shifted as we held each other's gaze. His expression did not give anything away. It was guarded as always as he closed the door behind him, and then walked further into the office in my direction. There was this aura that accompanied him, something in the way he carried himself that made the air in the room shift, his eyes never leaving mine. I swallowed down a discreet lump, and then pushed myself on my feet as he reached where I am. My own expression mirrored his as he came to stand in front of me, and I found myself stretching my hand out. "Mr. Salvatore," I said, surprised by how calm my voice sounded despite my heart fluttering. Sebastian's hand took a hold of mine firmly, its size enclosing mine with its warmth as he shook it."Miss Reed," He acknowledged, his voice deeper than i remembered it--his eyes never leaving mine.A second longer passed
LEILA MILLER.As my meeting with Sebastian came to an end, he asked his assistant Leon to see me out, and that he will schedule our next appointment. I thanked him, and left with Leon leading the way out. I still felt Sebastian's gaze on me until i was out of the room, but i did not turn around, not in the slightest. But it was not just Sebastian with his lingering gaze, but that of his workers as well. The moment Leon and I walked out of Sebastian's office, the stares came once again. I could not help but wonder why they are staring at me like I just crossed some line that is not meant to be crossed.I got my answer when Leon, upon noticing the stares as well, offered me a soft smile and then said. "It is just that Mr. Salvatore never had a meeting with any woman in his office, at least, never alone." He explained.My brows drew in, lips tugged into a slight frown. I hummed, "Really?" I do not know why i found that hard to believe. Maybe because Sebastian looks like someone that wou
LEILA MILLER.I had zero idea what happened.The next time my eyes flicked open, a dull headache welcomed me. I closed my eyes, waited a few seconds for the headache to subside before peeling them open again. Confusion settled in my mind as i took in the unfamiliar room, my lips tugged downwards into a deep frown. The memories of what happened leading to me passing out flooded my mind, down to the last thing I remember before passing out.Sebastian. He saved me.I found myself sitting up, the duvet that was covering me falling to my laps as i looked around the lavish room that screamed anything but a hospital room. And if its simple extravagance did not confirm so, then the scent of him everywhere around confirmed the thought.I am not in his house...am I?Needing to confirm for myself, I pushed the duvet off me, and got out of the bed. There was a pink flip flop waiting, which i slipped my feet into before making my way towards the door in sight. Except, instead of the exit i was hop
LEILA MILLERI cleared my throat, releasing a few shaky breaths before tapping the answer button and then bringing the phone to my ear. "Hel--" I parted my lips to speak, but Dylan's voice came immediately, cutting me off before i could even utter the first word."Leila?" Dylan's voice came, rushed, almost as if he was starting to become really worried, or maybe he already is. "Leila?"I swallowed down a lump, then forced a smile on my face despite knowing he can not see it. "Yes, Dylan. It is I." I am surprised my tone came out calm when deep down, i am nervous as to how he would react.I heard him release a deep sigh of relief from the other end. "Thank goodness, Leila!" His tone tehn turned scolding, "Where have you been? I have been texting, and calling you all day. It has been hours since you went to that meeting and I have heard nothing from you. Did something happen?"I hesitated, weighing the options in my head before coming to a conclusion that there is no reason to tell Dyla
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA. I think I got the wrong impression of Leila from the very beginning. And I admit, I am at fault for how we ended up. But truthfully, I had no idea what Matt was doing to her. I have met a number of women that have all been after me, my influence, and my money that I thought Leila, my own mate was the same. I wanted to believe otherwise, I really did. But after seeing her with Matt, any doubts I had were thrown out the window. How was i supposed to accept that my mate, whom i was with the night before is involved with my nephew? What other explanation could there be other than the fact that she is two timing us both, using him to climb the ladder and get to me? I will also admit that I have regretted my decision over the past few months. I tried not to mull over it, but it is difficult when even my own wolf has been craving for his mate. I have always kept my desires to myself, knowing when to handle it and indulge others, but since finding Leila, even t
LEILA MILLER.My parents were not exactly happy to hear that I planned on going back to the city a day earlier than I said I would initially since I did tell them I would stay over for the weekend along with Dylan. Not to mention, he as well did seem to have his questions about why I would need to return instead of enjoying some quality time with them.But when I mentioned Gracie, they were convinced. My parents had met her once before—shortly after I had returned to them, she came to visit me once, and they clicked almost instantly. Dylan was not around then, as he had to visit a nearby pack to discuss some issues, so he has never met her. But I and my parents spoke nothing but good of her. So, despite his wariness towards the woman he has never met before, he seemed to be a bit more accepting of me spending time with her than someone else unknown to the family.So, he did not make a move to stop me by the time I decided to drive back to the city. He did mention that I should text hi
LEILA MILLERMatt left on his own, but the damage caused by him was left in its awake--exactly what he wanted.He had managed to instill the ideas in the mind of those that were present, ruining my reputation, and in less than thirty minutes, the news has spread round the office. I saw it in the way the workers stared at me when I am passing, in their hushed whispers in between themselves, and what they gossip to each other in the restrooms, unaware that I am there as well.But, I did not address it, there was no point in it. One, none of them can come to my face and say those words to me, and two, rumors disappear as fast as they come—especially since there is no concrete evidence as well.One thing I am grateful for however, is that Dylan was not back yet. His flight is scheduled for night time, so he will not have the time to come to the office much less, hear about what happened with Matt. Even though Matt should be the one worried if Dylan hears about it, I did not want to deal w
