The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 12

What if he thought she talked too much and cut out her tongue?

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out, “Sebastian.”

Riley looked up and saw Pierce entering the gazebo. The suffocating atmosphere had been so intense that she practically felt reborn. “Pierce, you're back.”

Sebastian heard the undeniable relief and joy in Riley's voice. He turned to see her stand up and walk over to Pierce's side.

Pierce steadied Riley before looking at Sebastian apologetically. “Sorry, I hit some traffic. I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

Sebastian's gaze lingered on Riley's hand gripping Pierce's for a split second. Without a word, he stepped out of the gazebo, his expression perfectly stoic.

Riley let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Noticing her relief and feeling the sweat on her palms, Pierce asked, “Did he scare you?”

Riley nodded honestly.

Pierce reassured her, “Don't be afraid. He just has an intimidating presence, but he's actually a good guy. Someone in his position of absolute power needs that kind of aura to keep everyone in line. Come on, let's go eat.”

“Okay.”

Pierce gently guided Riley out of the gazebo.

A light breeze blew past, and Riley caught a whiff of a faint, cloying perfume coming from Pierce's clothes.

She had smelled this in his car last time.

“Did you meet with that female client again?”

Pierce looked at her, confused. “Hmm?”

Riley leaned closer and took a discreet sniff. “It's that sweet perfume again.”

Pierce glanced at his clothes, which he hadn't had time to change. “Yeah, she wanted to go over the partnership details after the meeting. That's why I was late.”

But perfume doesn't just transfer casually unless there was close physical contact. Did discussing a contract require being that close?

Pierce considered himself composed, but Sebastian's gaze still unnerved him.

Realizing he might have overstepped, he forced a smile. “I don't mean to pry into your itinerary. I just wanted to know so I could arrange proper accommodations.”

Sebastian placed the food on his plate before answering coolly, “Two weeks.”

Pierce was genuinely shocked. St. John Global had operations all over the world. For the man running a multinational empire, time was incredibly precious.

It was practically measured in seconds.

To stay in Riverport for so long was unprecedented.

Two weeks... exactly when Riley's due date was.

Naturally, Pierce didn't flatter himself by thinking Sebastian was staying just to offer congratulations on the birth. His ego wasn't that massive.

Though intensely curious about what Sebastian planned to do in Riverport for two weeks, he didn't dare ask another question.