I Fell for the Man Who Ruined Me, Then He Forgot He Ever Loved Me Back novel Chapter 361

Julian felt a surge of immense satisfaction.

Everything Liam said aligned perfectly with Julian's own thoughts. Given the setting, it wasn't his place to be brutally harsh, but Jorrod Vaughn was a different story. As the VIP guest, Jorrod could say whatever he pleased.

A flicker of quiet amusement danced in Jorrod's eyes.

He turned his head slightly, looking at the woman who was determined to act as if she weren't part of this dinner.

Under the table, his long legs stretched out. The toe of his handmade black leather shoe nudged affectionately against the edge of her elegant almond-colored pump, wagging like a puppy eager for its owner's attention.

When she frowned at him, his lips curved into a smile. "Ms. Quinn, your ex-boyfriend just said he won't badger you into getting back together."

Sienna hadn't planned on participating in the conversation at all. Caught off guard, she replied flatly, "Mr. Vaughn, I'm not deaf."

Jorrod's foot didn't stop moving. He leaned in a fraction closer, his voice dropping to a low, husky whisper meant only for her ears. "Are you finally willing to talk to me?"

Sienna glared at him and stomped hard on his foot.

The toe of his pristine leather shoe caved in slightly. As it slowly popped back into shape, a dusty footprint marred the polished black surface.

Jorrod glanced down at it, then lifted his chin. A faint, utterly delighted smile played at the corners of his mouth.

He reached over, moved her plate of mussels aside, and replaced it with a small bowl of pan-seared shrimp he had just meticulously peeled for her.

"Here, eat this. We wouldn't want Team Lead Carter holding onto any false hope. He's very career-driven; it would be a shame if this accidentally derailed his future."

Sienna pushed the bowl away, refusing to touch a single bite.

Under the table, the man's tailored knee brushed against her leg in a seductive plea. When she ignored him, his long, pale fingers crept over, hooking onto hers. He played with her hand like a captivating menace, the teasing touch making her palm tingle.

Yet, to anyone looking at his chiseled, flawless profile, his half-lidded eyes made him seem colder and more aloof than anyone else in the room.

What did it mean to have the status of an official partner, the cunning of a mistress, the allure of a seductress, and the manipulative tongue of a homewrecker?

Sienna had finally figured it out.

That description practically served as Jorrod's life motto, and he executed it with terrifying perfection.

The hand beneath the table remained restless, his rough thumb tracing the delicate skin of her wrist. In the heavy silence, he boldly advanced further up her forearm.

Sienna slapped his hand away.

Julian specifically asked the waiter to pack a to-go box of lemon butter shrimp for Jorrod. He had noticed Jorrod peeling quite a few and assumed he liked them.

Jorrod didn't say a word. He actually hated shrimp, but he knew exactly who loved them. He shot a brief glance at Sienna, and only after seeing her give a subtle nod did he accept the container.

No alcohol had been ordered, so it was a given that everyone would drive themselves home.

Sienna had arrived early, so her car was parked just a short walk from the bistro.

As Julian headed down to the underground garage, she noticed Jorrod following right on her heels. He stopped in front of her car, pulled open the driver's side door, and slid into the seat as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"I'll take you home," Jorrod stated.

Sienna got into the passenger seat, leaning her head against the headrest and closing her eyes to rest.

She heard the rustle of fabric against leather as the man's warm breath drew near. He took the hand resting on her knee and began massaging her palm.

His voice was a low murmur, completely devoid of the arrogant indifference he had displayed at the dinner table. "Was I on my best behavior?"

Sienna's eyes snapped open. She stared at him in disbelief. "In what universe were you behaving?"