Page 16 of Forever His Favorite (Possessive Billionaires, Precious Sweethearts #3)

Taylor pushed open the door of an elite private club with Dillon at his side. The air was thick with the stench of alcohol, bottles scattered across every surface.

Dillon’s expression was grim. “I did everything I could to convince Mr. Cantrell to go home, but he refuses to leave no matter what I say. It’s already gotten bad. I had to call you.”

Taylor’s brows drew together. “How long has he been like this?”

“He hasn’t left this room since the last three nights.

” Dillon hesitated. “He… he went to Miss Crawford’s house.

Wanted to reconcile. But the house was empty.

He’s been circling that place for weeks, and when he finally saw her, she refused to return to him.

Since then…” Dillon gestured helplessly toward the wreckage.

Taylor muttered under his breath, “Jesus Christ,” and strode further inside. His gaze fell on Lucas, slouched on the couch, glassy-eyed and broken. “How much longer is he going to keep doing this? He’s going to drink himself to death.”

Lucas stirred at the sound of their voices. His bleary eyes blinked open, unfocused, until they landed on Taylor. His lips curled into something between a laugh and a grimace.

“You came to get me?” His words slurred as he snatched his discarded coat off the couch and flung it at Taylor. “Get out. I’m not leaving. Meet me some other time.”

His voice cracked as he stumbled, but Taylor caught his shoulders, forcing him back down onto the couch. “Sit. Down,” Taylor barked.

Lucas tried to resist, but Taylor’s glare pinned him.

Taylor drew in a sharp, frustrated breath, his hand raking through his hair before snapping furiously, “You bastard, do you even know what’s going on with me?

My hospital is shutting down! Because someone powerful told several of my shareholders to pull their funding—left it as nothing but a shell! ”

He grabbed Lucas’s shoulders, his anger spilling over into a roar. “Do I even need to guess who this powerful man is at this point? Sebastian is taking revenge! All because of what I said to Emily!”

In the corner of the room, Dillon went deathly still.

His body stiffened, his casual posture snapping upright in fear for himself.

‘I’ve said so many cruel things to her. Over and over.

’ His legs felt weak, as if they might buckle beneath the weight of his own body, a faint shudder running through him. ‘…What’s going to happen to me?’

His eyes snapped to Lucas and Taylor, voice deathly silent. “Mr. Cantrell… our biggest projects… they’ve been getting pulled one by one these past few weeks. No explanation. Almost all of them are cancelled already.”

Taylor’s gaze locked on Lucas, fury thrumming through his veins. “Isn’t it clear?” he snapped. “Emily has already married Sebastian. She has no intention of coming back to you. And if you keep going like this, you and I will both end up on the street!”

Lucas’s head dropped lower, his hands dragging through his hair. His voice broke into a whisper. “What should I do… to get her back?”

“For fuck’s sake!” Taylor roared, dragging a hand down his face in exasperation.

But Lucas didn’t even look up.

He seemed detached from everything—business, money, the world. His body shook, collapsing under the weight of grief and alcohol, as though even breathing was too heavy a burden.

For a moment, pity flickered in Taylor’s eyes before his voice softened.

“Lucas, I remember when you were with Emily. She wanted your mother’s ring so badly, because it meant your family finally accepted her.

That you were ready to settle down. But you never gave it to her.

You never even proposed—not for an engagement, not for marriage.

Nothing. So why not just let her go now? ”

Lucas’s eyes burned suddenly, fire lighting in their depths. His lips pressed into a tight line as he swallowed hard. In one sharp motion, he shot to his feet.

He shoved past Taylor and Dillon, storming toward the door.

Taylor stumbled back, frowning. “What’s the hurry? Where are you—”

At the doorway, Lucas paused, his hand tightening on the frame.

“That ring… it was always Emily’s wish. To wear it. To marry me. I couldn’t give it to her then, but this time, I’ll erase every regret I ever left in her heart.”

Before anyone could stop him, he stormed out.

The door slammed shut, rattling the frame.

