Chapter Thirty-One
I gave her a polite smile. “I had nothing to do with the décor.” Obviously.
I didn’t want to go anywhere with this woman.
Her face fell at my resistance.
“You’re pretty,” I said, taking a sip of bourbon.
Her laughter was melodious. “Why, thank you.” She leaned closer, her interest disguised as intimacy. “Tell me about the inspiration for this place.”
I whooshed the bourbon around in my glass. “What do you want to know?”
“What are you trying to achieve?”
“I want to harness nature.”
“Hmm. Would you like to harness me?”
That made me laugh.
She grinned and then flipped back to being serious. “Let me ask you, looking back at your early career, what moment do you think was most pivotal in shaping your philosophy?”
I paused to gather my thoughts, but I was hesitant to open up to this stranger. Her personal questions had raised a red flag. She was asking a lot of questions. Not the National Inquirer kind, but more like The Guardian , or perhaps the kind of reporting done by Pulse360.
I was considering the best way to extract myself from this conversation, politely walk away without appearing rude. I didn’t want to be that moody guy standing at the bar.
The air was drawn out of my lungs as soon as I saw the stunning brunette walking across the room—Willa Cole.
She always dressed refined, but tonight, she was exquisite in a jade green silk dress, her dark locks falling sleekly over her slender shoulders. Willa’s full rouged lips formed into a knowing smile, like a secret message being sent my way as she headed in my direction.
I wracked my brain for a reason why she’d be present at tonight’s event. Of course, I had considered inviting her, but that forbidden element between us discouraged me.
It was the only reason I had come alone.
Willa walked right past me.
Strange, really.
She’s not with me. I tried to send Willa a discreet message, which was useless, even though it made me feel better.
The way Willa finally glanced back at me gave me the impression she was trying to attract my attention. Perhaps this was her tactfully not wanting to ruin a date.
I hated the idea that she might think that about this stranger.
Chloe had noticed Willa. Then again, everyone in the room had become captivated with the stunning brunette who carried herself like royalty.
“Do you know her?” Chloe’s expression was a cross between intrigue and annoyance.
“I know a lot of people,” I said, dodging her question.
“Sure, but you seemed to recognize her.”
I looked over at Chloe. “There are predictable patterns from those who attempt to deceive.”
“You’re not talking about me, I hope?” She placed a hand on her chest in mock offense.
I continued to appraise her, my glare surgically cutting through her crap. “Your approach is too direct.”
“I’m a confident woman.”
“I don’t like to be used.”
“What does that mean?”
“Next time choose a less formidable opponent.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“It’s a ‘no comment.’”
“You don’t know anything about me,” she said, sounding annoyed.
“You’re not used to wearing Prada.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Wear something more whimsical. You hate this dress. It makes you feel fake.”
Her jaw tightened. “That obvious, huh?”
Of course, I’d never share with this stranger that my mom had been a fashion icon. Because that was part of the story of the century . I’d overheard Celeste say, “The right clothes reflect how you feel inside.”
And Chloe appeared out of her element.
She met my gaze. “Maybe we should go somewhere more private to discuss this.”
“Manipulate me out of sight?”
“No, I didn’t say that.”
“You’re after my dignity, Chloe. And for that, you’ve earned my disrespect.”
Her smile crumbled, along with that meticulously crafted mask that no longer held any influence.
“Will you excuse me?” I said, moving away. “I need to cleanse my palate with a decent person.”
Frustrated, she bit out, “Have fun! Not that anyone knows who you are!”
I turned to face her. “Your presence desecrates this space.”
“It’s just a hotel.”
“That’s a reflection of your lack of vision.”
She looked hurt, and for a moment, I felt bad for her—then I remembered she was trying to get something to use against me.
My response was excessive, but I couldn’t tolerate the tabloids. This woman likely derived satisfaction from ruining lives, and later, boasted about it to her friends in some overpriced bar.
I walked away, moving in the opposite direction. I refused to glance back, even though I felt the burn of Chloe’s stare.
I benefited from knowing the layout of each hallway. I didn’t want Chloe guessing where I was going.
Halfway down the nearest corridor, I saw a sudden blur to my right and hands grabbed my lapels, pulling me into a room. A waft of subtle perfume enveloped me as I was slammed against the wall.
We were kissing—me and Willa—and it was everything I’d wanted it to be. Holding her close, I was swept up in having her lithe body against mine. My hands were entangled in her silky long hair, my heart pounding with exhilaration, stunned that the woman I couldn’t get out of my head was craving me so starkly.
