Selena hadn't meant to spend the entire afternoon in the library. It just happened. One book turned into another. Then another. At some point, she stopped reading properly and just sat there, flipping pages, letting the quiet settle around her. It wasn't the same quiet she was used to. But it wasn't uncomfortable either. Just enough to keep her thoughts from getting too loud. A soft knock pulled her out of it. She looked up. Daniel stood at the door.
"Miss Selena," he said politely, "would you like something prepared for you?"
She blinked, glancing at the window. The light had shifted.
"I didn't realize it was this late."
"It happens," he said with a small nod.
She smiled faintly.
"I'm alright for now. Thank you."
"If you need anything."
"I will."
He left quietly, closing the door behind him. Selena sat there for a moment longer, then closed the book in her lap. Maybe she had been hiding in here a little. Not from anything in particular. Just everything at once. She stood, stretching lightly before stepping out into the hallway. The penthouse was calm. She walked toward the living area and slowed.
Sebastian was already there. Not just back but settled.
Changed out of his suit and wearing a simple short and shirt, seated like he had been there for a while. He looked up when he sensed her. Their eyes met.
"You've been in the library," he said.
Selena leaned lightly against the edge of the doorway.
"Are you keeping track?"
"Not intentionally."
She smiled a little and stepped further in.
"I lost track of time."
"That happens sometimes."
A small silence followed, but it didn't stretch. It sat comfortably between them.
"I think it might be my favorite place here," she added.
"The library?"
"Yes."
"That's expected."
She tilted her head slightly.
"Why?"
"You own a bookstore of your own, so you'd naturally fit in a library."
Selena raised a brow.
"You've known me for how long?"
"Long enough to notice patterns."
She let out a quiet breath.
"Then you should know I don't always follow them."
Something in his expression shifted. Subtle.
"I'm starting to."
That caught her off guard more than she expected. She moved a little closer, stopping just short of where he stood.
"And what else have you noticed?"
He didn't answer immediately. Just looked at her. Not rushed. Not searching.
"That you hold back," he said.
Selena's breath softened.
"That makes two of us."
This time, the silence that followed felt different.
Closer.
Warmer.
She became aware of it slowly the space between them, the way her pulse had picked up just slightly.
"You should eat," he said.
"I will."
But neither of them moved. Selena's voice dropped, softer now.
"Do you ever slow down?"
"Not often."
"You should."
He studied her.
"Why?"
"Because not everything needs to be controlled."
A faint shift in his gaze.
"And you think I control everything?"
"I think you try to"
That lingered. She swallowed lightly. She hadn't realized how close she'd stepped until now. Or how aware she suddenly was of it.
"Sebastian"
She didn't finish. Didn't need to.
He stood.
Unhurried.
Closing the distance between them without breaking eye contact. Selena felt it immediately. That shift. Her breath catching, her fingers curling slightly at her side. He stopped in front of her. Close enough that she could feel the warmth of him. His hand lifted, brushing lightly along her cheek, tucking a strand of her hair back.The touch lingered.
Not asking.
Not forcing.
She didn't move away. That was all the answer he needed.
When he leaned in, his lips met hers softly at first.
A light brush.
Almost hesitant.
And just when it felt like it might end there, it didn't.
The kiss deepened.
Slowly.
His hand settled at her side, steady, grounding, as he guided the moment without rushing it. Selena inhaled softly, her hand rising instinctively to his shirt, holding on lightly. There was a brief moment where she hesitated and he felt it.
The pace shifted.
Not pulling away. Just easing enough for her to find her footing.
And she did.
Leaning into him, responding not perfectly, not confidently but honestly. That was when it changed.
The kiss grew firmer.
More certain.
His hold tightened slightly, keeping her there—not trapping, just anchoring. Selena felt it everywhere at once.
The closeness.
The warmth.
The way her thoughts blurred at the edges. When the kiss broke, it was only for a breath.
Just enough.
And then he was there again.
Closer this time.
Her back met the wall gently, his hand braced beside her as he kissed her again deeper, more certain, like whatever restraint he had been holding onto had loosened just enough. Selena's breath caught, her fingers tightening against him as she tried to keep up.
It wasn't overwhelming.
But it wasn't light either.
It was consuming in a quiet way.
When he finally pulled back, her breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling faster than she could hide. She looked at him. Really looked. And for once she didn't overthink it. She just felt it.
"Goodnight, Sebastian," she said softly.
His hand dropped from where it had rested near her. But his gaze stayed.
"Goodnight, Selena."
She walked away slowly. Not rushing. And when she closed her door, she leaned against it, eyes closed, her heart still racing. And for the first time, she didn't question staying.
-
Morning came with warmth. And the unmistakable scent of food. Selena stepped out, adjusting her sleeve slightly and paused. The dining table was full. Not just set, full A proper spread And for the first time since she arrived. Sebastian was already seated, eating, like it was normal. Like it had always been that way.
Annelise sat across from him, watching with quiet amusement.
"Well," she said as soon as she noticed Selena, "this is new."
Selena glanced at her, then back at Sebastian.
"What is?"
Annelise tilted her head slightly.
"He doesn't sit for breakfast. Ever."
Sebastian didn't respond. But Selena noticed it. The difference. She took her seat slowly.
"This looks incredible."
"Daniel takes pride in these things," Annelise said. "And clearly, he's trying to impress you."
Selena smiled faintly.
"He's doing a very good job."
They started eating.
The atmosphere was light but different.
Subtle.
Unspoken.
Annelise's gaze moved between them once. Then again. And this time
she didn't hide it. There was something in her expression. Not surprise. More like recognition. She leaned back slightly, studying Sebastian for a second longer than necessary.
Then Selena. And something softened.
"Interesting," she murmured under her breath.
Selena caught it.
"What is?"
"Nothing," Annelise said lightly, picking up her cup. "Just noticing things."
Selena frowned slightly but let it go.
After a while, Sebastian set his cutlery down.
"My parents host a charity event every year," he said.
Selena looked up.
"Oh?"
"I attend. Not out of obligation. I choose to."
Then he looked at her.
"Come with me".
Selena held his gaze.
"You want me there?"
"Yes "
Before she could respond, he reached into his pocket and placed a card on the table in front of her.
"You'll need something to wear."
Selena blinked.
"Sebastian, I don't think"
" I already have Daniel handle everything."
Not dismissive.
Just certain.
Annelise leaned forward immediately, eyes lighting up.
"Oh, now this is where I come in."
Selena glanced at her.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."
Annelise picked up the card, inspecting it with a grin.
"As long as there's a black card involved, I fully accept responsibility."
Sebastian didn't react.But there was the faintest shift in his expression. Selena shook her head, smiling despite herself.
"I feel like I've lost control of this already."
"You never had it," Annelise said easily, standing. "But don't worry, I have excellent taste."
Selena let out a soft laugh.
And just like that
everything moved forward.