The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 180

180 A Quiet Drive in the Snow

“You work too hard.”1

“It can wait.” He stopped in front of me, running a hand through his dark hair. “I wanted

to apologize for my mother. She can be… direct.”

Sebastian glanced at me, his expression softening. “Tired?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “Why else would I have agreed?”

“Hazel, wait.”

“That’s really not necessary.”

Sebastian glanced at me. “Makes familiar things look new again.”

I turned to look at him. “Which was?”

“I’ll be careful.”

Sebastian moved closer. “What did she say to you?”

“Just work,” I answered, still looking out the window. “Nothing that can’t wait.”

“Sebastian—”

The road became less steep as we descended from the mountains. Snow continued to fall in thick curtains, but Sebastian drove with quiet confidence. Minutes passed in companionable silence.

“That’s an interesting measure of approval.”

I hesitated. The snow was indeed coming down faster now, and the thought of navigating unfamiliar mountain roads made me nervous. Still, the idea of being alone in a car with Sebastian felt equally dangerous, though for entirely different reasons.

The statement hung between us, profound in its simplicity and sincerity. I didn’t know how to respond, so I remained silent.

His gaze flickered to me briefly before returning to the road. “I think you already know the answer to that.”

20-33

More flakes began to fall, delicate and light. Within seconds, they were coming down steadily, dusting Sebastian’s dark hair with white.

“It is.” His tone left no room for argument. “The mountain roads are dangerous in these conditions, especially for someone not used to driving them.”

I held out my hand, watching as snowflakes melted against my warm skin. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes,” Sebastian agreed quietly, though he wasn’t looking at the snow.

The question caught me off guard. “I needed the investment.”

“I hope I didn’t keep you from anything important,” Sebastian said, breaking the quiet.

I dropped my hand, suddenly self-conscious. “I should really go.”

“The snow changes everything,” I murmured, almost to myself.

## Hazel’s POV

Sebastian’s lips curved into a smile. “Fair point. But I’ve learned to delegate. Do you ever take time for yourself, Hazel?”

The heater hummed softly. Outside, the world continued to transform into a winter wonderland. Inside, I was acutely aware of Sebastian’s presence-the steady rhythm of his breathing, the subtle scent of his cologne, the warmth radiating from him despite the distance I’d carefully maintained between us.

“That hardly counts as relaxation.”

“I took time to have lunch with you today,” I pointed out.

I realized I’d been staring out the window for nearly twenty minutes without speaking. “A little.”

Sebastian pulled onto the private road leading down from his family estate. Snow was accumulating quickly, turning the world into a pristine white landscape. Through the windows, the familiar scenery had transformed into something magical.

I turned to see Sebastian striding across the driveway, his long legs covering the distance quickly. He looked concerned.

He shrugged. “She’s protective, like you said. But she also wants me to be happy.”

I couldn’t argue with that. Lunch with Eleanor had been many things, but relaxing wasn’t one of them.

“I thought you had a meeting,” I said, awkwardly clutching my purse.

“I’ve never asked,” Sebastian said carefully, “why did you accept my business proposal that day? You could have refused.”

Eleanor’s words echoed in my head as I walked toward my car. Smart but stubborn. The assessment stung because it was probably true.

The car slowed as we approached a particularly steep section of road. Snow was falling heavily now, the windshield wipers working steadily to maintain visibility.

A soft white flake drifted between us, landing on Sebastian’s shoulder. We both looked up at the same time.

“Snow,” I whispered, momentarily forgetting my discomfort.

“Let me drive you,” he insisted. “My car has all-wheel drive and snow tires.”

Sebastian navigated another turn before responding. “Is that the only reason?”

“None that offered terms as favorable as yours,” I countered.

The observation felt weighted with meaning I wasn’t ready to examine.

“You don’t need to say anything,” he interrupted gently. “I know you’re not ready. I’m willing to wait.”

“First snowfall of the season,” he said, his eyes never leaving my face. “Earlier than expected.”

Sebastian’s face softened with a smile. “Of course.”

“A chance to get to know you better,” he said simply.

“It’s fine.” I forced a smile. “She’s protective of you. I understand that.”

The tension between us thickened. I stared straight ahead, watching the snow-covered road unfurl before us. Neither of us spoke for several minutes.

“Nothing that wasn’t true.” I glanced at my watch, desperate to escape this conversation. “I really should get back to the office. We have that deadline for the

charity gala samples.”

“Perhaps for the same reason I made the offer.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Did we attend the same lunch? She practically gave me a warning to stay away from you.”

We drove in silence for several minutes. The snowfall created a cocoon around us,

muffling outside sounds and creating an unexpected intimacy. I gazed out the window, watching fat snowflakes spiral down against the darkening sky.

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