Page 53 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Honesty. I appreciate that."

I poured more wine into our glasses. "I only lie when absolutely necessary and never about dessert."

She smiled and I felt it all over. I had seen her confident, nervous and unraveling while I had my mouth on her, but this unguarded relaxed moment was new. I enjoyed the visual appreciating how damn beautiful she truly was.

"It looks good." She picked up a fork and dove in.

"It is. Probably the best in the city."

I watched her take the first few bites, closing her eyes briefly to savor the taste while I savored the sight of her.

"You were right. It's so damn good."

"I'm almost never wrong."

She arched her brow. "Modest too."

"Modesty is overrated."

"So is arrogance."

I chuckled hating how much this woman made me want to smile all the gotdamn time. "Confidence not arrogance. Similar but not the same."

"School me then, Mr. Devereaux?" Those beautiful browns raked over my face while her smile appeared after she slid the fork from between those pretty ass lips, capturing what was left of the cheesecake she just enjoyed.

"Arrogance is thinking you're better than everyone else. Confidence is knowing your worth, and because I know my worth, I know I'm better than everyone else."

She burst out laughing and rolled her eyes, taking another bite. "And which category does forcing someone to live with you fall under?"

"I didn't force you. You agreed."

"Under duress."

"Was it duress or taking advantage of a prime opportunity? Be honest, Scotlyn. You want to be here as much as I want you here."

Her eyes met mine but she didn't agree or disagree. She took the easy way out and changed the subject.

"Is there a story with this house?"

"Not one that's interesting. My father had it built the year after he married my mother because she demanded something that proved how deep his pockets were. She had the entire thing gutted and remodeled after my siblings and I were grown."

"Sounds like my father."

"Flashy?"

She wiped cheesecake from her mouth then lifted her wine, taking some down. "Not really flashy but he does like to put our family's deep pockets on display. When I moved out of our family home into the city, he and I had a month-long argument because he wanted me to purchase an overpriced penthouse in Manhattan. I chose a brownstone in the suburbs because it was just me. He was pissed that a Whitney was living in such menial accommodations."

"He and my mother have a lot in common. She refuses to live here but has it written in both my father's will and hers that we can't sell the place under any circumstances. The Devereauxs have a standard. Which I'm sure you can tell." I circled my finger in the air and she smiled.

"It's a really nice house."

"Estate. My mother would put a hit out on you for calling this a house. It's an experience…" I mocked my mother and Scotlyn grinned.

"From what I've seen, I would have to agree."

"You've barely seen any of it. Trust me, there's so much more over the top shit here you can't even begin to imagine."

"Sounds very rich-ish."

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