Chapter Five
Chapter
Five
ASHER KANE
Iknow that look.
Malachi wears it well—tight-lipped control, jaw locked just enough to hide whatever's gnawing at him. His gaze has barely left Elias and the girl since the moment he saw them speaking.
Interesting.
Elias isn't the type to be pulled in by just anyone. He prefers his books to people, hoards knowledge like a dragon with gold, and most women bore him before they've uttered their third sentence. But not her.
No, this one has his full attention.
And Malachi?
Malachi doesn't like that one bit.
I take a slow sip of my drink, swirling the amber liquid against the glass as I watch the scene unfold. Malachi, brooding. Elias, enthralled.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
The woman on my arm—some senator's daughter, or was it a hedge fund heiress?—tilts her head up at me, pouting slightly. "You've gone quiet," she murmurs, fingers trailing along my sleeve. "That's not like you."
She's not wrong.
I flash her an easy smile, all charm and warmth. "Apologies, darling. It seems I've been thoroughly distracted."
Her brows lift, hopeful. "By me?"
Oh, sweetheart.
I lift her hand, brushing a light kiss against her knuckles before pressing a fresh flute of champagne into her grasp. "By the night itself, of course," I say smoothly. "And what a night it is."
Her smile is soft, but her eyes flash with disappointment. She knows a dismissal when she hears one. To her credit, she doesn't make a scene—just gives me one last wistful look before she melts back into the crowd, already searching for another willing conversation partner.
And just like that, I'm free.
I set my drink down on a passing tray, adjusting the cuffs of my jacket as I make my way toward Elias and his newfound fascination.
As I approach, I catch the tail end of their conversation.
"Books that whisper when the room is quiet enough," Elias is saying, his voice softer than usual, like he's unearthing some great secret just for her.
Sage—Sage Holloway, that's her name, isn't it?—tilts her head, blue-grey eyes glinting. She's interested. Not just entertained, but genuinely intrigued.
Oh, Elias.
Poor, bookish Elias.
You've already lost.
Grinning, I step into their little bubble, sliding in effortlessly at Sage's side. "Books that whisper? Sounds like the kind of literature that would keep a man up at night."
Sage startles slightly, her gaze flicking to me in surprise.
Elias exhales through his nose. "Asher."
I flash him my most winning smile. "That's my name, don't wear it out."
His mouth tightens, but there's no real bite behind it. He knows what I'm doing. Hell, Malachi probably knows what I'm doing.
But does she?
I turn to Sage, letting my gaze sweep over her, slow enough to be intentional. Malachi wasn't wrong—there's something different about her. She carries herself with a quiet kind of strength, an understated elegance that isn't forced.
Interesting indeed.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced," I say, reaching for her hand before she can decide whether or not to offer it.
I don't kiss it—too predictable. Instead, I twist her wrist slightly, running my thumb over the delicate veins at the inside of her wrist, just a whisper of touch before releasing her.
She blinks, lips parting just slightly, but she doesn't pull away.
Hah.
Sage Holloway, you just became my new favorite mystery.
"Asher Kane," I tell her, my grin widening. "Charmed, I'm sure."
Sage doesn't pull away.
Interesting.
Most people do—either too flustered by my forwardness or too wary of what lies beneath my charm. She simply watches, blue-grey eyes sharp, calculating.
Smart girl.
I release her wrist, but not before my thumb brushes the delicate skin one last time, a whisper of sensation before I step back into my usual role—the one they all expect me to play.
The charmer. The rogue. The one who doesn't take anything seriously.
"Tell me, Sage Holloway," I say, slipping my hands into my pockets. "Do all librarians look at people like they're just waiting to crack them open like an old book? Or am I getting special treatment?"
Her lips curve slightly—not quite a smile, but close.
"It depends," she says, tilting her head just so. "Are you worth reading?"
Elias exhales heavily beside her, rubbing the bridge of his nose as if he can already feel where this is going.
God, it's fun to bother him.
"I like her," I announce, turning to Elias. "Where did you find this one? I thought you preferred to spend your nights seducing musty old manuscripts instead of women."
Elias levels me with a cool, unimpressed look. "You do realize you're interrupting something?"
"Of course I do," I say brightly. "That's half the fun."
Sage watches the exchange like she's trying to map the dynamic between us. Smart and careful. Observant. I wonder how much she's picking up already.
"Should I be honored?" she asks, arching a brow. "That you've taken such an interest?"
"Oh, absolutely," I say without missing a beat. "Malachi doesn't usually get so intrigued by anyone. And if Malachi is interested, well... that means I have to be."
That earns a reaction—a flicker of something behind her eyes, some calculation running behind her expression.
Elias exhales again. "Asher."
I glance over my shoulder, catching sight of Malachi across the room. He's watching. Of course, he is.
And there it is—his tell.
One brow, lifted just enough to be noticeable. Not dramatic, not overt, but enough.
Good.
Malachi likes to pretend he's above things like irritation, but I know better. And pushing him is always entertaining.
I turn back to Sage, grinning. "You know, Elias here rarely takes an interest in anyone outside of parchment and ink, so I have to say—I'm terribly curious. What's so special about you?"
Sage doesn't flinch under my scrutiny. Instead, she lifts her chin slightly, gaze steady. "Maybe you should ask yourself that question, Asher Kane."
Elias actually smirks. Oh, he likes this.
Before I can press further, the room shifts.
A hush ripples through the ballroom, the low hum of conversation fading into a near silence as the air thickens with expectation.
And just like that, the game between us is put on hold. For now.