Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 58

About ten minutes later.

A black Cullinan turned the corner and pulled up smoothly on the opposite side of the crosswalk.

Sebastian opened the door and stepped out immediately.

Looking up, he saw Audrina standing right across the street, separated from him by nothing but a single zebra crossing.

Audrina spotted him too, their eyes locking onto each other from a distance.

The numbers on the red light ticked down second by second.

She stood directly beneath the streetlamp, the dim, amber light washing over her, wrapping her in its glow.

Sebastian's gaze traveled down her figure, ultimately landing on her feet.

She was bundled up in a thick winter coat, her scarf pulled up so high it covered half her face.

The tip of her nose was red from the cold, her hands were shoved deep into her pockets, and she was shifting her weight in tiny, shivering steps on a pair of high heels.

He knew it.

She wasn't injured at all.

Lying to him again.

The moment the light turned green, the man took long, purposeful strides across the zebra crossing until he stood right beside her.

Before Audrina could even open her mouth, her body was suddenly lifted into the air—

Sebastian had leaned down, hooking one arm under the crook of her knees and supporting her back with the other, scooping her right off her feet.

She instinctively clung to his shoulders, her fingers gripping his collar.

"... What are you doing?"

"Didn't you twist your ankle?"

Audrina nuzzled into his chest. It was so warm.

She didn't say another word.

Sebastian carried her back across the crosswalk, walked over to the passenger side, opened the door, and set her inside.

The car cabin was just as warm.

The heated seats and the temperature were perfectly set.

Audrina sank into the soft leather, the biting cold in her stiff fingers instantly enveloped by the heat.

Sebastian shut the door for her and walked around to the driver's seat.

"If you didn't want to talk to me, why did you come pick me up?" she asked.

Sebastian finally turned his head.

Beneath his thick brows and deep-set eyes, his nose was straight and sharp. The harsh lines of his jaw softened the instant he looked at her.

He stared right into Audrina's eyes.

Her gaze held a triumphant, teasing glint, mixed with absolute provocation.

He really hadn't wanted to talk to her.

Coming to pick her up was purely just to make sure she hadn't actually gotten hurt.

Sebastian tightened his grip on the steering wheel, ignoring her question. Instead, he asked, "Where are you going? I'll drop you off."

The light inside the car was dim. Audrina sank a little deeper into the seat, finally feeling like her whole body had thawed out.

She unwrapped her scarf and tossed it into the back with his coat.

Then, she leaned in close, wrapping her arms around his neck. Her red lips brushed against his ear, her hair tickling the skin of his neck.

With a soft, melodic laugh, Audrina whispered, "Your place."