***

Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, smiling as she snapped a photo of her hand. The diamond on her finger caught the soft light, sparkling like fire. She sent the picture to Jeremy, her lips still curved in a shy smile.

Almost instantly, his video call came through. She answered, lifting her hand to the camera, flashing the ring proudly as her smile widened. “Well?” she teased. “Pretty, isn’t it?”

Jeremy’s eyes widened as he leaned closer to the screen. “Wait—Sebastian gave you this?”

Emily’s cheeks flushed as she nodded. “That’s my wedding ring. He bought it for me today.”

Jeremy stared at it for a long moment before smirking. “So… you’ve got that man wrapped around your finger already, don’t you?”

Emily’s brows knitted, and she chided sharply, though a small blush crept over her cheeks. “I don’t have anyone wrapped around my finger. Do you really think someone like Sebastian could ever be controlled by anyone?”

Jeremy chuckled knowingly. “I already figured as much. The man looks like the devil himself. No chance he’s any different with you.”

Emily turned her head to the side, biting her lip to hide her smile. When she looked back, her voice softened. “He’s not as cruel as everyone thinks. At first, I was terrified of him too. I thought he was dangerous. Even his eyes scared me. But after living with him, I realized he’s not like that.”

Jeremy snickered. “He’s just being nice to you. I’ve seen him outside. To everyone else, he’s still the same terrifying demon.”

Emily snorted with laughter, unable to hold it in.

Just then, the bedroom door creaked open. Sebastian stepped inside, already changed into his nightclothes. His eyes narrowed faintly, catching the tail end of her amusement.

“What are you talking about?” he asked.

Emily jumped slightly, ending the call in a hurry and setting the phone aside. “Nothing. Just talking to Jeremy,” she said quickly.

Sebastian came over and sat beside her on the bed. His gaze softened when it landed on her. He held out a glass. “Here. Drink this.”

Emily blinked at it, tilting her head. “What is it?”

“Something to help you sleep,” he replied. “You’ve been tense all day. This will calm you down.”

She looked from the glass to his eyes, her lips curling into a small pout. “Can I not? I don’t like medicines…”

A flicker of worry showed in his eyes. “Just a little,” he urged softly.

She still didn’t look convinced. So he lifted the glass to his lips, took a slow sip, then caught her face in his hand, tilting her chin up.

Before she could react, his mouth sealed over hers, warm and demanding, pouring the taste of the drink into her.

His lips moved against hers as she gasped, the burn of the liquor slipping down her throat mixed with the heat of his kiss.

Her eyes fluttered shut, breath caught in her throat as she swallowed. By the time he pulled back, her chest was rising and falling fast.

When he finally pulled back, his thumb brushing her cheek, his voice was low and rough. “Does it taste bad now?”

Her breath shuddered out of her. She shook her head quickly, denying it.

“Do you want me to continue?” he asked, already raising the glass to his mouth again, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

Her eyes widened. Before he could take another sip, she snatched the glass from his hand, cheeks flaming, and downed the rest in one go. The liquid burned down her throat, her blush deepening as she shoved the empty glass back at him and slipped beneath the covers, hiding her face.

Sebastian set the glass aside, a smirk tugging at his lips. In the next second, he climbed onto the bed, his body hovering over hers. His mouth captured hers in a deep, breath-stealing kiss before breaking away just enough for his lips to brush the corner of her mouth.

“I’ll help you relax more.”

***

The next morning, the shrill ring of her phone dragged Emily from sleep. Groggy, she reached blindly for it and pressed it to her ear.

“Hello?” Her voice was husky, ragged from the night before.

“Miss Emily, are you still asleep? Why does your voice sound so strange?” Harold’s curious voice floated from the other end.

Her cheeks flamed instantly. ‘Because I was screaming all night,’ she thought in embarrassment, clenching her eyes shut. Out loud, she cleared her throat and stammered, “Yes… I just woke up.”

A strong arm slid around her waist, pulling her back against a hard chest. Sebastian’s body molded against hers, his hand splaying across her stomach as his lips brushed the side of her neck. She sucked in a sharp breath as he nuzzled lazily into her skin.

