Page 87 of Brushed By Moonlight
“I’ll think of something,” I bluffed.
He chuckled dryly. “That’s what scares me.”
I bit my lip. It scared me too. Bringing that painting into the public eye would be the ultimate way to honor my father. But what was one painting compared to the lives of four good men?
I caught myself there. What made them good? What proof did I have? Was I just being fooled by Bene’s charm, Roux’s sincerity, and Marius’s bad-boy appeal?
(I left Henrik out of the equation. No need to skew the curve with him.)
No, I decided. They were good at heart. I could sense it.
“Listen, if you want to succeed—” I started.
“We have to succeed,” he cut in.
“If you want to succeed, I can help. Bene said as much.”
Marius grimaced. “You need to take everything he says with a grain of salt.”
I ran my hand over his shoulder. “Is he wrong? About me improving your odds of success, I mean?”
Marius considered for a long time before answering.
“No. He’s not wrong.”
“Then it’s in your own interest for me to join in.”
He huffed. “No, it isn’t. Not when I’d worry about you every step of the way.”
“Hey! Do I seem so incapable?”
He snorted. “Of lying? Of sneaking around? Of anything illegal? You’re hopeless.”
“Gee, thanks.” I pouted.
He caressed my shoulder. “That was a compliment.”
I sighed. It was. What was wrong with me?
Marius went back to drawing circles on my shoulder. Gently, making it hard to keep up the pout. And, er…makinghimhard, as a stray glance told me.
“If anything happened to you…” he murmured.
My heart leaped. He cared. He really did!
“You’re not going to get all sappy on me, are you?” I teased quietly.
He huffed. “Sappy, no. But I might change the subject.”
He skimmed his hand down my ribs and across my stomach, leaving fire in his wake.
I drew in a sharp breath and snuck in another quick peek.
All systems go, from the look of it. I licked my lips.
“You just planning to look?” His grin was pure sin.
“I’m considering my options.” I did my best to sound prim. Then I looked at the clock, eliciting a deep, husky laugh.
