The Protege Page 4

  “We have a great crew,” he said simply. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

  The guests in attendance were as impressive as the craft they’d boarded. Silks, sequins, crystals and diamonds; every single guest flaunted their wealth. Serena was eternally grateful she had a fashionable friend like Laura. Without her she’d have stuck out like a sore thumb.

  Having grown up in Newport, Laura was the daughter of the founder of a successful chain of health food stores and had learned at a young age how to hold her own among the most affluent. With her auburn hair and fair skin, she would have fit right in with this crowd. Laura, as down to earth as she could be at times, had the innate ability to hold herself with a haughty air when the occasion suited her, along with her no-holds bar colorful language and rebelliousness.

  As cultured and sophisticated as Serena now appeared, she’d had to learn the airs and ways of the wealthy. She’d done so, years ago to please him.

  A soft and gentle smile came to tickle her lips as she thought of him; her ex, her first… He’d been the first man to make love to her. At nineteen she’d been innocent and considerably naïve when she’d met the twenty-nine year old man who’d swept her off her feet.

  Not only had he introduced her to the pleasures of being a woman, he’d opened a whole new world of money, class and sophistication. He would have fit in perfectly with the crowd that now surrounded her. Amused and feeling a little nostalgic, she peered through the crowd, hoping to perhaps spot him. Her eyes darted to every tall blond man in attendance, but none of them had his sparkling blue eyes. Nor did they have the exquisitely sexy body that had taught her so many lessons in love.

  She allowed herself a moment to wonder what her view of men would be had it not been for the things she’d learned during that time. Would she still be as innocent and virginal as she’d been?

  Enough indulging in the past, she thought with a mental shake of her head. That was over a couple of years ago… a lifetime ago. If anything, she’d put great effort into forgetting everything about him. She’d even gone so far as to avoid dating anyone who remotely resembled him. The men she’d known since had been dark and brooding. Less experienced, men she can easily dominate. They’d also been more down to earth which had come to suit her student status and lifestyle.

  Her music career was what counted now, not pleasing a man.

  Bringing her thoughts back to the present she took in the luxury that now enveloped her, feeling a bit more at home. The urge to let out an impressed whistle became stronger with every step, but Serena resisted and simply took in her beautiful surroundings with a restrained but appreciative nod.

  “Hey, you okay?” Sebastian asked.

  Serena looked up at him and realized how far away her thoughts had taken her. “Just a lot of memories. There was a time when I attended a lot of functions like this.”

  “Oh?” He smiled in appreciation. “You are indeed a fascinating and mysterious young woman. Hardly what I expected considering the disheveled kitten who walked into my office.”

  She waved the notion and conversation away. “It was a long time ago, and I’ve changed since then. My focus is on my music now. I want to concentrate on being a good student… the best, and I want to channel all my energy into my career as a composer.”

  His gaze was intense and solemn as Sebastian listened to her. “I look forward to discussing your ambitions.”

  “But for now…” she finished for him.

  “Yes, for now we have guests to mingle with.”

  They strolled through the crowd, quickly greeting a variety of people. While many were young and attractive, the vast majority of them were older. Sophistication dripped from their fingertips and peering down over their noses seemed to be the norm.

  “Do you spend a lot of time on this boat?” Serena asked as Sebastian led her to a quiet corner of the room.

  Sebastian let out a soft little laugh. “Please don’t let anyone hear you calling this a boat, my mother in particular. She’d have a conniption.”

  “Sorry, right. Do you spend a lot of time on this yacht?”

  “Not as much as I’d like to. Sometimes I’d just like to take it out and get away from it all, but my schedule doesn’t often permit it.”

  “It certainly seems to be the kind of place that could inspire beautiful music.”

  Nodding he led her outside. The salty evening air caressed her cheeks and she closed her eyes a moment, letting the breeze fan her hair.

  “Here at the dock and filled with the most affluent residents of Southern California the atmosphere is almost cold and biting. It’s not the most conducive atmosphere to write music. I’m sure you’ve already noticed how formal and forced everyone seems.”

