Chapter Five

The frigid, gray blue waters of the Long Island Sound lapped at his feet. A small wave surged up onto the private beach. Bare toes curled in the sand while the chilly waters swirled around his ankles. He stood legs apart, hands on his hips, and head tilted back, staring out to sea.

Sebastian’s cell phone blared out a familiar theme from Psycho. For a second, he considered not answering it, but that could create undesirable consequences.

“Yes?”

“I haven’t heard from you,” the ravaged voice whispered.

“Been busy.”

“Have you located the line’s heir yet?”

Sebastian gritted his teeth. “Working on it.”

“That’s what you said the last time we spoke.”

“It’s not exactly a simple assignment,” he bit out.

“Perhaps you are not up to the task.”

He resisted the urge to throw his phone into the ocean. “I’m handling it. I’m close.”

Only soft breaths sounded over the line as he waited for the decision.

“Keep me informed.” The call ended.

Returning the phone to his pants pocket, he braced his hands on his hips. Anger, frustration, and indecision all warred within his soul.

His gaze focused on the jetty jutting out into the Sound. With a sweep of his arm he sent a surge of power barreling outward. A jumble of small boulders exploded out the side crashing into the sea. Water sprayed up and out. Waves fanned out into gentle ripples. He gained little satisfaction from the destruction. His wrath centered on another target. A much more elusive one.

Swiveling on the balls of his feet, he strode across the sand to the short set of stairs leading to his modern retreat. A large deck connecting to a two-story wall of glass spread out before him.

Glancing neither right, or left he made his way inside and up the metal stairs to his bedroom. It was time to get ready for his date.

Coralea Bishop had no idea what was coming for her.

****

After debating over and discarding several outfits, Cory settled on a royal blue jersey wrap dress. She stopped and took the time to stare into the full-length mirror in the corner of her room. She’d used a light hand with her makeup, just to darken her eyes and lashes and add a bit of color to her cheekbones and lips. Her long hair fell in soft, auburn waves over her shoulders. Just a hint of cleavage showed. The dress wasn’t too sexy for a first date, but not too sedate either. She wanted to look attractive and feel confident, but not look like she was advertising anything or trying too hard. She adjusted and angled the mirror down a bit to see her high heel sandals. They showed off her legs and the new pedicure she’d painstakingly given herself.

Cory bit her lip and stepped back from the mirror. Maybe she should cancel. It was too soon. What was she thinking going out on a date?

Rolling her eyes at herself, she walked over to the bed and sat down. She was making too much of this. A simple dinner with her aunt’s spectacularly attractive lawyer. The perfect opportunity to form her own opinion about Sebastian’s intentions with her aunt. She certainly couldn’t rely on Finn’s, she didn’t know him either, and her first impression wasn’t exactly the best.

The chest and boxes on her nightstand caught her gaze. She ambled over and picked up the smallest one and studied the rose pattern. Trying to figure out the secret to opening the box was the distraction she needed to keep her occupied until Sebastian arrived.

“What’s your secret,” she whispered as she angled the box in all directions, staring at the design.

Some of the roses were just buds, the rest in varying stages of opening. Was that the answer? The fully opened roses, like opening the box?

There were seven fully bloomed roses. One on each side, except the bottom where there were two. Cory pressed against the opened blooms one at a time in different orders, but nothing happened. The possibilities were too numerous to keep track of in her head. She should probably write the orders down as she tried them.

She lost track of time as she tried each combination and recorded them as she progressed along. Holding the box in one hand, she wrote down the last one she tried. A tiny bit of give beneath her hand.

Cory froze. She lifted the container to look at the bottom. Her index finger pressed against the two roses at the same time. Applying more pressure, they gave way and she smiled.

She continued to hold the two down and then pushed the one rose on each individual side with her other hand, ending with the one on top.

The side of the box popped open.

She peered in to see another, smaller, carved wooden container. Tilting the rose box, the smaller container slipped into her palm.

Engravings of holly leaves and berries were carved along every surface. Once again, a verse graced the top.

Beware of deception and lies

The ones who covet and steal have spies

“Well, that’s not all hearts and flowers, is it?” Cory wondered if this was why her ancestors whispered of a curse.

The doorbell chimed giving her a start.

She set the box down and frowned. Her aunt wasn’t going to like what she’d found, maybe it would be better if she didn’t show her until she figured out how to open the entire set.

What’s with the cryptic verses anyway? Why can’t it be simple instructions like, push here? A smile stretched her lips. Because then it wouldn’t be interesting, would it? She read the words again. The box was well over hundred years old. Recalling the list of names and dates, she estimated it was probably closer to two hundred. Any bad guys the box refers to are long gone.

