Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.
The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.
Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.
Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly chatted with her friends. Meanwhile, the adults were on the other side, also drinking coffee and chatting.
By God, but she was beautiful tonight, wearing a floral summer dress that showed off her slender body perfectly. Her hair, long and lush, was left hanging down her back. And her exquisite face, along with her bright eyes and sensual lips, never ceased to fascinate both men.
Suddenly, she glanced across the room, and her eyes met first with Sebastian and then Darcy. They noted her blushing, and she quickly flicked her gaze away, embarrassed. They saw her licking her lips, and instantly, the two men felt this intense desire for her.
Sebastian cleared his throat then and said to Darcy, “Shall we get things started?”
Darcy nodded eagerly. He got up as he said, “See you later, then?”
“Hmm,” Sebastian responded.
Conrad noticed and asked Darcy, “Where are you going?”
Darcy said, hiding a smile, “To get some dessert.”
“How about I join you?” Logan asked enthusiastically.
“No!” both Sebastian and Darcy said in unison.
Nicolas noticed their abrupt, firm answer and said to Logan, “That type of dessert is not to be shared with you.”
Tristan said, “You piqued my interest.” He turned to eye Darcy with suspicion. “Now, out with it. It’s not dessert you’re after, is it?”
Darcy said firmly, “That’s none of your business.” Then he headed toward the door, leaving not only Conrad, but Logan, Sosuke, Peter, and Jim to wonder what he was up to.
Tristan was about to go after the younger brother when Hayden appeared in front of him. “How about a drinking game?”
Tristan raised a brow as he folded his arms across his chest. “You’re trying to make me forget about Darcy and his dessert, aren’t you?”
Hayden, always blunt, nodded in the affirmative.
Tristan gave in. “Fine.” He turned and said loudly, “All right, everyone, it’s drinking game time.”
At this, Logan cheered while everyone else, including Sosuke, looked desperate to get out.
About an hour later, Sebastian watched with amusement as his brothers and their friends immersed themselves in their drinking game, while all thoughts about Darcy and his dessert left their minds. Obviously, both Tristan and Logan were more than a little drunk and, of course, being rather rowdy. Fortunately, the adults had already retired to another sitting room upstairs where they could chat in peace.
Sebastian continued to join his brothers, though he wasn’t drinking, since he couldn’t afford to. Especially not with what he and Darcy had planned for later that night.
When he noted it was just about time, he quietly slipped from the group and headed to find Sakura.
He found her in the kitchen, talking to Beth and Akira. When the women saw him at the door, he said, “Mind if I steal Sakura away?”
Both Akira and Beth shook their heads.
Sebastian reached his palm out to Sakura as invitation. “Care for a little stroll?”
“Sure,” Sakura said and shyly placed her hand in his.
Got ya, Sebastian thought, his eyes twinkling. A moment later, the pair left the house.
In the kitchen, Akira said, “You’re smiling, Beth. What’s up?”
Beth giggled. “I’m just thinking that we might be hearing some good news soon.”
Akira shifted her gaze to the door and smiled, too. “I agree with you.”
***
Sakura stared long and hard at Sebastian’s hand that clasped hers, enveloping the smallness of her fingers under his. She didn’t know why, but it felt right, perfect even, that he was leading her away from the noise and the crowd of their happy family currently immersed in the celebration. She was sure he was leading her somewhere quiet and peaceful where they could talk.
And Darcy? Well, she hadn’t seen him since after dinner when she had made eye contact with him. She wondered where he’d disappeared off to, and it worried her. Since after the incident, it seemed she always worried about him. What if something were to happen to him again? God, she couldn’t bear the thought of losing him. The fear, it drowned her in paranoia.
She took a deep breath, telling herself Darcy had just gone out, perhaps to get some fresh air, as she and Sebastian were currently doing.
Sebastian. The other man she loved. He was here, safe with her.
She unconsciously moved closer and rested her head against his arm as they walked.
Sebastian turned to look at her, a smile playing about his lips. “What’s the matter?” he asked.
Sakura cast her gaze downward, very aware that his azure eyes were watching her intently, which made her nervous.
She licked her lips and then said, “Nothing.”
Honestly, how could she tell him that the feeling of being with him made her extremely happy, while at the same time, the thought of losing him or Darcy could kill her? And that was the reason she was acting all clingy. Of course not. Instead, she changed the subject.
“Just wondering where you’re taking me. That’s all.”
Sebastian grinned. “You’ll see.”
Sakura didn’t like the fact that his answer was vague, but then again, she didn’t care where he was taking her. Just as long as they could be alone, she was happy.
A few minutes later, they came to the edge of the estate, and Sakura frowned because she noticed Sebastian’s sports car, the one he’d used to drive her to the hospital to see Darcy, was parked across the road from them.
She asked, “Why is your car here?”
Sebastian gave her a handsome grin. “Would you like to go for a ride?”
She cocked her head to one side, wondering what was up Sebastian’s sleeve. Had he planned for the car to be here all along?
She gave him a grin in return and said, “Sure.”
Sebastian brought out a key and clicked it to unlock. Then he opened the passenger door for her. “After you.”
Sakura slipped in, suddenly wondering where he was going to take her. She was about to ask him after he had slid into the driver’s seat when he silenced her with a gentle kiss. “You’ll see,” he said, reading her mind.