  Serena nodded. She had noticed a few creased brows, tense smiles and practiced laughter as they’d made their way through the crowd. While they’d greeted Sebastian with respect, they’d barely glanced at Serena.

  He pointed out toward the horizon. “Being out there, miles from shore all alone is quite another experience. It’s breathtaking. Replenishing. Maybe I’ll take you out some time.” He leaned over the rail and looked out to the sea.

  The sun still held remnants of deep dark gold as a last sliver peeked over the horizon.

  “It’s easy to understand,” Serena whispered, feeling the freedom and tranquility Sebastian also felt at the moment. “Just looking out from here is magical.”

  “Come on,” he said as he turned and gently took her by the arm, his eyes softening as he looked into hers. “We’d better meet and greet a few more people before my mother reprimands me for being so inhospitable.”

  “And where is your mother?”

  Guiding her toward a pleasant looking older couple, Sebastian chuckled. “Don’t worry. She’s here somewhere. You’ll meet her soon enough.”

  “Sebastian,” the older man said.

  “Doctor Howard.” Sebastian nodded at the man then took the woman’s hand to kiss her fingers. “Mrs. Howard. So pleased to see you could make it.”

  “You know how we love to support your mother and her fundraisers.” Mrs. Howard said. “In particular this organization. The children’s hospital does such phenomenal work and we know the money raised tonight will make such a difference in so many children’s lives.”

  “Indeed.” Sebastian brought Serena to the forefront. “If I may, I’d like to introduce you to Serena.”

  “A pleasure,” the older woman said.

  “Likewise,” the man added.

  “Are you involved with the fundraiser?” Mrs. Howard asked.

  “Bash!” A booming female voice called out before Serena could answer.

  Sebastian closed his eyes and Serena saw a light hint of tension spread across his jaw line.

  “Bash, it’s about time you got here.” An attractive elegant older woman draped in colorful chiffon intruded the quiet foursome. Her bright blue eyes quickly took in Serena’s dress before turning to Sebastian. “How long have you been here? Why didn’t you come see me right away?”

  “I arrived just a few moments ago, Mother. I’ve barely had time to make the rounds and I felt it imperative to greet the good doctor and his lovely wife.” He leaned in closer to his mother. “You know how Father can be about these things.”

  After a nod of salutation, the good doctor and his lovely wife quietly walked away.

  “So happy you came,” Mrs. Sorensen called out after them. The moment they were out of earshot she turned to Sebastian. “Can you believe that dress she’s wearing? I feel like it’s 1996 all over again.”

  “I thought she looked lovely, Mother.”

  “Yes, well, you were always a little behind the times.”

  Serena cocked a brow, surprised by the woman’s open reprimand of her adult son.

  “And on a cheerier note, Mother, this is Serena Singleton.”

  Mrs. Sorensen offered Serena three feeble and limp fingers in lieu of a handshake.

  “Pleased to me
et you, Mrs. Sorensen.”

  “Yes. Yes.” The woman made no attempt to hide her discontent. “Sebastian, you do know that Willow Brooks and her mother have arrived, don’t you?”

  “No. I’d not seen them yet, Mother.”

  “Well, it’s high time you did. Willow is positively ravishing tonight. I hardly doubt a man here will be able to keep his eyes off her all night.”

  “Yes,” Sebastian said with a sheepish glance at Serena. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “Come on, then. Let’s go greet them before they get the impression you're deliberately trying to avoid them.” She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. “Besides, they’ve just returned from that fabulous cruise on the Rhine and I’m sure they’ll have plenty to talk about.”

  “Mother, this is the first time Serena is on our yacht and…”

  “No excuses, son. This family has a reputation to uphold and I won’t have you tarnishing it by snubbing a family such as the Brooks.”

  With that, she tugged on his arm and led him away.

