No Drunk Confessions

The camera shutters were still popping as the court announced his judgement.

Seth didn’t even glance at them. Not the reporters, not the Judge. He stood up and extended his hand to Thea. She rose without hesitation, placing her hands in his.

For the first time in days his fingers laced through hers right in front of everyone; their lawyers, the journalists, even Runes scowling from across the aisle.

The reporters caught everything: the tightness of her jaw, his cool expression, the bandage still visible under the sleeve of her blouse as the duo head towards the exit.

Thea's eyes glanced back at Seth's in silence. There was something different about the way he held her. They have had to put up a show for Celine a couple times but this felt different.

His firm yet warm grip on her hand as he walks towards the exit, his eyes fixed on the door, almost in desperation to get her away from the reporters they were bound to meet outside.

Thea held on to his hand, leaning closer to him.

Outside the courthouse the air smelled of rain and asphalt. Reporters swam towards the duo, microphones waving and cameras clicking a dozen pictures.

“Mr. Blackwood, how do you feel about the ruling?”

“Mrs. Blackwood, were you planning the counter-suit all along?”

“Did you expect to win?”

Seth’s palm pressed lightly against her back, guiding her to the waiting car. His driver held the rear door open. Cameras snapped as Seth stooped slightly to shield her from the crush. She slipped inside; he followed, the door closing behind him immediately.

For a beat there was only the muted sound of the crowd through tinted glass and the low rumble of the engine. Seth didn’t speak. He was looking at her hand still resting in his, thumb brushing over the bandage as if to confirm she was real.

“You didn’t tell me,” he said at last, voice low.

“I didn’t think I had to,” she answered. “It was my wound, Seth. My choice.”

He gave a short huff that might have been a laugh.

“You blindsided an entire legal team and a room full of press. Even me.” He shook his head, a strand of hair falling across his brow. “God, Thea. That was…”

“Reckless?” she supplied.

“Magnificent,” he corrected. “I was ready to pull that tape and end Runes, but you…you ended him before I even opened my mouth. It was better than what I had in mind.”

She looked out the window, watching the courthouse fade away. “He was going to use me as a prop to get to you. I wasn’t going to let him just...”

Seth tilts her face towards him, placing a firm kiss on her lips. Her eyes fluttered open in shock and soon, she responded to him, leaning closer to kiss him better.

He pulled away, his head leaning on hers. His lips quirked. “You’re full of surprises.”

Her phone buzzed in her bag. She glanced at the screen: Celine. Her eyes went over to Seth who sighed.

There's no way she's yet to see the news and the court drama that just followed.

She swiped to answer. “Celine?”

“Oh thank God!” Celine sighed, her breathing heavy. “I’ve been watching the news all day. They said you were in court, that Seth was being sued for a billion? What happened? Are you safe? Why isn't he responding to my calls?”

Thea glanced at Seth again with a knowing look. He shrugs. He couldn't respond to Celine in the middle of all that chaos.

“We're fine,” Thea said gently. “And I'm sorry he didn't respond to your calls….”

“I tried calling Seth but he never picks up!I was about to drive over there myself!”

Thea glanced at him. Seth was leaning back in the seat, watching her with that unreadable half-smile.

“He’s sitting right here,” she told Celine. “Alive and…well, as smug as ever.”

Seth lifted a brow. “Smug?” he mouthed.

She suppressed a smile. “We won,” she said into the phone. “Runes Sterling lost. I filed a counter-claim. It’s over, at least for now.”

Celine exhaled audibly. “Thank goodness! I was worried sick. You scared me. Both of you. Please just…go home, get some rest and tell Seth that I will swipe that smug look off his face real soon!”

Thea chuckled. “He can hear you, Celine.”

Seth leans closer to Thea. “We're alright Celine. I didn't want to talk to you unless the problem was fixed. I didn't want to make you worry..”

“You ignoring my calls make me worry, you little rascal! Send a text at least! Not even Dante could tell me what was going on!”

“It's…”

Thea nudges Seth before leaning away from him to respond to Celine.

“I'm really sorry Celine. I just want you to know that we're safe. We’re on our way home right now.” Thea promised. “I’ll call you later, okay?”

“Okqy. Stay safe my loves,” Celine said, then hung up.

Thea slid the phone back into her bag. Seth was still watching her.

“What?” she asked.

“You,” he said simply. “On the phone you sounded like…” He searched for a word, then smirked. “Like a CEO’s wife. Calming the public.”

She rolled her eyes. “She’s my mother-in-law, Seth.”

“I know.” He leaned his head back, closing his eyes for a moment. He opened them again. “I’m not used to anyone walking into a storm for me. Usually it’s the opposite.”

“I didn’t do it for you,” she said softly.

He tilted his head, amused. “No?”

“I did it for me. For what he did to me.”

“Still,” Seth murmured. “You walked into that courtroom and basically told the world you were on my side. I’m not sure I deserve it.”

She looked at him. “You’re shocked I showed up.”

“I’m shocked,” he admitted. “And proud. And a little terrified.”

“Terrified?”

He gave a low chuckle. “You’ve been holding back. I thought you were going to slip quietly into my world but you were the complete opposite.” He turned his head toward her, eyes glinting. “That’s very Blackwood of you.”

She tried not to smile. “Is that supposed to be a compliment?”

“It’s supposed to be a warning.” His grin softened into something else. “You keep doing that and you’ll own half my company before you realise it.”

