Every time Sakura saw Sebastian, she felt a sort of radiance within her being, glowing with an intense burst of flame.
Indeed, the man was handsome today, wearing a loose shirt and jeans that fit his masculine physique perfectly. As per usual, his pale-blond hair glittered like white gold under the setting sun. And that smile on his face, it tugged something wonderful deep within her heart.
Sebastian made his way toward them and came to a stop before Sakura. “Dinner is served,” he said.
Haruka nodded and then stood up. “In saying that, Sakura-chan, one must choose the one who is always there for her.”
Sakura got the meaning behind her mother’s words and blushed, noting Sebastian was gazing at her with a questioning look in his eyes. She knew he wondered what her mother meant. Of course, she wasn’t going to enlighten him. It was too embarrassing. After all, the subject involved him and his brother Darcy.
Haruka smiled at Sebastian and then walked back into the house where the loud noise of friendly arguing between the Princeton brothers and the Suzuki siblings could be heard.
“Tristan!” That was Conrad’s voice. “I’m sitting beside Akira-chan.”
“Who’s your Akira-chan, eh? You little brat!” Tristan demanded. “You’re not Akira’s childhood friend.”
“As if you are,” Conrad shouted. “Akira wants me to sit next to her.”
Nicolas intervened. “That’s enough, guys. I’m sitting beside Akira. Any objection?”
At this point, Sakura started to laugh. She said, “Akira is having a hard time. I certainly know what it feels like to be on the receiving end.”
Sebastian sat beside her and nodded. “I’m okay with that. Just as long as those stupid brothers of mine don’t come and bother you.” He gently placed one hand at the nape of her neck and drew her close.
Sakura blinked as she stared into his eyes—that beautiful azure had fascinated her since the first time she had met him, many years ago.
Sebastian dug his fingers deeply into the thickness of her hair, while his thumb continued to caress the sensitive skin about her cheek. He was seducing her again, Sakura knew. The handsome man really did know what he was doing, and it wouldn’t be long before she’d surrender to his ardent kiss.
“As long as they don’t take you away from me,” he said cheekily. Then he drew his head in and claimed her lips.
His kiss was slow and gentle, warm and soft, just like chocolate and ice cream melting on a hot summer’s day. Then slowly, he persuaded her lips to part for him, allowing his tongue to enter her mouth, to explore that much-desired sanctuary.
Sakura groaned as she felt her body weaken and become warm and fuzzy. She felt as though she were floating in the air as Sebastian stroked his tongue against her, caressing her and playing havoc with her.
When he finally drew his head back, she was breathless and out of sorts. Her eyes were bright and her cheeks were red. Her whole body was trembling with heat, not to mention what was happening in her core.
“You shouldn’t have kissed me, Sebastian,” she said softly.
Instead of sympathizing with her, the blasted man had the gall to laugh, which annoyed her.
“Why not?” he queried innocently.
“We’re not officially dating, yet,” she retorted.
Sebastian cocked his head to one side. “Oh? Not officially dating, yet? Does that mean something?”
Sakura blinked and instantly understood the meaning of her own words. Damn myself! She had spoken without thought.
“What I mean to say is I haven’t decided, yet, as I’ve told you before.”
Sebastian took her words in stride. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes. “Your words give me hope, Sakura. I’m happy to wait until you give me the answer.”
Suddenly, he opened his eyes again and drew her into his arms, embracing her.
Being squeezed so tightly like that, Sakura could feel the heat of his manly body against her. He was hard everywhere, and he was making her feel a little too warm. Not in a bad way, of course.
“I love you that much, regardless of who you choose. Me or Darcy.” Then he laughed sadly. “Either way, one of us brothers will still have our heart broken.”
Sakura tightened her hands about him, tears threatening to brew. “Hmm…” She couldn’t agree more. “Why does it have to be like this? Why do I have to love two men? But I can’t help myself.”
Sebastian moved and kissed her on the forehead lightly. “Either way, my love, you’ll be my wife or my sister-in-law. There’s no other choice.”
Sakura blinked, and it was only then that she began to laugh. “No other choice, eh?”
Sebastian smiled, pleased.
“I’m your sister-in-law?” Sakura asked rhetorically. “I can’t imagine it.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t,” he said, and began to laugh, too.
It was then a loud “Oh, brother!” came their way.
The two turned to see Logan shaking his head.