LEILA MILLER.My lower lip was between my teeth as I stared at Sebastian's card, the words circling in my mind. I wanted to throw his bouquet and card too, but something inside of me fluttered in ways I couldn't quite explain. But as I made up my mind, I let out a sigh, and the door opened just in time to see Kiana."Miss Reed?" She stepped in and said, "You wanted me to take the roses out?" with her brows drawn together as she gazed between me and the flowers.Dropping Sebastian's card back into the bouquet, I nodded and said, "And the lilies too." I stated that as I was determined to discard it.I would not be swayed that easily; the thoughts of what happened in the past came flooding in, strengthening my resolve.Kiana's confusion was evident on her expression, and I could understand why. She is someone with a simple mind and thought. To her, getting two bouquets is probably the best way to start the morning. To me, it is nothing but a constant reminder of what I was made to go thr
LEILA MILLER.Sebastian left shortly after breakfast, leaving me stunned by his sudden confession. I did not know what to make of it, or how to wrap my head around it really. Everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours seemed like a messy blur to me, almost as if it happened all in the blink of an eye—as if I am living a dream. After a while of simply sitting there staring at nothing, I decided to get up and get ready for the day. I am late already, and I hate being tardy. So, I made my way back to the bedroom, took a shower, and the changed into a work outfit of my choice. I did however decide on a high neck blouse, just to cover up the marks that decorated my skin. It took me less than an hour to get ready, and by the time I was done, i picked up my car keys on the way out before heading down to the underground parking lot where I got into my car, and then drove off to work. My apartment is not far from the office, just about fifteen minutes drive if there is traffic, an
LEILA MILLER.His words brought me out of the trance I was lost in for a moment, and then I blinked, my lips parted as I released a shaky breath. My eyes then narrowed at him, though I did not exactly push him away. "You did not answer my questions," I pointed out.He hummed, as if he was aware of it. And then, one of his hands went to my waist, slipping under the shirt so his bare hands touched my bare skin, and I found myself swallowing down a lump, suddenly beginning to feel hot all over again--and judging from the look on his face, he is very much aware of it. "How was your night?" He asked in that same husky tone. "How are you feeling now?"I sighed, but decided to answer after all. "I am fine," I said, trying to keep my expression blank. "But you need to leave," I said, "I have to go to work, and you do as well." I saw the time on the clock earlier, it already is past eight in the morning--making us both late for work.But here we are, acting as if we do not have work to head to
LEILA MILLER.I let out a sigh as I opened my eyes, only to be greeted by the faint glow of light peeking through the drapes. As I drew the pillow in my arms closer to me, I closed my eyes once again and let out another sigh of relief and satisfaction. However, I stopped when I smelled something.Taking another smell of the scent emanating from the pillow, my eyes sprung wide, and sure enough, it was Sebastian's... I was reminded of everything that had happened the previous evening, as though the aroma had opened the gates to memories that came flooding in almost instantly. From his picking me up from work to the fundraiser dinner, to dress shopping at Lerouxe, and even sleeping together.I clenched my eyes shut immediately, silently screaming in my head as I realized I had slept with Sebastian after all. Blood rushed to my cheeks as I buried myself under the pile of duvet before I realized there was no point in regretting really. What is done is done, and though I still feel like sma
SEBASTIAN SALVATORE DE LUCA.I caved into my desires after all. I was not sure what was the final breaking point for me exactly. Was it from being ignored by her throughout the night since the mention of Anastasia? Or was it when I saw her being hit on by that drunk man? I am not sure exactly, it could be it all to be honest.But as we sat in that car, on the way back to her house, I held onto the very last thread of patience I have before I would do something i definitely would not regret. Her scent was too strong, it was messing with my senses. I could not stare at her, I dared not to because by doing so I would be losing that bit of composure I have always prided myself in having.I could feel her gaze on me occaionally, but i forced myself to keep my gaze out there, exhaling a few calming breaths to myself. As much as it was torture itself, I still wished the ride was longer because way too sooner than I would have liked, the car pulled up in front of her apartment, and she stepp
LEILA MILLER.Not in the least bit able to think clearly. Sebastian devoured my lips so quickly that I had little time to respond, and I was forced to yield to his touches.The only thing that came to me in the hazy mess that was Sebastian was his kisses, his touch, and the way he made me feel hot and fuzzy inside. When I tried to kiss him back, I was unable to equal the passion of his kisses, but I was able to free my hands from his and wrap them around his neck.I knew that I should keep my distance, pull away, and keep him at arm's length, but none of those things mattered to me in this situation. I am not sure whether I was caving in because I am too caught up in lust, or whether my heart was starting to sway to him but I knew one thing for sure: I am craving his touch, intensely so.So, I melted in his arms, throwing away all those thoughts that were making me second guess the situation, and simply caved into the passionate kiss. Sebastian's lips finally left mine, allowing me t
LEILA MILLER With one hand holding onto the stranger’s hand, Sebastian pulled me behind him with his other hand, so his body was shielding me from the man. He towered over the man, his hand twisting his arm in a position that is certain to be anything but comfortable, judging from the look of pain that took over the man’s features. He was quick to start pleading, “Look, bro, I am sorry, I did not know she is with you. Please. Let go.” Sebastian twisted his arm further, and even I started to feel bad for the man because I cannot imagine my hand being twisted in such direction. I could not see Sebastian’s face, but when he parted his lips to speak, I could detect the fury in it. His voice had dropped octaves lower so only the three of us could hear, and there was a low growl in his voice that I knew his wolf is about to show. “Or what?” Sebastian repeated his earlier words to me, as he stepped closer to him, the man’s body shaking. And then I heard it. The sickening sound of b