CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTEEN – POWER OF SEDUCTION

As Jean-Pierre's monologue finally began to wind down, Madison felt her phone buzz insistently in her purse. Grateful for the distraction, she dipped her chin in a silent apology before retrieving the device and checking the caller ID. Her stomach twisted at the caller - Sebastian. An intense debate gripped her momentarily. Part of her thrilled at the reprieve from Jean-Pierre's unrelenting conversation, desperate to reconnect with one of the few people on the planet who intrinsically understood her as both a creative partner and a friend. The other part...well, that was the part that shied away from reigniting her hurt and confusion over the events of the day. If she took Sebastian's call, allowed his rich tones to caress her senses, would she simply fall back into the same old dysfunctional patterns that landed them in this mess? Jean-Pierre cleared his throat firmly, displeasure etching his chiseled features as his dark eyes bored into her with unmistakable annoyance. "A thousa