My mouth opened wider as I welcomed her passionate kiss, our tongues dancing, sharing breathless moans of complete surrender. An electrifying charge surged through my veins, my senses heightened, and then, unable to hold back my need for her, I swung her around, pushing her against the wall.
You’re kissing Willa…
I was about to do filthy things to Cole’s sister.
I eased away from her. “What was that for?”
She looked surprised. “You kissed me.”
“No.” I blinked at her. “You pulled me in here and started kissing me.”
She caressed her mouth. “You seem to want to believe that.”
Confused and a little concerned I’d be the one accused of instigating this, I hesitated and then said, “I apologize.”
“You should.”
God, had I just…?
Willa cupped my face with her gentle hands and then she bit my lower lip, causing a rush of pleasure to my core, an intense arousal that made me feel alive. She gave me a flirty smile.
No , that was very much coming from her. These were mixed signals and shaky boundaries.
Again, I was about to cross a serious line.
Still, I had enough willpower to resist this beauty.
But then Willa once again grazed my lower lip with her teeth in a sharp, possessive bite. A jolt of pure pleasure shot through me; a primal surge of arousal that made my cock twinge. My hand moved to her thigh, and I raised her silky hem. Then I let it drop.
I needed to withdraw from this space quickly like she was a live wire.
“That time was definitely you,” I said.
“I know. I was trying to make you feel better.”
That made me grin. God, she could be adorable.
I rested my forehead against hers, breathless, trying not to succumb to this magnetic pull to take her in here, because it would be easy to pull aside her panties and bury myself inside her.
Then slam into her with the scorching desire this moment deserved. No, she’d probably not like that; she yearned for slow and steady lovemaking, for gentleness, for pleasure, that’s what I sensed.
“Tell me you’re okay,” I said softly.
She leaned in and rested her head against my chest, letting out a long sigh of contentment, like being reunited meant something, like what we had, though rare, was enough. Her perfume was obscene, not in the rakish sense but in the way it stirred every sense I had into a quiet frenzy.
“Willa,” I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. “What are you doing here?”
She leaned back to peer up at me. “You took your time.”
“To find you?” I tilted my head, confused.
“I’m here to protect you.”
“From?” I gave a nod in the direction of the bar. “Her?”
“She’s a journalist.”
Hearing it confirmed made me cringe. “How do you know her?”
“Her name’s Chloe. I work with her.”
“Well, I can assure you that I don’t pick up strangers in hotels.”
She smirked. “Just submissives.”
“No, I screen my submissives.”
“How?”
I waved that off. “Irrelevant.”
“I want to hear about it.”
“Why? Do you want to be my submissive?”
The air between us crackled with sensual intensity.
“Is that a serious question?”
The sexual tension between us remained heightened, a palpable force that promised more.
“Of course not.” Because Willa would never be into that .
“You and I…?” Her eyes widened in a question.
“We’re great as we are.” I needed to regain control, even though this longing to pull Willa close again was overwhelming. “Is Chloe from Pulse360?”
She straightened as I stepped away from her. “Yes. She’s working with Jewel.”
That name was a dick crusher. “Did Jewel set her on me?”
“Yes.” Willa looked sheepish. “Which is why I’m here.”
The implication caused a surge of dread in me. “You’re still working there?”
I cringed when she gave a nod of confirmation.
“Does Cameron know?” I asked.
“Yes, actually. Now, did you tell her anything?”
“Chloe? No.”
Willa nodded with relief. “Did you find her attractive?”
“I found her annoying.”
Touching my arm, Willa said, “What did you talk about?”
“The hotel. She’s not impressed.” I made a joke out of it. “Can’t please everyone.”
“It’s your special evening. I hope it’s not ruined.”
“No one knows who I am.” I rolled my eyes. Except for Chloe, apparently.
“That’s not true, Greyson. The important guests know exactly who you are.”
“Well, I like being anonymous anyway.”
“Thank God I was here.”
“I can tell when someone’s using me.”
“Right.” She cringed as that carried my history into the fore.
Her sympathetic expression reminded me how I’d let Amelia use me. I didn’t need to bring it up and glorify my stupidity.
“I’m more concerned about you,” I said. “You can’t stay at Pulse360.”
“I have a plan.”
“Sounds ominous.”
She shrugged. “Anyway, I want you to enjoy tonight.”
“It’s been interesting so far.” I gazed at her suggestively.
She looked away. ‘This is a beautiful hotel. There’s a theme to your work. It’s all about the light. I see it now. It’s more than a structure, it’s sublime.”
That resonated more with me than she realized; she got me, in a way that went beyond words. It was as if a missing part of me had been found, and the depth of that realization felt profound.
