A Night of Desire

Sarah only managed to let out an "Hey!" at her retreating back before Clara had already disappeared out the door.

She glanced at Seth Quinn, shrugged, and smiled. "Clara’s always saying I’m impulsive, but sometimes, she’s even more so than I am."

Seth Quinn watched her without a word. Sarah smiled again and sat down in a chair by the window. "President Quinn, if you need anything—some fruit, a glass of water, or want to lie down or sit up—just say the word."

Seth still didn’t speak. Sarah found it a little dull, but she had a general sense of his personality. ’Aside from Clara, he probably doesn’t like talking much to anyone.’

Therefore, she didn’t feel awkward. Crossing her legs, she glanced leisurely out the window, her mind inevitably turning to wonder. ’What kind of man is this Rowan Linden that Clara thinks is so excellent?’

Seeing that she had fallen silent, Seth deliberated for a few seconds, then parted his lips and said hesitantly, "Miss Shelby, you seem to have a... unique scent."

He hadn’t wanted to ask, but he couldn’t stop himself from trying to find out if she was the woman from a year ago.

When he suddenly spoke, Sarah turned back to him, freezing for a moment as if she hadn’t quite understood what he meant.

But it only took a moment for her to catch on. She instinctively tugged at her sleeve to better conceal the injury on her arm.

Though Sarah usually appeared carefree and easygoing, she was actually very stubborn. She didn’t want anyone to know that she was being bullied by Yvette Zimmerman. She didn’t want anyone to know about her situation, to mock her, or to pity and sympathize with her.

Perhaps it was a form of instinctive self-preservation.

"Scent?" Sarah feigned a frown and sniffed the air before answering. "Oh, that’s my exclusive perfume. What do you think? Smells nice, right? It’s a one-of-a-kind, you won’t find it anywhere else."

’It wasn’t a complete lie,’ she thought. ’While it’s not perfume, the scent is so pleasant, it might as well be. And since my aunt makes it herself, it really is one-of-a-kind.’

Seth’s mind was so focused on the scent that he didn’t notice her small gesture of pulling at her sleeve. But when he heard her answer, the tiny sliver of hope in his heart was shattered.

’So it really was her!’

He was suddenly filled with regret. A year ago, in an effort to rein in Miles’s private life, he had secretly read his brother’s text messages. Without telling him, he had gone to room 1808 at The Reyton Hotel, the meeting place arranged by the girl who’d sent the texts.

If he hadn’t gone, he wouldn’t have had that accidental encounter with the girl who was trying to confess her feelings to Miles, and this awkward situation wouldn’t exist now.

"President Quinn, is something wrong? Do you find the scent unpleasant? If so, should I step out?"

Seeing him staring at her with a deep frown, looking quite displeased, Sarah assumed her scent was bothering him and asked cautiously.

’He’s the patient,’ she reasoned. ’He has the right to be a little fussy. I’ll let it slide.’

With that, Sarah made a move to stand up.

Seth raised his hand slightly, signaling for her to stay. "No, I was only asking because I also find the scent very pleasant."

Sarah nodded and settled back into her chair.

After another moment of silence, Seth spoke again. "Do you... know my brother, Miles?"

’Even though he was ninety-nine percent sure it was her, he still couldn’t quite accept it.’

’He couldn’t ask directly, so he had to resort to this roundabout method.’

The mention of Miles Quinn brought a look of disgust to Sarah’s face. ’After all,’ she thought, ’in my eyes, he’s the scumbag who hugged and kissed and got handsy with Clara, taking full advantage of her, only to refuse to acknowledge it or take any responsibility afterward.’