The Man Without Rules Read Free Page B

it will ever change."
    "You are the pessimist, aren't you?"
    Mariss frowned at him, but shrugged her shoulders.
    "Have you had lunch, Mrs. Red?" She looked up at him, surprise in her eyes. "I know who you are."
    "Oh, so 'who I am' is supposed to bring you water?"
    "That was a momentary lapse in judgement on my part." He turned his lips down. That was much too close to an apology for his liking. "I'd like to take you to lunch."
    Mariss bristled. "We need to get through this shoot."
    "Yes, and we will, but it's well past lunch time and as far as I could see there aren't many refreshments."
    "The caterer cancelled this morning."
    "You're just having a bad day all around, then."
    "They need to get in here and start setting up," Mariss snapped as she turned. Whatever she was holding in her hand fell and she knelt to pick it up. Her ass was to him and Sebastian took the moment to appreciate it before she stood. "Oh."
    Mariss pressed her hand to her head and reached out to him. Sebastian took her arm in concern.
    "Are you alright?"
    "I'm going to pass out."
    Sebastian had just enough time to clutch Mariss around the waist before her knees gave out and she fell against him, unconscious. He lifted her, surprised by how little she weighed.
    "Mariska! Bring me some orange juice and some water."
    Sebastian set Mariss in a chair and knelt beside her with her body propped against his chest.
    "Mariss," he stroked her cheek gently. "Wake up."
    Mariss moaned, but didn't move. The sound so reminded him of that night six months ago that Sebastian felt himself starting to be aroused, and he shook his head at himself.
    Mariska came running. "Here you go, Bash- Oh my god! What happened?"
    "I don't think she's eaten today." He twisted the cap and looked at the label.
    "The machine only had apple juice," Mariska said hurriedly.
    "This is fine." He tossed the cap on the floor and tapped Mariss' cheek a few times. "Mariss, I'm going to give you some apple juice. Try to drink it, okay?"
    Mariss' eyes opened a little, but they were unfocused. Her face was pale and grey and, for the first time, Sebastian realized how gaunt she looked.
    "Here, drink." Sebastian held the bottle to her lips and let some pour into her mouth. Slowly, he fed her a fourth of the bottle before her eyes focused on his. "There you are. Okay?"
    Mariss nodded. "Sorry."
    "For what?" Sebastian asked. "I told you to eat, but you put me off. Ready for lunch now?"
    She shook her head.
    "If they stay here and set up, will you let me take you to get some food?" Mariss nodded and he smiled triumphantly.
    "What are we supposed to eat, Bastian?" Elise complained.
    "I'll bring you something back." With that attitude, it might just be dinner rolls.
    Sebastian helped Mariss to her feet, but made sure to keep a tight arm around her waist. She was unsteady on her feet and a few times he thought she might faint again, but he got her out of the building and to the nearest restaurant that just so happened to be five-star rated. He smiled to himself and helped Mariss inside.
    "We need a table, quickly," he told the host. "My friend here is faint with starvation."
    Sebastian felt her irritation like it was a physical thing. It radiated through his arm and into his chest and he chuckled.
    "Do you have a reservation, Mr. Boa?"
    "No, I do not." He gave the man a look that suggested that shouldn't be a problem and the host scurried off to find an empty table for two.
    Sebastian leaned to see Mariss' face. She was still pale and looked like she was flagging.
    "Still with me there, Red?" She frowned at him, confusion written all over her face. "Can I at least get a chair, please?" Sebastian called as his irritation became palpable. The little host came rushing back.
    "Why didn't you just leave me and bring me something to eat?" Mariss asked. Her voice was so weak that Sebastian wondered if that might have been the best idea.
    "I wanted to take you to lunch, Mrs. Red."
    "I have a table for you," the host