“Stop being lovey-dovey to Sakura, Seb, and get your ass into the house before all the food runs out. You’ll have no one to blame but yourself.”
When Sebastian ignored him by shrugging his broad shoulders, Logan marched to them. There he stood, feet apart and glaring at his brother.
“And good Lord, do something about that bedlam that is still going on in the house. I feel sorry for Lady Haruka. She has to put up with our stupid brothers.”
“As if you aren’t one of those brothers,” Sebastian said mockingly. At that, Logan snickered delightedly.
“You didn’t feel sorry for me when I had to put up with you brothers,” Sakura said, one brow raised in a challenge.
Logan gave her a handsome smile. “Still don’t, my darling sis,” he said. He grabbed her slender wrist and led her up from the seat, away from Sebastian. “Now then, can’t leave you here with this ugly brother of mine too long. Shall we grab some dinner?”
Sakura chuckled. “Sure.”
Sebastian shook his head and followed the two into the penthouse. Once they stepped across the threshold, a blast of loud noise greeted them.
“Sakura, darling,” Tristan said, the instant he spotted her. He sprang off his seat and came around to her. There, before Logan was any the wiser, he stole her hand from the brother and whisked her away to the seat beside his, which was next to Hayden.
Logan gave Tristin a dagger-like stare, to which Tristan countered with a dashing smile and a wave of his hand.
Sebastian shook his head at his brothers’ childish behavior and took a seat next to Darcy. Opposite him, across the table, was Akira. She was, not so surprisingly, flanked by her two very intimidating bodyguards; Nicolas on her left and Sosuke on her right.
On the other side of the table, Sakura glanced at Darcy, who, for the past few days, had been acting rather distant toward her. For the third time since then, she wondered if it was merely her imagination. In fact, he hadn’t spoken to her since that night four days ago when they had been back at the Princeton Hotel, when her mother, Haruka, had revealed to Sakura they were related.
After she had talked to Sebastian that night and returned to join everyone else in the penthouse, Darcy had left. Since then, he had been residing at his loft instead of here at the apartment with his brothers. Perhaps he had a lot of work to do before departing for Hawaii. But really, what had happened since that night? What had made him act so distant and aloof?
She was still looking at him when he suddenly caught her eyes. He gazed at her long and hard, pinning her where she was, making her breathless. Her stomach began to flip and heart began to pound fast when, finally, he glanced away and returned his attention to his food.
Sakura felt shaken from the intense eye contact and wondered what was wrong with her. What happened between us?
“So, Akira-chan,” Tristan said from the other side of the table, “have you packed yet?”
“I’ve started,” Akira said.
“Make sure to bring bikinis,” he teased.
Hayden looked heavenward. “We’re going there to work, Tristan, not laze around holidaying.”
“I’m sure there’ll be lots of time in between to have some fun,” Logan chimed in. “Isn’t that right, Sakura?”
Sakura nodded. “Yes. Mary has already sent me a list of things for us to do.”
“What’s on the list?” Conrad asked enthusiastically.
Sakura cocked her head to one side as she bit into her roasted potato.
“I can’t remember, because it’s quite long. Let me see…shopping. Ah, there’s that fashion show…”
“What?” Conrad pulled his face. “That’s girly stuff.”
Sakura laughed.
Akira chuckled. “It’s for us girls, Conrad-san.”
“Huh?” Conrad stared at her. “But what about us?”
“Sorry, Conrad,” Sakura said teasingly. “You’ll have to negotiate with Mary.”
“Why, that woman!” Tristan grumbled. “Stealing our darling Sakura away from us just for herself.”
“Don’t worry, everyone,” Haruka put in, smiling. “Tachibana-sensei and Ruka-san have planned many things for everyone to do before and after the shooting days.”
“Oh?” Nicolas couldn’t help but feel compelled to find out what plans Mr. Tachibana and Ms. Ruka had for them. It was the first time he had heard of it, and considering Mr. Tachibana and Ms. Ruka were the masterminds behind the whole thing, it was bound to be interesting indeed.
When Haruka looked around her, she noted it wasn’t just Nicolas who was interested. His brothers were, too, for they were all looking at her, expecting her to elaborate.
She chuckled. “Ms. Ruka said there will be games.”
Tristan rubbed his hands together. “I can’t wait.”
“Me, too,” Logan said, laughing.
“Me, three,” Conrad chimed in.