Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 27

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, Kingshire's first snow began to fall. The snowflakes grazed the glass with a soft rustle, melting into watery streaks that trickled down.

The buildings in the central business district glowed brightly, their lights blurring into hazy halos through the veil of snow.

The heating in the conference room was cranked high, leaving a thin layer of fog on the glass.

The snow was falling heavier now.

The traffic below moved silently, tail lights dragging into long streaks of red through the blizzard. Sebastian leaned down, his breath brushing against the crook of her neck, so hot it made her cheeks flush.

Audrina remained pinned beneath him, not moving.

She suddenly felt the urge to laugh.

What gave him the right to say that?

Just a few minutes ago, she had been thinking that this fish knew about the hook from the very start, yet was perfectly willing to bite.

Now, she was certain of it.

He wasn't just willing to bite; he wanted to rip the fishing rod right out of her hands.

She reached up, hooking a finger around his tie and pulling him closer. "Mr. Hawthorne, let me make this very clear. If you want to help me, that's your business. Whether I appreciate it or not is mine."

Sebastian didn't miss a beat. "Of course. I have no right to interfere with that."

Audrina was even more confused.

He said it with such casual confidence that it was impossible to find a flaw. And he certainly didn't sound like he was joking.

Her gaze trailed slowly up from his chest, past his Adam's apple, and stopped at the corner of his mouth.

Then, as if struck by a sudden bout of conscience, she relented. "Fine. I can't let you get the short end of the stick, either."

She paused, then threw his own words back at him: "If you need anything, come to me."

Sebastian's lips curved slightly as he pulled back just a fraction.

But then Audrina added, "However, you have to agree to a few conditions of mine too."

As soon as she said it, she felt a little guilty. Was she pushing it too far?

He was offering both his time and resources, while she was acting like a diva with all these demands.

But Sebastian was straightforward. "Such as?"

"You can't control me," she blurted out, immediately backtracking to soften it. "I mean... our private interactions will probably increase from now on."

The more she tried to fix it, the weirder it sounded.

She couldn't quite read his expression right now. It looked like a half-smile, yet mixed with something... she couldn't quite put her finger on.

Why was he practically throwing himself at her?

Audrina didn't ask.

She stood up, grabbed her bag, and walked alongside him.

Right before he opened the door, she grabbed his tie.

Sebastian was pulled down slightly, and Audrina planted a heavy kiss right on the side of his neck.

"Just sealing the deal," she smiled.

...

Layne had been standing in the hallway, staring at the conference room door for a solid ten minutes.

He didn't dare knock, he didn't dare walk away, and he certainly didn't dare imagine what was happening inside.

His phone buzzed. It was Carter Garrison calling.

"Layne, when is Sebastian getting here? I called his cell and he didn't pick up. What the hell is he doing?"