Chapter 41
GREYSON
The edge of her jaw rested against my palm. Despite all her spit and fire, she really was just a delicate thing…easily broken.
Her chin trembled, but those dark eyes refused to drop from mine. I knew she would not relent until she cleared Madison’s name and let the world know that Jameson Worthington was in fact alive.
No matter how beautiful and sexy and intriguing I found her, I couldn’t let that happen.
This wasn’t just about my self-preservation—my reputation and fortune—although I was enough of a selfish, arrogant bastard to admit that was a major factor. This was about safeguarding Hailey.
If I let her leave and she caused waves in the media, Jameson would make sure she disappeared. And he wouldn’t be merciful about it.
“No, my chatty little bird. I won’t kill you, but I am going to cage you, to prevent you from getting yourself killed.”
She frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”
My mouth lifted at one corner.
She broke my grasp and backed away a few steps. Her eyes narrowed as she pointed at me. “Greyson, whatever it is you’re thinking…think again!”
I reached for a discarded pair of jeans slung over an antique steamer chest at the foot of my bed. I slipped them on, never breaking eye contact. As I pulled the jeans over my hips and zipped them, I studied her. “I need you to be reasonable about this, sweetheart.”
“Don’t call me sweetheart!”
“I was trying to be romantic. Would you prefer sweet tits? Wet little cunt? My little bedroom hellcat?”
Her head swiveled to the left, then the right again. “I swear to God, Greyson!”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “Looking for another weapon, my sweet? I see I’m going to have to instruct the staff to childproof the estate before you move in.”
She gripped her tangled curls on either side of her head and let out a frustrated scream. “Do you hear yourself? Only completely insane people or psychotic serial killers talk like that.”
She gestured wildly between us. “We only just met. You’ve admitted to being part of the plan to fucking frame my best friend for murder.
You think I give a shit that you’re the best sex I’ve ever had?
You think that matters compared to what you’ve done to my friend?
You rich bastards truly are soulless degenerates who have lost touch with reality if you think for one second that I would be with a man who betrayed my friend like that.
No matter how much money you offer me. Contrary to what you think, not everyone can be bought.
It’s not going to happen, Greyson. Never in a million years. ”
I took several slow, careful steps toward her. “So I’m the best sex you’ve ever had?”
Her eyes widened as she backed up. “That’s what you got out of all that I just said?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “I heard you, sweetheart. I just chose to ignore the parts I didn’t like.”
I continued to press forward, distracting her as I maneuvered her into a corner.
She stepped back with every step I advanced. “You can ignore it all you want, but it won’t change—”
Her back hit the wall. Her head whipped around—as if she needed to confirm the solid surface behind her—then those wide eyes snapped back to mine.
Her shoulders shifted to the left as she tried to bolt.
I slammed my right palm against the wall, blocking her escape.
She pivoted to her right.
I slammed my left palm against the wall, just at her shoulder, caging her in.
Her head whipped forward. “You tricked me.”
I leaned my hips into hers. “I never once said I would play fair, babygirl. I play to win. And you are the prize I’m after.”
She shoved against my chest, but I wouldn’t budge.
“I’m nobody’s whore and I won’t abandon my friend. Especially not for a soulless monster who can’t feel.”
Christ, her words sent a sharp twist of pain right through the center of my chest. Dangerously close to a real emotion—the kind I hadn’t allowed since I was a boy on a gravel drive, watching my parents’ taillights disappear toward yet another European holiday that didn’t include me.
I ruthlessly crushed the feeling. Sentiment was a luxury I’d never been able to afford.
I brushed her cheek with the pads of my fingers.
“Don’t be silly, little bird. The definition of a whore is someone who misuses their talents or sacrifices their self-respect for nominal financial gain.
I have every intention of making sure you use all your talents to the greatest effect.
And the financial gain will be significant considering your new status. ”
She stiffened. “What does that mean?”
“It means you will earn absolutely everything you get.” I braced for her reaction.
Then her body unexpectedly relaxed.
She tilted her head to the side. “No.” She jabbed the center of my chest with her finger.
“I’m on to you. You’re only saying that to get a rise out of me.
To distract me. You want me to react. You want me to throw a punch, or kick and scream so you have an excuse to subdue me.
And then what? One thing leads to another and you’re between my legs and I’ve forgotten all about my friend and thoughts of leaving? ”
I kissed the top of her shoulder and skimmed my lips over her collarbone, then kissed the top of her breast, just above the thin blanket she had wrapped around herself. “Why mess with perfection? The plan has worked before.”
“Not this time. I’m getting my clothes and I’m leaving. I’m heading straight to the authorities and I’m letting them know Jameson is alive. If they won’t listen to me, then I’ll contact the federal authorities. At some point, I’ll reach someone that bastard hasn’t bribed!”
I looked down at her. “You will not bend on this?”
“No.”
“There is nothing I can say that will convince you that this is too dangerous and to back off and let me handle it?”
Her lips twisted into a smirk as she lifted one eyebrow. “What do you think?”
“Not even if I promise to feast on your pretty pussy until you are delirious with pleasure and can’t remember your own name?”
“No!”
“Stubborn little bird.” I shook my head.
“Arrogant douchebag,” she fired back.
I inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. Nodded. “Well, you can’t say I didn’t try.”
Before she could react, I covered her mouth and nose with my hand, cutting off her oxygen.