The Coldest Man in the Room Melted Only for Me novel Chapter 232

"Riley."

She froze. He rarely ever called her by her first name. She had lived with this name for nearly three decades, and countless people had used it, but for some inexplicable reason, hearing it in his deep baritone sent her pulse racing.

She steadied her breathing and turned around. The rear window was rolled down. His upper body was cloaked in the dark shadows of the car, hiding his expression completely. "Yes?"

Sebastian stared at her slender silhouette illuminated by the streetlamps. The torrential emotions he normally kept locked behind iron walls were currently bleeding through every word. "I really love it."

She blinked, confused. "Love what?"

He held her gaze, saying absolutely nothing, simply lifting his wrist. The deep sapphire cufflink caught the ambient light, gleaming softly in the night.

Oh. He meant the birthday gift. "I'm glad."

She waved again and quickly turned toward the lobby.

She could feel his heavy, magnetic stare burning into her back with every step.

For a terrifying second, she felt exactly like a girl being dropped off by a wildly possessive boyfriend, watching her walk to her door.

She was losing her mind. That was completely insane.

Where did she even get these delusional thoughts?

Riley practically sprinted into the building, only realizing how completely tense her body was once the lobby doors shut behind her.

She blew out a long breath.

He really was a terrifyingly powerful man. Just his stare was enough to induce a panic attack.

That weekend, Riley had a rare day off. She had kept in close contact with Jenna and Jayden, monitoring Jenna's recovery. Her physical wounds had mostly healed, so Riley had booked a session at a dance studio for her.

At first, Jenna had violently refused to leave the house. It took hours of gentle coaxing and psychological groundwork before she finally caved.

Riley drove to Jenna's house to pick her up personally.

Jenna refused to step outside without a surgical mask covering half her face.

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