His Plump Mate (Book 1: The 'His' Series) novel Chapter 181

**Chapter 180: A Woman’s Cry**

*Cecilia’s POV*

As I stepped back into the dining area, I was greeted by an unexpected sight. Sebastian had transformed the table into a scene of culinary delight, presenting a breakfast that looked as if it had been crafted by a master chef. A vibrant garden salad glistened with dew, perfectly fried eggs sat nestled beside golden-brown toast slathered with homemade jam, and a delicate pastry that appeared to have just emerged from the oven beckoned me with its flaky layers. A glass of cold milk stood proudly, completing the tableau.

“This looks amazing,” I remarked, settling into my chair with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.

With my fork and knife in hand, I took small, deliberate bites, attempting to savor the meal while pushing aside the unsettling thoughts that had plagued me since my arrival at his villa. The discoveries I had made felt like shadows lurking at the edges of my mind.

Sebastian, however, was not partaking in the feast. Instead, he remained seated, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

Initially, I tried to ignore his unwavering gaze, concentrating on the food in front of me and avoiding his penetrating stare. But as silence stretched between us, the weight of his attention became impossible to dismiss.

I self-consciously brushed my fingers against my cheek. “Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked, a hint of irritation creeping into my voice.

“I’m just curious why my brilliant secretary isn’t questioning the origin of this delightful spread,” Sebastian replied, his tone low and compelling, the Alpha authority seeping through his words.

I scooped a morsel of pastry, feigning indifference even as my heart raced in my chest. “What’s there to question? It clearly belongs to whoever lives here—namely, you.”

“You know I haven’t been here recently,” he replied, his gaze unwavering, as if daring me to challenge him.

A smile crept onto my lips, though it didn’t quite reach my eyes. “Well, you were here last night. Surely you had your staff deliver it this morning.” I stirred the cream on my pastry, feigning fascination with the way it swirled in the little dish.

“Cecilia!” His voice had taken on a sharper edge, a chill creeping into the air between us.

When I glanced up, I found his expression had turned icy, his Alpha dominance radiating from him like an unyielding force across the table.

I set down my spoon with a dramatic sigh. “For Moon’s sake, you’re impossible! If I ask, you get mad. If I don’t ask, you still get mad. What’s the right move here, Sebastian?” The words slipped out sharper than I had intended, a mix of frustration and confusion.

Sebastian rubbed his brow, a gesture that momentarily stripped away his imposing demeanor, revealing a glimpse of the man beneath the Alpha exterior. He exhaled deeply, as if surrendering a long-held secret.

“My sister crashed here last month. That food? It’s hers.”

I blinked, taken aback by this revelation. “Your sister? Seriously?” I had been completely unaware that he had a sister.

For all the intimacy we had shared, there were still fundamental aspects of his life that remained a mystery to me—a realization that left me feeling strangely unmoored.

He raised an eyebrow, challenging me. “Don’t believe me? Should I call her and put her on speaker?”

His phone was already halfway out of his pocket, his thumb poised over the screen, ready to dial.

“Whoa, whoa—no need for a family conference call,” I interjected hastily, waving my hands in protest.

The last thing I wanted was to speak with another member of the Black family, especially after the tension that had just unfolded between Sebastian and me.

I barely made it three steps before I was lifted off the ground, one strong arm cradling my legs while the other supported my back. He swept me up as if I were nothing more than a feather.

“Sebastian! What the hell? Put me down!” I protested, smacking his chest, but my efforts felt futile—like hitting a brick wall.

He carried me effortlessly to the sofa, depositing me there with a gentle yet firm motion before leaning down, capturing my mouth with his in a kiss that was both demanding and possessive.

I pressed my hands against his chest, attempting to create some space between us, but Sebastian was unyielding, and my human strength was no match for the Alpha wolf before me.

My resistance began to crumble as his mint-flavored lips pressed against mine, urging me to surrender. He was angry, and I felt the same, but the heat of the moment ignited something within me.

Frustrated, I bit down on his invading tongue.

Sebastian winced but didn’t pull away. Instead, he deepened the kiss, the metallic tang of blood mingling with our shared breath, his determination to claim me unwavering.

I had intended to bite him again, to push him away, but something inside me softened, melting my resolve.

My hands gradually moved to encircle his neck, surrendering to the kiss, matching his passion with equal fervor.

We embraced deeply, the intensity between us electric and addictive. Each touch, each taste of him was intoxicating, blurring the lines of my frustration and making me forget why I had been upset in the first place.

Suddenly, a woman’s sharp, startled scream sliced through the air, breaking the spell we were under.