Chapter 46

Sebastian's footsteps echoed through the hallways of his penthouse as he hurried to his lavish bathroom. The anticipation coursing through his veins drove him to quicken his pace, a mix of excitement and longing enveloping him like a swirling tempest. He stepped into the cascading water, its warm embrace soothing his restless thoughts.

As the water splashed against his skin, Sebastian's mind became a battleground, a clash between desire and reason. Images of Ava, her mesmerizing beauty and enchanting presence, flickered in his mind's eye, threatening to unravel the carefully constructed walls he had built. He repeated a litany of reasons, like a mantra, reminding himself why he shouldn't be so enticed by her.

"She's just a woman," he whispered to himself, the words a feeble attempt to temper his rising emotions. "This is just dinner. Nothing more."

Meanwhile, within the confines of Ava's home, a whirlwind of activity unfolded. The fragrant aroma of culinary possibilities filled the ai