I was consumed with doubts. Did he expect me to be ready and willing to sleep with him just because he’d wined and dined me? I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready! I hadn’t been with anyone in that way since Carl.

But there was a devilish little part of me that whispered, Don’t you wonder what it might be like to be with Sebastian?

His voice cut through my thoughts. “My fair Emily is once again daydreaming.”

I gave a rueful chuckle. “Yeah. I do that a lot. Sorry.”

Once we reached my hotel, we stopped and faced each other. As my mouth opened to say something, I don’t even know what, Sebastian kissed me. On both cheeks. I stood there with my mouth open, like a fish.

“Cendrillon, you are back home safe and sound, as promised. Did you have a good time?”

I quickly regained my composure. “I had a great time. Thank you so much! I wish you’d let me pay for dinner and for my own ticket into Versailles.”

“Nonsense. Your company was payment enough. I bid you adieu, belle Emily. I will call you tomorrow after work.”