Maya's POV
I stirred awake gradually, my body feeling languid and thoroughly satisfied from the night before. Every muscle carried that sweet ache that comes from hours of incredible passion.
The Egyptian cotton sheets felt like silk against my bare skin as I stretched, a contented smile playing on my lips. Last night had been worth every penny I'd scraped together.
I sighed happily and rolled toward the other side of the bed, expecting to find Sebastian's warm body waiting for me.
Instead, I found cold, empty space.
My eyes snapped open. The spot where he should have been was vacant, the sheets barely wrinkled. No trace of his presence remained.
Seriously? The escort just vanished without a word?
I stared at the ceiling, processing this development. Not even a quick goodbye? Not a single moment of post-encounter courtesy?
What a professional charmer.
Well... expensive charmer, technically.
I should have expected this exact scenario.
So why did disappointment settle in my chest like a heavy stone?
Perhaps... perhaps I could book him again sometime. If I managed to save enough money, maybe another evening wouldn't be impossible...
Stop it right there!
I shook my head vigorously, banishing the ridiculous notion like swatting away a persistent fly.
"Get a grip, Maya. He's an escort doing his job. You got exactly what you paid for."
Was I genuinely contemplating blowing my savings on a male escort?
Heaven help me.
Still though...
A simple note saying 'thanks for an incredible night' would have been thoughtful, wouldn't it?
I climbed out of bed, grumbling to myself, and wrapped the sheet around my body before wandering into the suite's main area. That's when I spotted something that made me stop dead in my tracks.
An elaborate breakfast display worthy of a five-star hotel.
I stood there gaping.
Fresh pastries that looked like artwork. Imported fruits arranged like a rainbow. Coffee in china so delicate it probably cost more than my monthly salary.
I squinted suspiciously.
"Huh... strange. Did I somehow order some deluxe package without realizing it?"
Before I could analyze it further, my empty stomach made the decision. Food was food, and it was sitting right there.
I settled down and devoured everything like I'd been stranded on a desert island.
After consuming what felt like enough calories to fuel a marathon, I headed for the bathroom. At least Sebastian had left me access to an amazing shower experience.
And what an experience it was! The shower had more controls than mission control, and I spent several minutes experimenting with different water pressure settings like a child with a new toy.
Following my luxurious bath, reality finally crashed back down. I had responsibilities. Work obligations.
My phone was completely dead. My self-respect was hanging by a thread. My duty to my employer was unfortunately still intact.
Going home first seemed pointless, so I ducked into a nearby shop and grabbed some basic jeans and a casual top. No chance I was strutting into work wearing last night's cocktail dress.
Within an hour, I was walking through the boutique doors, exhausted but functional.
Or so I believed, until I saw exactly who was waiting inside.
My eyes bulged. My heart slammed against my ribs like it was trying to escape. My purse tumbled off my shoulder and crashed to the floor.
"Holy crap!" I gasped, slapping a hand over my mouth.
Sebastian. Grinning. Immaculate. And completely shameless, standing there like he belonged in my workplace.
"What the hell are you doing here?" The words squeaked out several octaves higher than normal.
He flashed that maddeningly casual smile.
"Couldn't stay away, gorgeous."
"Don't you dare call me that." My gaze shot around frantically, praying no one overheard.
"You seemed to enjoy it last night."
Arrogant bastard.
I had zero patience for whatever game he was playing. Especially not after he'd disappeared from my bed like some kind of phantom.
That's when my boss materialized, practically glowing with excitement.
"Maya! Perfect timing! We have an extremely important customer! He specifically requested your assistance."
My eye began to twitch.
"He what?"
She beamed like she'd just won the lottery, completely oblivious to the smug energy radiating from Sebastian.
"Mr. Sterling is shopping for a wedding gown, and he insists that only you can help him make the right choice."
I felt my throat constrict.
I stared at Sebastian. Then at my boss. Then back at Sebastian again.
That's when understanding dawned.
He was messing with me.
He had to be.
"Oh, fantastic. So now you have some bizarre obsession with bridal wear?"
Sebastian's smile widened, clearly enjoying my discomfort.
"Perhaps."
I turned toward my boss.
"Are you certain he's... genuinely interested in purchasing a gown?"
"Completely! He's already examined several options, but he says he needs your expert opinion."
I whipped back around to face him.
"What kind of sick game is this?"
He simply cocked his head innocently.
"Come on, Maya. You're in the wedding dress business. I need a wedding dress. What's confusing about that?"
'Everything is confusing about this, Sebastian! Every single thing!'
But my boss stood right there, looking like she'd terminate my employment if I refused this request.
So I closed my eyes and counted to ten.
"Fine. Let's get this nightmare over with."
The following twenty minutes involved me presenting Sebastian with various gown options. He dismissed each one immediately. He was obviously here to torment me. To watch me struggle. To entertain himself while I attempted to maintain professionalism instead of beating him senseless with a dress hanger in front of my supervisor.
"What about this design?" My voice dripped fake sweetness, though mentally I was imagining creative ways to murder him.
"You're absolutely stunning when you're furious."
My brain completely malfunctioned.
"What did you just say?!"
He shrugged casually, lifting another gown and positioning it against my body, like he was picturing me wearing it—or worse, removing it entirely.
"Just trying to make a decision here..." he announced loudly for my boss's ears, then dropped his voice to a sinful whisper. "Wondering if you look more beautiful when you're angry... or when you're screaming my name."
Every cell in my body turned to stone.
"Sebastian!" I hissed, my face blazing with heat.
He just gave me that devilish grin.
"We should definitely test that theory again. But for now..." His eyes traveled down my body slowly as he held the dress up, tilting his head with that infuriatingly analytical expression. "This one's nice, but you need something with more fire, don't you think?"
"Sebastian, are you actually shopping for a dress, or did you just come here to destroy my sanity?" I demanded through gritted teeth.
He considered this thoughtfully.
"Both."
My blood pressure shot through the roof so fast I saw stars.
"Now show me your absolute favorite."
My last thread of patience snapped completely.
"My what now?"
"Your favorite dress in the entire store."
I stared at him blankly.
"You want to see my favorite dress?"
I grabbed an exquisite Maison Beaumont creation—one of the most exclusive, breathtaking gowns we carried—and ran my palm along the perfect fabric, the silk flowing like water beneath my fingers. It was a dress designed for princesses, the kind of masterpiece every woman fantasized about wearing as she glided down the aisle, radiating elegance and grace.
And naturally, it cost a fortune.
I took a steadying breath, lifted the gown carefully, and faced Sebastian, preparing myself for another round of his twisted entertainment.
He looked at me. Then at the dress.
And then he spoke the words that made my world stop spinning.
"I'll buy it."
I blinked rapidly, certain I'd misheard.
"I'm sorry... what?"
"I'll take this dress."
My stomach dropped into my shoes.
"For what purpose?"
He raised an eyebrow like I'd asked the stupidest question imaginable.
"For my fiancée." He paused dramatically, then added with that infuriating smirk, "Unless you think people purchase wedding gowns for casual wear?"
My entire world crumbled.
"You're engaged?!"
Oh God. I'd slept with someone else's man? Nausea rolled through me as guilt crashed over me like a tidal wave.