181 An Unexpected Intimacy
181 An Unexpected Intimacy
“Better?” he asked,
“Thanks again for the ride.”
The next thing I knew, someone was saying my name.
That’s when I noticed something else–Sebastian’s expensive cashmere coat was draped over me like a blanket. At some point, he had covered me with it. The gesture was so intimate, so caring that it sent a strange flutter through my chest.
“Hazel Shaw.”
The last thing I needed was to appear vulnerable in front of Sebastian. Being alone in his car already felt too intimate, too close.
Sebastian nodded, though his eyes told me he saw right through my hasty retreat. “Of
course.”
I needed to escape this car, this moment, before I did something stupid like lean across and kiss him. The thought startled me so much that I fumbled for the door
handle.
“You’re probably thirsty,” he said.
“It’s been a long day,” he persisted. “Just close your eyes for a bit.”
“You sleep peacefully,” he assured me. “Though you did mutter something about fabric
orders once.”
Sebastian looked at me for a long moment, something unspoken simmering in his gaze. Just as I was about to close the door and flee to the safety of my office, he called out.
I glanced out the window, seeing the snow had turned to a light dusting here in the city. Sebastian had driven me all this way, then simply waited in the parking lot until I woke naturally. The thought made my heart beat faster.
“Don’t be. I was happy to let you rest.”
I froze, my heart suddenly pounding. The way he said my name–my full name–sent a shiver down my spine that had nothing to do with the winter chill.
14:00
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181 An Unexpected Intimacy
I smoothed my hair, horrified. Had I snored? Drooled? Made any embarrassing noises? The questions must have shown on my face because Sebastian’s smile widened.
“I wouldn’t actually fall asleep,” I insisted, though exhaustion tugged at my limbs. Eleanor’s probing questions and the emotional tension of the day had drained me.
“You just sat here? Waiting for me to wake up?”
I planned to merely pretend to rest, to avoid further conversation. Sebastian reached over and pressed a button on my seat. It reclined smoothly, tilting back to a perfect angle. The leather was buttery soft against my neck.
Heat flooded my face. “An hour and a half? Why didn’t you wake me?”
“Hazel? We’re here.”
“My pleasure.” His voice had dropped lower, sending an involuntary shiver through me that had nothing to do with the temperature.
A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “Fine. Maybe just for a few minutes.”
“Thank you,” I said, handing the water bottle back. “For the ride, and for… letting me sleep. And the coat.”
Sebastian watched me with those intense eyes of his. “Better?”
“Fall asleep? Yes,” Sebastian confirmed, his eyes crinkled with gentle humor. “For about
an hour and a half.”
“You shivered a bit when we hit the highway,” he explained, taking it from me. “The temperature dropped further.”
“Oh God.” I buried my face in my hands. “I’m so sorry.”
“I rescheduled.” His voice was calm, unbothered. “Nothing was more important than making sure you got back safely.”
I checked my watch, feeling increasingly flustered. “You missed your afternoon meetings because of me.”
“You can recline your seat if you want to rest,” Sebastian suggested, his voice gentle
against the backdrop of snow falling outside. “We still have about forty minutes before we reach the city.”
14:01
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181 An Unexpected Intimacy
My eyes flew open. Sebastian was watching me, his expression amused. I bolted upright, mortified as I realized what had happened.
“Yes,” I admitted reluctantly. “Thank you.”
I accepted the bottle, our fingers brushing momentarily. Even that small contact sent electricity up my arm. I took a sip, grateful for the cool water against my dry throat.
Sebastian shrugged, as if it were nothing. “I had calls to make. Some emails to send.” He held up his phone. “I was perfectly occupied.”
I nodded, suddenly hyperaware of everything about him–the way his shirt stretched across his broad shoulders, the faint scent of his cologne that clung to his coat, now folded neatly in his lap, the patient way he waited for my response.
Sebastian kept his eyes on the snowy road. “I won’t tell anyone if you do.”
Just five minutes, I told myself. Five minutes of pretending to sleep, then I’d “wake up” and we could resume our awkward silence.
I pushed the door open, stepping out into the cold afternoon air. It cleared my head immediately. I leaned down to say a final goodbye.
“I should go,” I blurted. “I have a lot to catch up on.”
I shook my head. “No, I’m fine.”
## Hazel’s POV
“You clearly needed the rest,” he said simply. “You were sound asleep before we even
left the mountain roads.”
“Your coat,” I said, lifting it awkwardly.
The statement hung between us, weighted with meaning I wasn’t ready to
acknowledge. Sebastian reached into a compartment between our seats and produced a water bottle. He twisted the cap open before handing it to me.
I closed my eyes, just to sell the charade. The gentle hum of the engine, the warmth of the heater, and the smooth motion of the car created a lulling effect. Sebastian drove carefully, avoiding bumps and taking turns with deliberate gentleness.
“What? Where-” I looked around frantically, recognizing the familiar surroundings of
my office parking lot. “Did I-?”