She shook her head, but the warmth in his tone sent a flutter through her chest.

The car rolled through the gates of his penthouse. Security stood at discreet posts along the drive.

Seth stepped down and held the door out for her to come with. One foot on the ground and her heel broke, making her stumble forward but Seth caught her in time.

“Damn this…” Thea cursed under the breath only to meet Seth's eyes in shock.

He heard that.

“You curse. That's new.” he teased.

Thea looked away, her cheeks burning. “Just forget it said that..”

Her eyes went down to her heels. Before she could reach for it, Seth went down on one knee, and pulled the buckle off her ankle.

Thea blinked and blinked again. She froze, having no clue what to do or what her reaction was supposed to be. Seth took off both heels and lifted her off the ground with another arm, bridal style, like she weighed nothing.

Her arms flung around his neck to steady herself, eyes searching him in silence.

“Seeing me for the first time?” He teased.

Thea cleared her throat and looked away. “You didn't have to.”

“I know and yet, here I am.”

Inside, the house was quiet. Their staff had anticipated their arrival and melted away. Seth carried her through the front entrance and into the elevator.

For a while neither spoke. The hush of the elevator pressed down on them.

He broke it first. “When we met…that night. I thought Arian was playing a sick joke on me. When I kissed you…I knew you were trouble. ”

“You acted like it,” she said.

“I know.” He traced the edge of her bandage with his thumb. “I thought you were fragile and you proved me wrong when you tossed that wine in my face..”

Thea's cheeks coloured. “About that .. “

“And stormed into my quarters when I said not to. Came into my library when I said not to. Came to tell me you would be going to Zean and that you didn't need my permission..”

Thea chuckled in disbelief "you did the exact same thing too.”

He smirked. “Fair. And…it reminded me of something.”

“Remind you of what?”

“You reminded me of me. Before I learned to build walls. Before I stopped believing anyone except Celine and Arian, would….do anything to help me.”

She studied him. He rarely spoke about himself and yet, here he was.

“You’re still arrogant,” she said. “And blunt.”

His mouth curved. “And yet you’re still here.”

“I’m still here,” she agreed.

The elevator doors swung open and they finally stepped into the penthouse. He set her down on the floor gently and Thea was more than ready to head straight to her room and take a shower..

“You should know something.” Srth said, making Thea turn to face him. He covered the distance between them.

“When I told you I’d handle Runes, I wasn’t just saying it. I had everything laid out, even the possibilities.”

He cupped her cheeks, staring into her eyes. “You were the one variable I didn’t control. And you ended up saving me.”

Thea glanced down at his lips and back at his eyes. “Maybe you don’t have to control everything.”

He gave a small, almost boyish grin. “That’s rich coming from you.”

She laughed quietly. “Maybe it is.”

Silence stretched again, but softer this time. He reached out, covering her hands with his.

“I don’t say this easily,” he murmured. “But watching you today….I'm one lucky bastard..”

Her breath caught. “You’re not just saying that?”

“I don’t do empty words,” he said.

“I know,” she whispered.

His thumb brushed her knuckles. He had always thought feelings made him weak and it was just an avenue for people to manipulate him. Seeing Thea walk into that courtroom and turn a billion-dollar lawsuit into a win…all he could think was, God help me, I love her.

He placed a kiss on her hand. “Thank you..” he whispered.

Thea’s heart thudded. He's never said that before..

“I didn’t do it to impress you. I…I didn't want Runes to hurt you because of me..” she said again, voice unsteady.

“I know.” He smiled a little. “That’s why it did.”

She stared at their joined hands. “Where does that leave us?”

“Wherever you want,” he said simply. “I’m not good at soft words, Thea. But I know what I feel. And I know I don’t want to go back to being the man I was before you.”

She lifted her gaze to his. “You’re still a little arrogant.”

He chuckled. “I said I was changing, not a saint.”

A laugh bubbled up in her. “A little goofy, too.”

He feigned offense. “Goofy?”

“You’re smiling,” she pointed out.

“Only because you’re here,” he said.

The words hung between them, heavier than they looked.

She reached up, brushing a stray hair from his forehead. “You scared me, you know. In the lobby, in the courtroom. I thought he might ruin you.”

“He can’t ruin me,” Seth said. “Not while you’re in my corner.”

Her eyes prickled. “I didn’t plan it. I just…couldn’t watch him twist the truth any longer.”

“That’s the difference between us, you and I. ” he said. “I plan everything. You act when it matters.” He squeezed her hands. “Together we’re lethal.”

She exhaled a shaky laugh. “You make it sound like a merger.”

“Best merger I’ve ever made,” he said without missing a beat.

This time she laughed fully. “You’re impossible.”

“Always,” he said.

The tension that had been coiled in her shoulders since morning finally began to ease. She knew this wasn't a drunk confession, this was Seth being completely honest with her, his guards were...down.

Seth leaned back, still holding her hand, and for a moment let his eyes close. “Stay in my room tonight,” he murmured. “Please.”

“I thought we had rules to follow.” she teased.

His eyes opened again. “I’ll make an exception.”

She tilted her head. “An exception?”

His mouth quirked. “For my wife who just saved me a billion dollars.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

“I’m yours,” he said quietly.

She looked at him, really looked. The blunt, arrogant man was still there, but something else had broken through…gratitude, pride, maybe even awe.

“Okay,” she whispered.

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss just below the bandage.

“Okay,” he echoed.