Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 81

Audrina rested her chin on her hand, a radiant smile on her lips as she watched him. Her other hand slipped under the table, coming to rest on the man's thigh before giving it a light pinch.

Sebastian's grip on his glass faltered, sloshing a tiny bit of water over the rim.

He glanced down, a rare softness touching his features. His gaze lingered on her face for a split second before he casually resumed drinking.

He let her have her fun.

Willow took in their blatant flirting, feeling a shiver of secondhand embarrassment run down her spine.

Then, without warning, she turned to Sebastian. "Is Mr. Hawthorne serious?"

She asked the question with absolute sincerity.

Audrina, however, looked completely unfazed.

Serious? She had never even entertained the word.

Right now, it was just fun. She liked the thrill of it, and it came with zero strings attached.

Though, occasionally, her mind would drift back to that spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks display.

Sebastian's expression sobered.

His profile was sharp and unyielding, his high nose bridge and the innate, aloof elegance of his features exuding a natural authority.

Yet, when he turned his head to look at Audrina, his gaze was dark and scaldingly intense.

His voice was completely level, but carried a heavy weight. "Whether I'm serious or not isn't something that can be proven just with words."

"Fair enough," Willow nodded. "What I mean is, Drina hasn't had it easy these past few years. When the Monroe family was at its lowest, her mother..."

Audrina despised it when anyone brought up her mother. She shot Willow a sharp, warning glare.

Realizing she had spoken out of turn again, Willow immediately swallowed the rest of her sentence. "Never mind, forget it. Pretend I didn't ask."

Just as the words left her mouth, the private room's door swung open.

Carter strolled in with a swagger. "Man, sorry I'm late—"

He stepped into the room, spotted Willow, and the rest of his greeting died in his throat.

Willow stood up on sheer reflex. "What are you doing here?"

Carter's lips slowly curled into a smirk. "What a coincidence."

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