  Serena took a few steps in an attempt to follow them, but was quickly swallowed up by the elitist crowd. Just as well, she thought. Mrs. Sorensen gave the distinct impression she wanted her son all to herself. Though she’d promised herself she wouldn’t get emotional about her night with Sebastian, she couldn’t help but feel a sting of jealousy as he and his mother greeted a beautiful tall blond wearing a decidedly plunging white gown.

  “You look a little lost.”

  Serena turned to face a tall and handsome young man who looked intently at her.

  “Lovely, but lost,” he added.

  Staring at him, Serena tried to remember if they’d already been introduced. She’d seen so many faces and had heard so many names. No, she thought. She’d surely remember such a face. Boyish and charming, he had big puppy-dog blue eyes, a comical grin and wavy brown hair that beckoned fingers to run through it.

  “I’m Michael,” he offered as he reached for her hand. “Looks like I got the better end of the deal.”

  “Serena, Serena Singleton.” She tilted her head in confusion. “What ‘better end’?”

  His kissed her fingers, letting his lips linger a warm moment before releasing her.

  “Well, I’m here with you instead of over there with my gold digging sister and overbearing mother.”

  How quaint, she thought.

  “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you at one of these functions before. I’m certain I would remember such a face.”

  “You're absolutely right. This is the first time coming to one of Mrs. Sorensen’s fundraisers.”

  “Invited by Mrs. Sorensen herself?”

  “No. I’m here with Mr. Sorensen.”

  Michael frowned with confusion.

  Serena felt a heated blush come to her face and cursed her faux pas. “Sebastian Sorensen.”

  “Ah, yes. The famed musical composer. I never thought composing bland and dreary music could appeal to so many women. Then again, I’m sure the Sorensen fortune has something to do with it.”

  “I happen to love the music Sebastian composes.”

  “A fan, huh?”

  “If you want to call it that.”

  Michael looked past her and smirked. Serena turned to see Sebastian surrounded by three blonds. His mother, the tall and exquisite Willow, and another older woman, Willow’s mother, who seemed to have a constant sour expression glued to her face.

  “I think my sister is going to keep your date busy for quite a while.” He’d put a question mark on the word date. With his strong hand at the small of her back, he gently led her away. “Given that you don’t know anyone else here, I believe that leaves me with the obligation to keep you company and show you around.”

  His smile was heated and intense as Serena followed his lead. “Funny,” he said as he guided her to the upper deck. “I’d quite expected this evening to be a dud; a snore; a bore.”

  “That’s not very nice.”

  “People who have tons of money sometimes lose all sense of fun. Their idea of fun is arguing whether they’re drinking a Chardonnay or Merlot. To make things really exciting they might throw in a Bordeaux or Chianti.”

  “You certainly have an odd opinion of your own…” She caught herself and stopped.

  “What? An odd opinion of my own kind?” His smile was warm and teasing.

  As a waiter slowly passed by balancing a tray laden with flutes of champagne, Michael grabbed two and handed one to Serena.

  With a smile, she nodded her thanks and took a sip. “Well, sort of.”

  “Look, every time I come to one of these things, I see people who put all their efforts into being elegant and classy; showing off basically. And, of course, they get a kick out of putting down all those who don’t live up to their high standards. It gets dull and dreary pretty fast.”

  “And you're not one of those people who like to show off?” she chided. “Come on. How many times have you picked up a lovely young woman with a flashy and showy car? How many times have you tried to dazzle a woman with expensive jewelry or a night out at an exclusive restaurant?”

  He laughed, a hearty and pleased sound that came from deep within. “Touché. Guilty as charged. But…” He held up an explanatory finger. “I still know how to have fun. I mean, if I invite you on a date, yes, I’ll pick you up in my silver Mercedes, and after a few dates I’d surely want to show my affection for you by giving you a beautiful tennis bracelet or teardrop earrings. Throughout the process, however, I’ll show you tons of fun.”

  “Really?” Serena said with mock disbelief. “And how does a boy raised in such luxury have fun these days?”