“You’re extraordinarily talented, Greyson. Never doubt it.”
You’re extraordinary. I didn’t say it out loud, though. Didn’t want to scare her with my random gushing.
A part of me was even in the blueprints, and yet never had someone sensed this—until her. “Thank you, Willa.”
She gave me a tender smile. “You brought me here, remember? I got a sneak peek. I was blown away before I knew it was your hotel.”
“It’s my design. I don’t own this place.”
“You know what I mean.”
I gave a nod.
She inhaled sharply. “I have to tell you something else.”
“Tell me later.”
“It’s important.”
“Dance with me.”
“What? Chloe will see us.”
I grabbed Willa’s hand and pulled her out of the room, leading her back the way we’d come, toward the main ballroom.
We found a space amongst the other slow dancers. I didn’t see Chloe, but then again, I couldn’t take my eyes off Willa.
We moved together, our bodies in a tight embrace, and it felt so right.
“I have a confession, Greyson.”
I dipped my face into her hair and breathed her in. “Confessions are good.”
“Not this one.”
My body stiffened. “Go on.”
“I was also sent here tonight especially to see you.”
“By your boss?”
“Yes.”
I relaxed against her. “Then I’m lucky it was you.”
Jewel knew what she was doing, making it obvious, letting us all know she had Willa Cole in her sights.
Willa gazed up at me. “Jewel wants to interview you. She will do everything she can to get your story.”
“Jewel has been digging around in my life for a while now.”
“You knew?”
I considered dragging out my phone and calling Cameron to come get her. Because, right now, I was the hazard. All I wanted to do was kiss her again, do things that were filthy and devilish.
I changed the subject. “Have you considered working at Cole Tower?”
“With Henry?”
“Right. He’s fun.”
“You don’t know what it’s like, not being able to move through the world with the freedom to choose who you want to be.”
I knew what it was like to move through the world with no one knowing your secret. If it came out, my life would be thrust into the public domain.
I forced a smile. “We all have our demons.”
“What’s yours?”
“Perhaps one day we can show off our scars.”
I saw compassion in her eyes.
Soon, Jewel might learn the truth about me, and this would be the greatest violation. Because it would be exposed by a person who would use it against me to taint my truth. It wouldn’t be delivered in a way that was worthy—with compassion and respect and with the love it deserved— she deserved. The woman who had died so that I could live.
But if it was revealed to Willa…
I pulled her closer. “Sounds like you need a game-changing article?”
“I’d never make you the story, Greyson.”
“Maybe you should.”
“I know a lot about you already. The only scandal is you’re a member of Pendulum. Jewel can’t use that because she is, too.”
Turning Willa around slowly, I whispered, “What if I gave you a story so groundbreaking it would alter history.”
She leaned back. “About?”
“Whoever breaks it will be immortalized.”
“It’s not about you, though, right? Greyson?”
I gave her a crooked smile. “I trust you. You’re a Cole.”
“I’m not sure where you’re going with this. You have a secret?”
“I do.”
“I’m flattered.”
“You should be.”
“What are we talking about here?”
“Evidence.”
“Of what?”
My origin. “A family secret.”
She rested her head against me. “Protect yourself. I know how private you are.”
“Chloe was sent to seduce me?”
“Yes.”
“Then seduce me.”
Her gaze rose to meet mine, and her eyelids fluttered, pupils dilating. She shuddered as she spoke, revealing just how much I was affecting her. “But we’re just friends.”
I played it off. “I meant pretend to seduce me. I know neither of us feel that way about each other. You’re my best friend’s sister.”
“And that’s why I feel safe around you.”
Great. I’d firmly landed myself in best friend’s sister jail.
This crush, this need, would have to be managed, and there certainly couldn’t be anymore kissing.
I shook off my disappointment. “There are other opportunities out there that are better for you. Other news stations.”
“I’ve gotten close to Jewel. You can use me to learn more about her. About what she is up to.”
“You’re dancing on the edge of the abyss, remember?”
“No, I’m dancing with you.”
“Same thing.” I let out a hiss of frustration.
“I want to come home with you,” she whispered.
“That’s one way to keep you out of trouble.”
She brightened. “We can make it look like I succeeded in getting closer to the Grantchester.”
“That might get a reaction out of Chloe.” I winced. “You have to work with her again, I take it.”
“You have to trust me.”
“Of course, not because I’ve teased you with a story that would launch your career into the stratosphere.”
“I would never betray you.”
“I know,” I replied softly, smiling down at her.
I led Willa off the dance floor and out into the night—whisking her to safety, if only for a night.