Kourtney nudged him gently with her elbow. âYou⌠you canât fire everyone who looks at me.ââWatch me,â he growled softly.âYouâre awful.ââAnd you love it.ââYes!â She laughed, shaking her head as they approached a group of board members and investors, all of whom greeted Sebastian with firm handshakes and polite nods.To Kourtney, they were just as courteous, complimenting her on her charm and poise. She smiled graciously, her natural warmth putting them at ease. Once again, she thanked the heavens for the times sheâd undergo ladyship training, back when she was preparing for her role as the Smithâs young mistress, Brandonâs wife.It was all so worth it!Who knew she'd be using what she learnt back then in a completely different scenario now?She laughed at their dry jokes and asked thoughtful questions like she was meant to be here.Beside her, Sebastian couldnât help but swell with pride.The woman was perfectâhis perfect.She fit so perfectly into his world, yet she had no idea ho
Kourtneyâs smile faltered slightly, but her eyes sparkled with determination. She turned to him, her hand resting lightly on his arm, her touch sending a jolt through his body.âPlease, Hubby, I miss Grandpa and everyone too,â she said with a babyish, soft, and pleading voice.But Sebastian couldnât shake the nagging feeling that something was off about the whole idea.âPlease?! Please please, please! Say yes!â Kourtney said again as she tilted her head, giving him that pouty look that never failed to unravel him.And as usual, he couldn't resist it.âFine. You win.ââReally?â she squealed loudly, her voice bubbling with excitement as those nearby turned to gape at them.His radiant wife was practically bouncing in her seat, her brown curls swaying.Her enthusiasm was infectious and Sebastianâs expression immediately softened. âYeah,â he muttered, trying to sound grumpy but failing miserably.She leaned over and pressed a soft, fleeting kiss to his cheek. The warmth of her lips linge
âHmmm.â Kourtneyâs heart melted at his words, too glad to say anything else.Across the table, Rachael Lind was staring at her with an intensity that made her skin crawl.Creepy stares! She'd call it.Her blue eyes were locked on her, intense and unblinking, like a predator sizing up prey.âWhatâs her deal?â she thought, brushing it off as best she could.With so many eyes on her and Sebastian tonight, it wasnât worth dwelling on.She glanced around, noticing a few guests were even sneaking photos and videos of them with their phones to post online. Some might even be live-streaming.Great! More fodder for the tabloids and online netizens.But this was her life now!Married to a billionaire heartthrob!The world watched their every move, and sheâd learned to roll with it. Frankly, she didnât mind anymore. Especially not when Sebastianâs hand grazed her thigh under the table, sending a jolt of heat through her.Her mind raced with dirty thoughts of the night ahead.What has this man do
Kourtney couldnât shake the feeling that Rachael Lind was trouble.Was it just her imagination?The thought gnawed at her, but she pushed it down.However, her eyes flicked to Sebastian, searching his face. His jaw tightened, a flash of irritation crossing his features as if he was annoyed at Rachaelâs boldness.âLind,â he said curtly, his tone clipped, barely acknowledging her.He was indeed barely tolerating her presence at his company. And it's all for the sake of her father who had once saved his life. He didnât even glance at the woman for long, trying to avoid getting nauseous.He turned to Kourtney, and his eyes softened back in an instant, his hand sliding possessively around her waist. âCome on, my love, letâs go to our seats.âRelief washed over her, and she nodded, letting him guide her away.She stole a glance at Rachael, who was still watching them, her lips curved in a knowing smirk, her eyes gleaming with something sharp, envy, maybe, or something even more dangerous.O
Without warning, Sebastian slid his arms under her, lifting her in his usual beloved bridal style with ease.As he stood up gallantly, carrying her towards the door, Kourtneyâs emerald eyes sparkled with unmistakable joy.âSebastian!â she squealed, her cheeks flushing. âYou donât have to carry me everywhere, you know!ââOh, but I do, darling. Itâs my new favorite thing in the world.ââYouâre ridiculous,â she teased, but she secretly loved it. She secretly loved him carrying her like a baby all over the place.âRidiculous?â he countered, his voice a low growl as he kicked the door open. âIâm just making sure my wife gets the VIP treatment.âKourtneyâs heart fluttered, her nausea forgotten for a moment as she leaned into him.But soon enough, her nerves returned.Would she dazzle them?Or would she stumble?One thing was certain⌠Sebastianâs hold on her told her heâd never let her fallâŚ..**********The rooftop of the towering Woods Corporation headquarters in Melbourne was transformed
Kourtney pointed innocently at it, her voice light and curious. âIs that your mom?âSebastianâs heart flipped, a sharp pain slicing through him.Even after all these years, any mention of his mother sent a wave of raw emotion crashing over him, grief, love, and something darker he couldnât even name.The wound was still raw, a huge scar that never quite healed.He swallowed hard, his throat tight, but he forced his voice to stay steady. âYes.âKourtneyâs gaze lingered on the portrait, her lips parting slightly as she took in the image of the woman.The woman was stunning, and her beauty wasâŚ. timeless.Just like Sebastian, she had raven-dark hair.It was long, cascading over her shoulders, and her face was radiant with a kind of warmth that seemed to glow from within. Her eyes, a deep, soulful brown, held a gentleness that made Kourtneyâs chest ache.There was something so alive about the woman, even in the stillness of the portrait.âSheâs breathtaking. And⌠And⌠Her eyes⌠theyâre so