“Coralea? Sebastian is here.”

Cory did a quick check in the mirror before walking down the stairs to greet Sebastian and her aunt at the bottom. “Hello,” she said with a forced smile. Her stomach was suddenly doing a nervous dance prompting her desire to bolt.

Sebastian stepped forward to take her hand as she stepped on the bottom tread. “You look beautiful Coralea.”

She avoided his stare and murmured, “Thank you.” He wore black pants and a gray dress shirt which fit his lean build perfectly. He must have his clothes tailored.

Aunt Addy stood to the side of the stairs, smiling. Cory returned her smile and kissed her cheek.

“Have a wonderful time, dear. Sebastian take care of my niece.”

“I intend to, Adelaide.” He opened the door and stood waiting.

Meeting his gaze, Cory fought the desire to make an excuse and stay home. She straightened her shoulders and walked past him, being careful not to brush up against him. She was not going to give him the impression this date was going beyond dinner.

He opened the car door for her, and she slid onto the butter soft-gray leather seats, folded her hands in her lap, and stared straight ahead as he shut her door and walked around the front of the car and climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Is everything all right, Coralea? You seem a bit tense.”

So much for subtlety. “I’m fine, just fine.”

Cory sighed and closed her eyes briefly. Between the date and the spooky verse on the box, she’d gotten herself all worked up. She was being ridiculous. This was just dinner, and the box was just a box. “I’m sorry Sebastian. The truth is I’m a little nervous. It’s been a long time since I’ve been on a date.”

“Ah, I see. Well, that’s a relief. I was afraid I had done something to upset you.”

“What could you have possibly done? We just met.”

“One never knows what goes on in the mysterious female mind. We simple men try, but your depths terrify us while fascinating us at the same time.”

She chuckled and glanced out of the window. “All part of our plan.”

The drive to the restaurant was brief, but Cory found herself relaxing and looking forward to the meal. Once he parked the car, Sebastian guided her to the restaurant with his hand gently resting against her lower back. The Tudor style building resembled an old-fashioned inn. The wooden sign proclaimed they had a banquet hall and reception rooms available.

“I’ve heard they have excellent food here, but I have to confess I’ve yet to sample it myself. So please don’t judge me too harshly if it falls short.”

“I’m sure it will be delicious, but if not, I promise not to hold it against you.” She peeked at him beneath her lashes. “Not too much anyway.”

The interior’s dark wood paneling, atmospheric lighting, upholstered settees, and the vases of flowers scattered throughout the room all combined for a welcoming vibe. The hostess led them to a quiet table for two in the corner with a large window that overlooked a charming brook.

After ordering a bottle of wine, Sebastian settled back in his chair and smiled. “So Coralea, tell me something about you.”

Cory opened the linen napkin and smoothed it over her lap. “Well, in a nutshell, I’m an unemployed, recent divorcee, who has moved to a new state to live with her great aunt and figure out what to do with the rest of her life. How about you?”

“All right. I’m a single, employed lawyer, who doesn’t have a plan for the rest of his life and frankly doesn’t see the need for one. Now tell me something that interests you. What do you enjoy doing just for you, not for anyone else, not for financial gain?”

Cory thanked the waiter for the glass of white wine and took a small sip as she pondered his question. She waited until the waiter left with their dinner order. “I don’t really have any hobbies, so it’s difficult to answer. Until recently, I worked incredibly long hours, so I didn’t develop any hobbies. What interests you?”

“I like to swim, but you’re not getting off that easy. There must be something you’re looking forward to doing now that you do have the time.”

What did interest her? Was she so boring, there was no answer? She liked to read on occasion or see a funny movie, but she couldn’t say she had a genuine passion for either. She could take or leave sports. She had no musical ability, or artistic either. The only thing she’d done lately which had brought her any joy, was gardening. Perhaps there was something after all. “I spent a considerable amount of time today in Aunt Addy’s flower beds, and I’m looking forward to making more progress with them tomorrow.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “Excellent.” He held her gaze as the food was delivered. “I’d say you’ve found your hobby.”

“Yes, I suppose I have.”

After sampling her meal, Cory glanced up at Sebastian. “It seems your contacts were accurate.”

Sebastian paused cutting his steak. One blond eyebrow shot up. “My contacts?”

“Whoever told you the food was good here. They were right.” The filet mignon melted in her mouth.

“Ah, yes, it seems they were.” He resumed cutting his steak. “Adelaide mentioned you’re from New York?”

“Originally, most recently New Jersey. And you, did you grow up here?”

“Connecticut is my home. You are an only child correct?”

“Yes, unfortunately. You?”

“Why unfortunately?”

