Page 164 of When We Ignite

“This. Giving him space,” she explained, nodding toward Sebastian. “He’s in a foul mood. Had the worst fight today—and it was public.” She looked genuinely offended on his behalf.

“With his dad?”

She nodded gravely. “Yeah. Warren’s backtracked on five investments Sebastian projected to finish this year. It’s bad.”

“Didn’t he step down? How does he even have power over Ash anymore?” I asked, irritation prickling at the edges of my voice. The thought of his father sabotaging him after everything Sebastian had done felt so fucking unfair.

“Warren and the board,” Aria said with a sigh. “Oliver says he didn’t interfere, but he went to Sebastian’s office yesterday, and that meeting was tense too. I think they’re fighting again, which is never a good sign.”

“About work?” My stomach clenched as she shook her head.

“Maybe it started that way, but Oliver usually keeps his temper with work issues. When it gets personal, that’s when things escalate. He left Sebastian’s office pissed.” She lowered her voice even further.

I bit my lip, guilt twisting in my chest.It had to be about the tennis match—everything had gotten worse after that.

“Shit. That’s bad.” I exhaled loudly, crossing my arms behind my head. I had no idea how to help Sebastian. Every time I tried, it felt like I was just making things worse. Offering sex seemed to be my only solution, but I knew he needed more than that.

“This trip will be good for him,” Aria said, her tone encouraging. “Get him out of the office and back to Spain. He loves it there. You’ll see—he turns into a different person.”

“I hope so.”

“He’s also so much more relaxed around you. You’re like Langley catnip or something.”

“What?” I asked, laughing despite myself.

“Sebastian’s not a warm and cuddly kind of guy. That side of him is reserved for his immediate family—maybe Henry on a good day—and, apparently, you.”

My face flushed. “And the other guys he fools around with,” I added quickly, trying to deflect.

Aria shook her head. “I wouldn’t know. I’ve never seen him in prolonged contact with any of them.” She gave me a knowing smile. “When I’ve seen them in passing, he’s polite, but he’s not…whatever the hell he is with you. I don’t even know how to describe it. He likes the gestures and the wooing, sure, but with you it’s…” She waved her hand, searching for the right words.

“It’s like he’s overindulgent.”

She snapped her fingers. “That’s exactly right. Like he’s spoiling you with attention and affection—both, I’m guessing. Have you noticed how the Langleys are not big on drifting from the pack? They don’t have friends outside of their circle. Henry and Oliver are more social, but Sebastian? He keeps to himself unless it’s for work or…well, you know. He doesn’t trust people easily.”

I tried not to let my heart swell at her words. “That’s because we have an arrangement.”

“No, it’s because he likes you. He trusts you because you’re in his inner circle—being Charlotte’s brother and all—but the way he acts isn’t because of that or your arrangement.”

I gave her a small smile and shrugged. “You’re not supposed to hype me up. Didn’t you get instructions on how to handle Ethan Bennett?”

She laughed. “I’m not trying to, but it’s nice seeing him like this. Sebastian’s much lonelier than he’d ever admit. He’s just got it in his head that intimacy equals weakness or something just as stupid.”

That sounded like him, but it didn’t quite match the man who held me after sex, kissed my skin like it was sacred, and tangled his limbs with mine.

“I was just as scandalized as anyone when I first found out about you two,” she added, her tone light, “but it doesn’t seem wrong. He’s sweet—words I never thought I’d associate with him.”

Heat crept up my face, and I turned my gaze back to Sebastian. He was still staring out the window, his profile tense but breathtaking.

By the time Sebastian rose from his seat and walked toward us, he looked utterly worn out—bone-tired in a way only mental exhaustion could cause.

He stopped by my chair and placed a hand on the back of it, his voice warm and calm despite the strain etched into his features. “I’m heading to bed, darling. I’ve got a bit of a headache. Feel free to stay here as long as you’d like.”

“I’ll come with you,” I replied quickly, already standing.

“You don’t have to. It’s still early. I’m sure you’re hungry, or?—”

“I’m not,” I cut him off firmly, meeting his gaze. “I want to.”