Free The Man Without Rules by Tyffani Clark Kemp

her."
    Sebastian held the husband's gaze for a long moment. A lesser man would have backed down, but he never looked away, didn't even blink. After what felt like an eternity, Sebastian finally nodded, his respect for the man doubled, even if he didn't care for him.
    "Of course." They shook hands. The two of them had a mutual understanding and it made Sebastian respect Mariss all the more. Unfortunately for her, it also made his craving for her double.
    He looked up as Mariss walked into the restaurant. She was dressed in a black sheath dress, perfectly formed to her curvaceous body, and her hair was up in a simple French twist. He looked to her feet, but the red heels from earlier were gone, replaced with silver ones. The only red he could see on her was her full, brilliantly red lips, coated with a gloss that shown in the dim lighting.
    There was a happy smile on her face when she saw her husband, but when her eyes caught his, she faltered. Sebastian let his gaze smolder.
    Mariss made her way to them slowly, her eyes never leaving his. When she reached them, the husband stood and embraced his wife. He pressed a soft kiss just below her ear and Sebastian watched her eyes flutter for a moment, before they flew open and went straight to him. He smirked to let her know that he'd seen and he'd take full advantage of his new knowledge.
    "Mrs. Red." Sebastian stood slowly, pulling himself up straight and tall. He leaned to kiss her cheek and she offered it politely.
    "Mr. Boa."
    "Sebastian," he admonished softly.
    Mariss looked up at him, her eyes guarded and cautious. She nodded and took her seat across from the husband.
    "Sebastian and I are going to be working together," she said.
    Sebastian watched the husband's face.
    "Oh, really? How so?"
    "He's buying into the company. You get plenty out of it yourself, though, don't you?"
    "Well, of course." He watched her over his wine glass. She stared back intently. "I wanted to extend my condolences to you as well, Mr. Red. I am sorry to hear about the loss of your child."
    The husband nodded. "Thank you. We appreciate that. Tell me more about this project."
    "We met today," Mariss told him, "to discuss a merger and I gave Sebastian a tour of the offices."
    The husband smiled. "I bet that was entertaining."
    "Quite feminine," Sebastian agreed.
    The husband chuckled. Sebastian shook his head. He might have to start calling the man by his name.
    Mariss looked from one to the other, rolled her eyes and slouched into her seat. She looked so defeated and tired.
    "Are you alright?" The husband asked.
    Mariss nodded.
    Sebastian watched her fidget with her hands in her lap. She looked lovely. Small diamonds twinkled in her ears and at her throat. With her eyes downcast, she looked so small and vulnerable. Not at all the powerful woman who'd created her own empire.
    "I'll go," Sebastian said. Mariss' eyes snapped up to his. "I can take a hint. Thank you for the drink," he said to the husband and dropped some bills on the table. "I'll pay for the bottle. Please, enjoy it." He stood and held his hand out to Mariss. "No need to stand, Mrs. Red. I look forward to meeting with you next weekend."
    She stared at him, slack-jawed. In truth, he wanted her more than ever before. Sebastian made it out the door and sent a text for his car to be brought around.
    "Sebastian."
    He turned at her voice. "I'm going, Red. You don't need to see me off."
    "I was going to tell you to come back inside."
    "You don't want me here."
    "No, that's not true. I don't want to want you here." She chuckled. "I don't want you to be friends with my husband."
    Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" That could either be good or bad.
    "He's a good man, though a bit intense. With your feelings for me, or whatever you want to call it, you don't deserve to be his friend, and he doesn't deserve to be hurt as you try to take me from him. I won't allow that."
    Her love for her husband was overwhelming. "Alright. I respect that."
    Mariss