The Billionaire's Dangerous Redemption (by Claire Winters) novel Chapter 85

85 A Drunken Kiss and a Dangerous Promise

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I demanded, narrowing my eyes at Sebastian

The room was spinning slightly, making his handsome face blur at the edges. Despite my drunken state I noticed how his expression shifted from amusement to something

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is kindness so suspicious?” he asked

I jabbed a finger toward his chest, nearly losing my balance in the process. “People are & Rist ng Everyone wants something

Sebastian caught iny wrist before I could poke him again. His grip was gentle but firm.

What exactly do you think I want from you Ms. Shaw?

leaned closer, squinting as if I could see through him. “Maybe you want my kidneys Are you an organ harvester?”

A surprised laugh escaped him. Tassure you, my medical interests don’t extend to organ theft

That’s exactly what an organ harvester would say! I pulled my wrist free and scooted to the opposite end of the sofa, hugging a decorative pillow to my chest like a shield

Sebastian shook his head “Hazel, I promise you’re safe with me

How do I know that? My voice sounded childish even to my own ears. “I trusted Alistair for six years, and look where that got me

T’m not Alistair

There was something in the way he said it-a quiet intensity that made me pause

No: Lagreed, studying his face. You’re much more dangerous

Dangerous His eyebrow arched

nodded emphatically You re too perfect Too helpful Too everything waved my

hand in his rural direction. It’s out natur)

Sebastiat leaned back watching me was those dark unreadable eves The far from

perfect Hazes

“There! That s weird too” Eported accusangls “You keep calling the Hazel Nobody calls me Bazel except Vera It’s always “Ms Shaw this and Ms Shaw that Even the people who hate me are polite about it

“Would you prefer I call you Ms. Shaw?

“No! I mean, yes Lfrowned, confused by my own response “I don’t know

Sebastian smiled, and something about it made my stomach flip. Or maybe that was Just the alcohol

“You know what my problem is?” I blurted out

“I’m sure you’re about to tell me

“I’m a soft persimmon.

Sebastian blinked. “I beg your pardon?”

A soft persimmon.” I repeated, as if it explained everything ‘Everyone sees me as this soft, vulnerable fruit they can squish and take bites from whenever they want? I mimed a squishing motion with my hands. “My father, Tanya Ivy Alistair – they all took pieces of me

Sebastian’s expression softened. “Not anymore. You’re stronger than you give yourself

credit for.”

“Am I” I looked down at my hands. “Sometimes I don’t feel strong at all

“Strength isn’t about never feeling vulnerable” he said quietly ‘It’s about continuing despite that vulnerability

I stared at him, momentarily speechless. Even through my alcohol haze, his words resonated somewhere deep inside me

Who are you really?” I whispered. Do know you from somewhere

Sebastian hesitated, something flickering in his eyes. Do you recognize me Hazel? Lleaned forward studying his face intently. There was something familiar about him like a balf-forgottes dream. But before Frould chase that thought. The room fitted

Whoo, breathed grabbing the edge of the sofa

Sebastian was beside me instantly You should lie down

I’m tine

basisted, even as I listed sideways. He caught me easily, his arm strong

around my shoulders

“You re not time You’re exhausted and intoxicated

You’re bossy, & muttered but didn’t resist as he cased me down onto the sofa cushions. The room spun less when I was horizontal, which was a define

improvement

Sebastian pulled an afghan from the back of the sofa and draped it over me “Get some

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“Wait, grabbed his wrist. “You didn’t answer my question: Why are you being so nice

To me

He looked down at my hand clutching his wrist, then met my eyes. “Because someone needs to be.

“That’s not an answer

“It’s the only one I can give you right now.”

I frowned up at him “You’re very mysterious, you know that?”

A small smile played at his lips. “So I’ve been told:

As he straightened up, the light caught his face at a different angle, and for a moment, he looked almost vulnerable

“You’re really handsome” I blurted out, filter completely dissolved by alcohol

His smile widened slightly. And you’re really drunk

“Doesn’t make it less true: I argued “Your lips look soft.

Sebastian froze his expression unreadable Hazel

I want to check” Before he could react. I pushed myself up on my elbows and pressed my lips against his

The eyes lasted culs seconds before he pulled back but it was enough to confum my

Theory This Bips were indeed soft-and surprisingly warm

“Your lips are soft. I announced flopping back onto the cushions. “I knew it

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