“Alright, then,” Harold continued, cheerful and oblivious. “I called to ask if you’d like to go to a movie tonight. Remember that horror movie we talked about? The fifth part is out today. Jeremy said he’ll join too—so we can all go together.”

Emily blinked, distracted by Sebastian’s lips brushing her shoulder. “Oh, that’s tonight? Yes, I’ll join you.”

“Perfect!” Harold’s excitement nearly crackled through the phone. “I’ll pick you up, and then we’ll meet Jeremy at the theater.”

“Okay.” Emily hung up quickly, setting the phone on the table. She tried slipping out of bed, but Sebastian’s arm tightened like iron around her waist, yanking her back down.

His face slid into the curve of her neck, his breath tickling her skin. She turned slightly, raising a brow. “What are you doing?”

His lips curved into a slow smile. “I’ll help you take a bath.”

Emily rolled her eyes and chided, though her cheeks heated. “You always grab me the moment you get a chance. Even Harold heard my voice just now—thank God he didn’t realize why it was rough.”

Sebastian’s lips brushed against her skin, a mischievous curve on his mouth. “Then, Mrs. Graves, you may punish me for my wrongdoings right now.”

“You’re impossible!” she groaned, laughing as she shoved him back.

She darted out of bed, making a run for the washroom. But the moment her hand touched the handle, a larger hand closed over hers.

She froze, glancing up—only to find Sebastian towering behind her, a wicked grin curving his lips as he pushed the door open and followed her in.

***

That evening, Emily quietly pushed open the study door.

“Sebastian?” she called from the doorway.

Sebastian was still buried in files, his sharp eyes flicking up at her. He hummed, waiting.

“I’m heading out for movie night,” she said with a smile. “Bye-bye.” She blew him a playful kiss.

His gaze softened. “Be safe. Call me if you want a ride back. I’ll come get you.”

Her heart skipped. He always went above and beyond for her—every little gesture chipped away at her defenses. She fought the urge to run in and kiss him senseless. But if she did that, he’d never let her step out tonight, and she’d miss movie night.

So she swallowed the urge, smiled, and answered quickly, “I will. Thank you, baby.”

The moment she spoke, Sebastian froze, his back snapping straight as if the words had sent a jolt through him. 'This is the first time she’s called me 'baby',' he thought. His dark eyes narrowed, hooded with raw hunger, and his lips parted ever so slightly.

His voice dropped, raspy, hunger flooding his gaze. “Say that again.”

Emily’s cheeks flamed. She grinned mischievously, blew him another kiss, and teased, “No.”

Before he could react, she spun on her heel and darted away.

“Emily!” His voice boomed after her, followed by the scrape of his chair.

Giggling, she ran faster before he could catch her.

***

After the movie ended, Emily lingered on the curb, her breath fogging in the cold as she waited for Harold to finish in the restroom.

Jeremy had already gone home. The street was mostly quiet now, the evening crowd long gone, though a few late stragglers lingered beneath the soft glow of the streetlights.

Emily hummed to herself and tilted her face up to the wind, eyes closed for a moment. Suddenly, something covered her nose and mouth. The world tilted. A toxic sweetness filled her head and vertigo swallowed her; she crumpled, consciousness slipping away.

A hand closed under her shoulders and lifted.

She felt weight against her back, the press of a strong arm, the scrape of fabric.

Someone carried her, fast and careful, toward a waiting car.

A man pushed the door open and shoved her inside.

The faint sound of an engine starting filled her ears as the world tipped and spun.

A pair of blue shoes flashed in her peripheral vision, and instinctively, fear clawed at her chest.

A while later Harold emerged from the bathroom, wiping his damp hands on his jacket as his eyes swept the exit. The street was deserted, the faint hum of the vending machine the only sound. A shiver traced his spine—the crowd that had filled the cinema earlier was also gone.

“Miss Emily?” he called, his voice carrying into the stillness.

He frowned, stepping further out. “Miss Emily?” This time his tone sharpened with unease. No response. The silence pressed against his ears.

His throat tightened. Snatching his phone, he dialed her number. Nothing. Not even a ring. Just dead silence.