  “The better question,” he said as he peered over her shoulder. “Is what is a lovely and lively girl like you doing with Mr. Dark and Moody?”

  “Is that really your opinion of Sebastian?” She glanced back to see Sebastian wading through the crowd as he tried to make his way towards them.

  “Or Bash, as my sister loves to call him.” He rolled his eyes on Bash. “She thinks that just because Mrs. Sorensen calls him that, she can too. It sounds so pathetic. But, to answer your question, yes. I mean, look at him.”

  Once again, Serena glanced over her shoulder.

  “He is dark. He is moody. I mean, the hair, the music, the brooding. It’s like he’s trying to be some great 16th century genius. Like he wants to impersonate Mozart or something.”

  “And what do you know about classical music and the greats?”

  He shrugged. “This movie I saw. Then again, I guess dark and moody is in these days. I mean my sister certainly didn’t waste much time laying claim to him.” After an awkward silence, he put his hand over his mouth. “Oops, sorry. I didn’t mean to let that slip out.”

  “What?” Serena said with casual disinterest, though her heart raced for some inexplicable reason. “Have they been seriously seeing each other?”

  “Well, I overheard Mother saying Willow had already picked out her wedding gown. A twenty-thousand dollar thing covered with crystals and all those things you girls like.”

  “That’s a pleasant stereotype.”

  “Are you going to tell me you don’t dream of that magical day? Princess?”

  Serena tried to hide just how annoyed she was by everything he was saying; not only his idea of women and weddings, but the relationship between Sebastian and Willow.

  “In a sense it’s like they’ve been engaged since childhood,” he went on. “At least that’s what my mother and Mrs. Sorensen seemed to think; though Sebastian seems to like to play hard to get whenever he can. In time, I think he’ll come around. I mean my sister might be a little coo coo sometimes, but, I guess in some circles, she’s considered a catch.”

  “I think it’s pretty obvious he’s not interested in her at all. Otherwise, why would he have brought me here?”

  He shrugged. “Dark and moody. I guess that also means he’s hard to figure out. I’ve seen him go throu
gh all kinds of women over the years; tall ones, short ones, rich ones, poor ones; talented songstresses, serious businesswomen and artsy whack jobs. Of course he’s had a healthy dose of models and starlets in there, too.” He brought his fingers to her hair and played with a thick strand. “Sounds like you're a very decent girl, Miss Singleton, not the type to get caught up in all this lunacy. I would hate to see you get hurt by him, or by this little game my mother and Willow insist on playing.”

  “So you think this is all a game?”

  “Hey, there you are.” Sebastian came up behind Serena and immediately put a possessive hand around her waist. He glared at Michael and the tension between the two was instantly palpable.

  Michael released the lock of hair he’d been fingering. “You should know better than to leave such a beautiful creature all alone.”

  “Were it not for your persistent sister, I never would have.” He turned to Serena. “I didn’t mean to abandon you like that. Mother can be rather insistent when she gets an idea in her head.”

  “So I noticed.”

  “Excuses, excuses,” Michael said with an uninterested smirk. He nodded a salutation to Serena and shot one last glare at Sebastian. “Better keep her close… Mr. Sorensen. My time with her was all too short and I’ll jump at the chance to accompany her again. She’s a veritable breath of fresh air amidst all the stale blowholes here.” He snickered. “And I love to see the effect she has on Willow and our conniving mothers. Bring her around more often.” He walked away.

  “Mr. Sorensen?” Sebastian wiped the disgusted expression off his face and turned to Serena. “What’s that about?”

  “Sorry. When he first asked who I’d come with… To me you're still the professor and…”

  “You okay?” Sebastian said as he brushed away her slip up. “Michael is a notorious womanizer and I can just imagine the games he tried to play with you.”

  “I’m fine. He was very polite and a good company. Handsome and a true gentleman.”

  “Is that a crack at me?” Though his smile was genuine, a light frown furrowed his brow.

  “Not at all. I understand these events require you to mix and mingle. You just can’t expect me to stay glued to the wall as you do so.”