Page 54 of Forever His Favorite
“Emily, listen to me!” His voice rang out, but she ignored it, her heart racing.
The elevator dinged open. Without a second thought, she slipped inside, slamming the button to close the doors. Her chest heaved as the metal barrier began to slide shut.
He stepped inside just in time, his eyes flickering in relief.
She shifted to the back, putting distance between them. He moved closer, placing a hand on her waist, trying to draw her toward him.
“Are you angry?” he asked softly, his hand warm against her side.
Emily shoved his hand away, putting space between them again. “Don’t talk to me. I don’t talk to cheaters,” she snapped.
Sebastian straightened at once, eyes wide, incredulous. “Who’s cheating on you?”
Emily’s eyes narrowed, sharp and accusing. “How many women do you love, exactly? How many are getting gifts from you?”
Sebastian’s lips curved, though his eyes burned with intensity. He hid his smile as if her accusations amused him, though his calmness only made her angrier. “How many women do you think I’ve had?” he asked evenly, his voice smooth but edged with challenge. “Do you really think your husband has that much time to waste?”
Emily folded her arms tightly across her chest, her nails digging into her skin. Her glare didn’t waver. “You said it yourself—that jewelry is for a woman you’ve had a crush on forever. So why are you lying now? You already admitted it was for someone else!”
In one swift movement, Sebastian’s arm snaked around her waist, dragging her flush against him. She gasped, hands braced against his chest, pushing hard—but he didn’t budge. His strength pinned her in place.
“I didn’t lie to you,” he said. His other hand slid up, fingers gentle as they cupped her jaw, tilting her face up until her eyes were forced to lock with his. His breath fanned her lips. “Youare the woman I’ve had a crush on for years.”
Emily’s eyes widened, fury sparking. “Stop lying already! I don’t like liars.” Her voice trembled, breaking between anger and pain. She shoved at his chest again, her words tumbling out in a rush. “If there’s another woman you like, then go to her. I don’t want to be with you. I’m not forcing you. I’ll get a divorce today. Let’s go to the courthouse right now!”
Her hand reached over and jabbed the button for the ground floor.
Sebastian’s hand shot out at the same time, pressing the red button. The elevator jolted, then shuddered to a halt. Emily’s eyes darted to the frozen numbers.
Sebastian stepped toward her, his presence overwhelming in the confined space. His arm rose, resting above her head against the wall, while his other palm pressed flat beside her shoulder, caging her in.
“Baby…” his voice dropped to a husky whisper, rich with both plea and command, “you are that woman. Don’t you understand that?”
Before she could argue, his mouth brushed hers, a quick, searing kiss that left her trembling. He pulled back just enough to point at his face, his eyes locked on hers with piercing intensity. “You met me when we were young.”
Her breath caught as he turned his hand, showing her the ring on his pinkie. The metal glinted under the dim elevator light. “You gave me this. I have liked you since then.”
Emily’s lips parted, the denial poised on her tongue. “How can you lie abou—”
But her words froze. A memory surged forward—her own voice, weeks ago, when they were buying rings. The ring. Her childhood. That one fleeting moment. Her throat tightened as realization dawned, breaking through her anger.
Sebastian’s eyes held her gaze as a faint smile tugged at his lips. “Do you remember me now?”
Emily blinked, shock spreading across her features. “Wait… you are that little boy? The one I gave the ring to when I was young?”
He tilted her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. His thumb brushed over her skin, softening the intensity of his grip. “Took you long enough, baby.”
Her heart thudded violently in her chest. “Are you serious? You’re him… What happened to you? I… I don’t understand.”
Sebastian’s expression shifted, his features softening. He stroked her cheek, his thumb lingering. His voice lowered, rough with memory.
“I was kidnapped. After I escaped, I stumbled across you. You gave me that ring… right before the police found me and I was taken home. I wanted to find you again—I searched—but I couldn’t.” His jaw clenched, the memory flickering behind his eyes. “I was too young to remember the street, the house, even the area.”
His gaze darkened as he went on, his thumb still caressing her cheek like she might disappear again. “Years later, I ran intoAdam. And through him… I finally found you. I recognized you instantly.”
Emily’s lip trembled, disbelief and wonder warring in her expression. “So… you’ve had a crush on me all this time?” Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Why didn’t you ever tell me earlier?”
He reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle yet possessive. “I wanted to after you graduated. But then you got together with Lucas. I never got my chance… not until you broke up.”