“It was rather lonely. I often wished for siblings growing up. Do you have any brothers and sisters?”

“Yes, and I can honestly say I wished to be an only child from time to time, but isn’t that always the way? You had no cousins to play with, aunts, uncles?”

“Umm, no, both my parents are only children as well. Apparently, we’re not all that prolific. Are you the oldest or youngest, or somewhere in between?”

The waiter stopped at their table to check on their meals and inquire about dessert. Sebastian glanced at her over the dessert menu. “Coralea, what tempts you?”

“Nothing for me, thank you. The steak left no room.”

“How about we share something, chocolate cake, cheesecake, perhaps?”

“No, I’m quite full, but please order something for yourself.”

“Well, I’ll take a slice of the chocolate cake, and perhaps you will be tempted to join me.”

Cory just smiled in response. She didn’t really care for chocolate, so she wouldn’t be tempted in the least. With the meal coming to an end she realized she had learned surprisingly little about him. She was running out of time to question him about her aunt. “How did you meet Aunt Addy?”

“It’s a small town.” The waiter delivered the chocolate cake to the center of the table with two spoons. “Ah, here we are, looks divine, doesn’t it? You must try a bite Coralea.”

“Thanks, but I’m not much for chocolate.”

The dimple in his cheek deepened. “Isn’t that against human nature? How can you not like chocolate?”

“No explanation, I just don’t find it appealing.”

“You’re full of surprises, aren’t you, Coralea?”

“Sadly no, I’m an open book.”

“I wouldn’t say that at all. I think there are a wealth of surprises hiding behind those beautiful blue eyes of yours. I look forward to discovering each and every one.”

****

During the ride home, Cory sat stiffly in her seat. Her clenched fingers were beginning to ache from holding her purse tightly in her lap. She was confident he would try to kiss her goodnight, and she had no idea how to handle it. Should she just stick her hand out as soon as they got home and thank him for the evening? Sebastian was too polite to ignore a less than subtle hint, wasn’t he? Perhaps that was too rude. Maybe she should let him kiss her. Maybe he was a fabulous kisser and she’d be missing out. His motions seemed decidedly controlled and thought out, like he planned every move. He probably had kissing down to an art. Then again, with his spectacular looks he probably didn’t have to try all that hard to seduce a woman. Maybe he was an awful kisser, sloppy or quick and hard, or a combination of all three.

What if he didn’t even try to kiss her?

Did that mean he’d lost interest or just that he preferred to progress at a slower pace?

“You’re remarkedly quiet.”

“Are you planning to kiss me goodnight?” Oh God please don’t let that have been out loud!

An amused chuckle filled the car. “The thought had definitely crossed my mind. Are you in favor or against?”

Cory leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes. She’d obviously lost her mind. How could she have blurted that out? On the other hand, at least she knew he hadn’t lost interest. Not that she had decided whether she returned his interest.

“Honestly, I haven’t decided.”

“Fair enough. What are your arguments against? Perhaps I can assuage some of your reservations, so the outcome is more in my favor.”

Still leaning against the seat, she turned her head toward him. “You really are a lawyer, aren’t you?”

His gaze met hers briefly before returning to the road. “Was there a doubt?”

“Well there is the scenario you’re a con artist trying to swindle my sweet, elderly aunt.” Dodge that Mr. Marks. If you change the subject this time I’m going to hire someone to run a background check on you first thing in the morning.

Sebastian eased the car over to the side of the road and parked.

She tensed in her seat and looked around at the darkened street and woods surrounding the car. If he planned to kill her to get her out of the way, she was going to be really pissed off. She wished she’d worn flats instead of the sexy heels which were now pinching her feet. If she needed to make a run for it, she’d definitely have to go barefoot. Not that there appeared to be anywhere to run to.

One hand was still on the wheel and the other on the gear shift, when he turned his head to stare at her. “I don’t have copies of my diplomas from Yale, or Harvard Law on me, but I could show them to you if you’d like to come to my office. Of course, if I was really a con artist, I’d probably have the wherewithal to make decent copies. So, what do you propose I do to convince you of my authenticity?”

Cory studied his tight jaw and compressed lips, and then his hazel eyes staring daggers at her. He was decidedly angry, but why? Because he was offended, or because he was found out?

“Tell me Sebastian. If your elderly aunt suddenly switched lawyers after decades of using the same firm, and that same lawyer had her making changes to her will and God only knows what else, wouldn’t you be a bit concerned?”

He took a deep breath and frowned. “Point taken.”

Shifting in his seat, he used the door as a backrest. “Very well, Coralea, what can I do to relieve your mind?”

Mimicking his posture, she leaned back against the passenger door and crossed her arms over her chest. “How did you become Aunt Addy’s lawyer and why?”

