Page 15

At the third strike, the heavy door gave way and crashed against the wall as it violently swung open.

Sebastian stood on the threshold.

Wearing only a pair of jeans, his hair wet. Clearly winded, his bare chest rose and fell, drawing my attention to the enigmatic passionflower and crown tattoo over his heart. Its meaning just one more mystery to the man.

Droplets of water clung to the hard planes of his muscled torso, tracing paths down to the waistband of the jeans that hung dangerously low on his hips.

The raw power emanating from him made the vast bathroom suddenly feel suffocatingly small.

He took two large steps toward me. "Sabrina, what the f⁠—"

I raised my arm, clutching the dispenser.

His hard stare shifted from my face to my hand and back again, studying me. "What is wrong?"

The intensity in his eyes made my skin prickle with a confusing mix of fear and desire.

I blinked, hysterical laughter bubbling up through my chest. "Wrong? Wrong? What could possibly be wrong?"

He stepped forward, arms raised. The muscles in his forearms flexed, reminding me of how easily he could overpower me if he wanted to.

I retreated, jerking my arm away. "Don't you fucking dare. I'm warning you."

He raised an eyebrow. "You are warning me? I think you've forgotten who's in control here."

As if I could.

The truth of his words didn't take away the arrogant sting. The audacity of the man.

My vision blurred with rage. Without thought, I launched the heavy crystal dispenser at his head.

He ducked just in time.

It landed with a hard crack against the marble tile, breaking into pieces.

Sebastian's eyes narrowed as the shadow of a smirk crossed his lips.

That dangerous smile that always made my heart race despite myself.

He lunged for me.

I swept my hand over the bathroom counter, grabbing a large shard of the broken mirror, and leapt out of the way. I brandished the jagged piece like a knife.

Sebastian drew up short. "Sabrina. Put that down."

His tone brooked no argument and promised consequences.

"Did you know?"

"Know what?"

My heart beat frantically against my chest. "Did you know my father was going to try to kill me?" I screamed.

A tic appeared over his cheek as he lowered his brow. "You can't possibly think I'd put you in danger?"

He took a step forward.

“The fuck I can’t.” I raised the mirror shard in defense and backed up. "Is that why you announced our bogus engagement to those men?"