Page 21 of Liars and Liaisons

How did he evengetin when Alistair’s house is fully outfitted with top-of-the-line security?

“On the contrary, Little Echo. I don’t mean to imply that I am indebted to you for a transaction. In fact, it’s you who owes me.”

“It’s barely been a week—”

“And yet I’ve grown impatient all the same.” Slamming the magazine shut, he tosses it onto the sunflower-print bedspread and finally slides those monstrous green eyes my way.

My stomach flips in protest. “What do you want from me?”

It’s the same question I asked at the hotel, and I’m not sure I’ll get an answer this time. For several moments, we just stare at each other in complete silence, and I wonder if he’s waiting for me to ask something else.

Maybe he only understands music? It’s its own language after all, and supposedly, Grayson James is a master of the art.

I open my mouth to saysomething, and he slides off the bed, stalking toward me with the same unhurried gait I recognize from the hotel. Lazy and controlled, as if he had all the time in the world.

His gaze is slant and cold as he approaches, reaching up with one hand to brush the hair from my shoulder. It takes every ounce of willpower I have to suppress the shiver that tickles the base of my spine.

“The better question is,” he says darkly, circling me like I’m prey he’s laid an inescapable trap for. “Whatdon’tI want?”

Suddenly, every ounce of moisture dries up in my mouth. My tongue sticks in place, not allowing me to speak.

A pulse kicks up between my legs, and I clench my jaw until my muscles scream for me to let up.

“As you might be aware, I have two brothers. To say we don’t get along is… putting it rather mildly. Actually, I don’t get along with anyone in my family, save for my mother and nephew, and even then, our relationships are strained. Most people think I’m selfish and rude and that I ran off to the mountains to spite them all.”

“You’re saying otherwise?”

“I’m saying there’s more to it than they would ever admit.”

He stops behind me, so close that I can feel his warmth seeping into my pores, and I can’t help wondering if that’s whatitfelt like—being consumed from the outside and devoured slowly on the inside.

“What?” I force out. “What more is there?”

“That’s a story for another day.” I feel his fingers, light as a feather, graze my jaw. “The point is, my family has a very rigid idea of how I should act. What I should be doing. They want me to continue living as I have in the past and not hiding from society in the mountains.”

“Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. You’re rich and talented. Doesn’t seem like a bad life to me.”

“Money isn’t the solution to all problems.”

“That’s something only people whohavemoney say.”

His finger leaves my skin, and he comes back around in front of me. Standing so close that I note that he’s much taller than I realized—I’m five-seven, and even now, he has at least four inches on me. Maybe more.

It makes me feel crowded, but not necessarily in a bad way.

In a new, exciting way, like he did the night of the gala behind that mask. His gaze zeroes in on mine, sucking my attention in like he can’t imagine it focusing anywhere else.

“Do you need money, Violet?”

I need money like the Pope needs God, but I don’t admit it.

Can’t think straight when he utters my name like it’s a dirty word—thedirtiestword, and he’s savoring its flavor.

Heat floods my face, and I look down for a second, trying to erase the red trail I’m certain it leaves on my skin.

“Whatever you desire,” he rasps, his voice barely audible in the bedroom, “I can provide. There are no limits.”

I can’t stop staring at his mouth. Can’t stop the violent sense of shame that accompanies the sudden surge of tight arousal spiraling in my chest.

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