“Did you ask Adelaide these questions?”

“Not yet, I didn’t want to upset her. Why?”

“For the same reason. I’ve come to care a great deal about her, and I don’t want her unduly upset.”

Did he know about her heart issues? Probably, he was her lawyer after all, but she wasn’t going to bring it up just in case.

“I met Adelaide at the grocery store. In the parking lot actually. I saw her unloading her shopping cart and simply assisted her. The next time I bumped into her in town she stopped to say hello, and we ended up having lunch. Over the course of that lunch, she learned I was a lawyer and started asking me questions about her will and estate. After answering those questions, she asked me to represent her. End of story.”

The explanation sounded simple, straightforward, and plausible. She had no way to be sure, so she would be doing some discreet investigating just to make certain he was on the up and up. An Internet search for starters and some casual questions to Aunt Addy. Maybe that box and it’s cryptic warning made her overly paranoid, but it fell to her to protect her aunt, and that’s just what she would do. Although, there was no reason to alienate Sebastian over what very well may be just her paranoia.

“I didn’t mean to offend you Sebastian. I’ll apologize if I did. I only have Aunt Addy’s best interests in mind, and I want to make sure no one is taking advantage of her.”

“Perhaps my pride was a bit bruised, but no apology is necessary. After all, we both want to protect Adelaide, do we not?”

Cory fiddled with the clasp on her purse. “Of course.”

Sebastian suddenly grinned. “Now was that the only reservation you had to kissing me, or is there another dragon I need to slay?”

She couldn’t help but laugh, as she was sure he intended.

Putting the car in drive, he continued the journey home. She stared at his profile a moment before turning forward herself. Did she have any other reservations? He was an exceedingly attractive man. They did share an enjoyable dinner together. Yet, she still knew remarkably little about him, but this was only their first date so that wasn’t really a valid argument. An uncommonly long time had passed since she’d been kissed, and she was nervous about it, but a kiss was just a kiss after all. Unless she made it more than that by debating it to death.

“No other reservations,” she stated as he drove into the driveway and parked.

Cory sensed his gaze on her but refused to look at him. She opened the door and hopped out, and then forced herself to stand still a moment and take a deep breath as he exited the car and walked around the front of the vehicle.

“For a moment, I thought you were going to make a run for it. Are you sure you don’t have any other reservations?”

He stood less than a foot away from her, smiling his megawatt smile.

“I guess my adolescent nerves decided to make a reappearance, but I think my adult ones have beat them back into submission for now.”

Sebastian chuckled, then he raised his hand and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You have an interesting way with words, Coralea.” His warm hand cupped her head with his thumb stroking softly along her jaw.

The warmth of his breath fanned against her cheek as he leaned in and brushed his lips against hers, once, twice, and then settled in on the third.

It wasn’t sloppy or hard, it was soft as a whisper.

He lifted his other hand to cup her cheek while he deepened the kiss.

Sebastian’s tongue tangled with hers as his fingers delved into her hair, angling her head closer.

Cory placed her palms flat against his chest, not sure whether to shove him away, or yank him closer. A second of clarity had her exerting the slightest pressure on his chest. He took the subtle hint and eased back from the embrace with a series of kisses against her lips and cheek, ending with a last soft kiss against her lips.

His thumbs softly stroked her cheeks before he dropped his hands and stepped back. “That was an exceedingly nice end to a thoroughly pleasant evening.” He placed his hand at her back and guided her up the stairs to the front door.

“I hope you will agree to see me again?”

Cory softly smiled as she opened the door. She wasn’t sure what to say to him and didn’t trust any words that might come out of her mouth just then. With her luck she’d blurt out what an astonishingly good kisser he was.

“Goodnight, Coralea.”

“Goodnight, Sebastian.”

After locking the door, she removed her heels and walked back to the kitchen to get a drink of water. Her aunt’s door was closed so she assumed she had already retired for the night.

She had planned on calling Melanie to dish about her date, but she hadn’t a clue how she felt about it so what could she really say? They had a pleasant evening and he’s a great kisser? That she could see herself slipping into a relationship with him rather easily and how could that be a good idea so soon after her divorce? Especially when she needed to figure out just what she was going to do for work and where she was going to live. And why couldn’t she just enjoy a dinner and kiss without over analyzing it to death?

Entering her room, she dropped down onto the bed and closed her eyes. She wasn’t going to give this another thought. If he called, she’d decide then if she wanted to go out again. Meanwhile tomorrow morning she would be doing a search on the Internet to verify what he told her and ease her mind. A good, okay, great kiss wasn’t going to distract her from making sure he was who he said he was.