“P-pleasure,” I stammered, so caught off-guard that I was having trouble remembering why I was standing there in the dining room in the first place. 

“Were you looking for anything in particular?” Sebastian asked, seeming to glide into the room toward me. The closer he got, the more I was struck by how incredibly tall he was. He towered over me by probably a foot or so. I craned my neck up to look him in the eye. 

His eyes were stunning. Exceptionally long lashes gave way to eyes the color of a murky pond, except when the light hit them just right and they seemed to shimmer like emeralds somehow. His bow-shaped lips peeled back into a grin, and I couldn’t help but glance at his glimmering white teeth. 

“I was…I was,” I looked around, pulling my gaze away from him to get my bearings. Why was he so damn hypnotic to look at? I’d seen plenty of handsome men before, but there was something about Sebastian that seemed otherworldly. It was hard to define. He gave off an aura of strength, darkness, and beauty that I had never seen before. Even his voice gave me a shiver. I felt both drawn to and repulsed by him, not sure if I should bolt away or jump his bones right there. 

“Are you okay?” he asked, gently placing a finger on my chin to tilt my head up so that his gaze met mine. The motion was so intimate, and would have pissed me off coming from any other strange man I had just met. Yet, looking up into his eyes, I found myself completely unbothered. Totally relaxed.

“I was looking for something to eat,” I admitted, having finally recalled why I was standing in the dining room. 

“Shall we look together?” he asked. 

I realized he had an accent, but I couldn’t place it. If I had to wager a guess, it was definitely European.

I nodded, and stepped back, breaking our gaze again and trying to clear my head. 

“Please, follow me,” he gestured to a door leading off the dining room that I had neglected to notice before. I followed behind as he led the way to what turned out to be the kitchen. It was full of metal tables, ovens, stoves, and very large refrigerators. It seemed grand enough to cook for an entire restaurant.

He headed to the nearest fridge, opening it to reveal a plethora of fruits, vegetables, yogurts, cheeses, and slices of meat. My stomach audibly rumbled as I eyed all the food, and thought of the embarrassing jar of half eaten pickles and container of mustard that had taken up my fridge at the apartment.

“Wow,” I muttered. 

“We like to keep healthy options for Emily. It took years to get her off of chicken nuggets. Lately, she’s been avoiding meat altogether, so we keep it around for the workers’ lunches.”

“That’s very gracious of you,” I said. 

“It’s pragmatic,” Sebastian admitted. “I find you’re more inclined to care for people and their belongings if you have a full stomach.” He grabbed a number of things from the fridge, nudged the door closed with his foot, then set to washing, cutting, and setting up a delicious looking tray of fruits, veggies, crackers from a nearby cupboard, and cheese. He set the tray in front of me with a flourish. 

“I believe Joel offered you one of these earlier today, but you went out to lunch instead. I love a good charcuterie board.” 

I immediately went to town on some strawberries, following up with crackers and cheese. I glanced at Sebastian, who was watching me eat with an amused grin on his face. 

“Aren’t you going to have anything?” I asked. 

“I’ve already eaten my breakfast,” he said. “Would you prefer I leave while you’re eating?”

“Oh, you’re fine,” I said, not wanting him to leave just yet.

Being around him was fascinating, almost intoxicating. I didn’t want the experience to end just yet. 

It was a strange feeling, being so comfortable already in my new home. Especially with my history of meeting people who had turned out to be monsters.