Filed to story: Once Upon a One Night Mistake Book PDF Free by Simone Shirazi
Outside of her room, he could deny anything had happened. When she woke, he would continue to treat her like the conniving bitch she was, and he knew without a doubt she’d play along. He wasn’t the only one who wanted Sebastian to stay in the dark about their shared history and decision to relive it.
Once the door clicked shut behind him, Michael was safe, currently in the range of plausible deniability.
Or so he thought.
“You can’t be fucking serious.”
Michael squeezed his eyes shut tight, willing the girl who was wearing Sebastian’s shirt and standing at the end of the hall to disappear. When he reopened them and she was still there, he knew he had to act.
“Mon petit monstre,” he purred, tucking his clothes under his arm as he moved toward her, a predator stalking its prey. “You’re certainly up early. Were you looking for me, babe? I know you’re not getting any from Sebastian right now, so if you’re looking for someone to help you express all that pent-up energy, I’m always willing to help.”
Taliana looked momentarily thrown by the greeting, which had been his goal. The last thing he needed was for this violent disaster of a girl to report back to her ex-boyfriend about what she’d seen. For once, his selected term of endearment seemed to suit her.
My little monster.
Unfortunately, she was quick to recover, eyes narrowing as she folded her arms across her chest. “You’re gonna pull that line on me after walking out of Blair’s room? Seriously?”
“I have no idea what you’re-“
“Cut the bullshit, Michael, it’s me.”
It only took a moment for the smirk to drop away and a scowl to take its place. Before he could stop himself, he was taking a step closer, backing her into the corner of the hall.
“You didn’t see anything, all right?” he snapped, dipping his head so they were eye to eye. “Don’t make assumptions when it comes to things you know nothing about, Talia.”
When she drew up to her full height, Michael contemplated easing back. He knew what kind of damage she was capable of and wasn’t interested in being on the receiving end of it like Sebastian had been in the past.
“Don’t try to threaten me,” she said, thrusting a finger into his chest. “You should know better than that.”
He could feel his hands balling at his sides, but the anger left a second later in a rush, knowing this was one person he’d never be able to charm or intimidate. Plus, her violence was a major turn off, the main reason why he’d never been able to find himself attracted to her.
Still, that never stopped him from letting the innuendos drip from his tongue whenever she was around. Taunting her was a joy.
“Look, Stick Girl, you can’t say anything. The last thing I need is for-“
“Sebastian to find out his best friend is sleeping with his ex? And why do I get a feeling this wasn’t just a one-time thing?”
Michael ran a hand across his close-cropped hair, the strands prickly against his palm. “Because it wasn’t.” He sighed, figuring for some strange reason that he could confide in her. After all, this same girl had once cried her heart out in his arms. It was hard to deny that they’d developed a certain trust for one another after that ordeal, and now here he was, finding himself in his own awkward moment with her. “Blair and I have always kind of had a…thing.”
“What do you mean by ‘always’?” she asked cautiously, arms dropping back to her sides, the tension easing.
“Well, I mean, I lost my virginity to her all those years ago, and they say you never forget your first, so-“
“Oh, Jesus, I didn’t need to know that.” Taliana gagged. “Although I guess I get the point now. But…you guys weren’t hooking up when she was with Sebastian, right?”
“Of course not.” He scowled. “I’m an asshole, but I’m not cruel.”
“Good.” Her answer was succinct, but from the way she was shifting her weight from foot to foot, she was unsure of what to say next. “Michael, I-I have to ask. Do you love her?”
He rolled his eyes so hard he saw spots. “After all the shit she’s done? I don’t think anyone could ever love her, especially me.”
Taliana winced, and Michael quickly realized how harsh his words had sounded. But he didn’t regret them; he couldn’t-absolutely wouldn’t-let himself love her again. This was how it had to be.
“Look, can we both pretend we didn’t see each other out here?” he offered, taking in her outfit once again. “You obviously just rolled out of Seb’s bed, and no one is going to let you live that down unless you decide to take him back. Wait,? did you take him back?”
“No, and it’s not happening any time soon, let’s make that clear,” she said, and Michael knew she was serious.
Those two were a mess, but it was clear they belonged together. He’d been able to see that from the start-well, maybe not the start, since up until a few months ago she’d still been trying to kill Sebastian, but the second they’d started getting to know each other, Michael knew the two were doomed to spend the rest of their miserable existences together.
But he also knew Sebastian had royally fucked up. Yes, Seb was his best friend, but the things he had put Taliana through…it wasn’t okay. It was going to take time for her to work past that and forgive him. If she could manage it, and if Seb didn’t do anything else stupid-which, really, was asking for a lot-Michael had a feeling his friend and this stick-thin demon would be just fine.
“But you’ll get back together eventually,” he added, a genuine smirk tugging at his lips. “Maybe not tomorrow, and maybe not even next year, but it’ll happen one day. Let’s make that clear.”
A blush crept up her neck and into her cheeks, and Michael couldn’t help but cackle at the sight of it.
“Shut up,” she mumbled, shoving past him as she started down the hall. “I never saw you here, okay? Your secret’s safe.”
“So is yours, sugartits.” He grinned, watching her leave. “Enjoy your empty bed.”
Her farewell came in the form of a bold middle finger.
“That’s my girl.”
52
An Arabian Night
As much as he loved the Sultan’s Palace, the restaurant was the last place Sebastian wanted to be on this muggy late-June night. Especially since it meant dining with the entire Bakhtiar family.
“I wish I had the ability to say no to you. It would certainly save me some trouble.”
Sebastian rolled his eyes and nudged Taliana into moving again, certainly not about to let this moment of hesitance stop them. They’d made it this far, and he wasn’t about to do this alone.
“Look, it’s not like we have to stay long. All we have to do is walk in, look like a happy couple, say hi to some people, and make it obvious Blair and I are no longer together. Then we can leave, okay?”
“I think it’s the look like a happy couple part I have a problem with,” Taliana grumbled but didn’t try to brush his hand off her shoulder. “We’re not together, remember?”