“I’m still trying to give up,” I said.
I lit his cigarette, and as he blew out smoke, he said, “What I meant was that Reynard Crisp likes his victims young. There’s speculation he drugged Theadora the night Declan saved her.”
“Theadora told me about that. Why’s he even here?”
“Ask my mother? She’s in thick with him.”
“I won’t be asking her anything.” I scrunched my face. “She’s the reason I left in a hurry.”
His forehead creased. “Did she say something?”
“She asked me who I was and how I came to be there. I reminded her that I used to play here when we were kids.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry. She’s not the easiest person.”
“Sheiskind of scary. The one you don’t want to cross.”
He chuckled. “You got that right.”
His eyes locked into mine. It was like there was a man trying to burst out of his younger, playful version. Or it could have just been whenever I lowered my guard, I related to Ethan as that boy I’d climbed trees with growing up.
My body, however, had discovered a man. My skin prickled the longer he gazed at me, and my breasts felt full. I drew in a breath and tasted desire in the dewy air. His woodsy scent was intoxicating.
Time stood still. Even after we stubbed our cigarettes, we didn’t move. All I could see was conflict in his eyes as they swept over me.
Is that longing? Or does he just want me naked?That thought alone sent a shiver of desire up my thighs.
“Why don’t you come in and have a few drinks and something to eat?”
The alternative option of going back to my messy flat and drinking cheap wine was nowhere near as attractive.
“But what about your mother? She practically kicked me out.”
“You’re my guest. I live here.” He smiled and reverted to his playful self, which I welcomed.
It was an out-of-body experience as we walked along that magical path. “I still can’t believe you live here.”
“Remember when we used to play in the labyrinth?”
I stopped walking. “How can I forget? You tried to touch my breasts.”
“You let me kiss you though.” He wore that lazy smile that made me want to have dirty sex with him.
“You were horny then like you are now. Not much has changed.”
“I haven’t been with anyone since… us.” His mouth tugged up at one end.
This sudden shift from playful to serious left me speechless. I just pointed at the columned mansion’s entrance. “Show the way, then.”
What could I say? That I slept with Orson and hated it? Why do the hell did I do that?
I’d been drinking and convinced myself that Ethan was a bad idea. Orson gave me a nice neck rub. Then before I knew it, his hands were crushing my tits, and I surrendered my body and principles.
I entered the hall to a room of lively, colourful guests. The women in their stitched-on designer dresses were indistinguishable—all beautiful, svelte, and eyeing Ethan, the latest eligible billionaire, with their hungry gazes.
As I made my way through the throng, people stopped chatting and stared. The older guests gave me a nod, and the odd “Well done,” while others looked me up and down then looked away.
Their narrow-minded pretentiousness didn’t bother me. If anything, it made me want to laugh—as did the rich princesses, sticking up their pert noses at me. What did worry me, however, was Caroline Lovechilde. She looked at me like I was about to open fire on her collection of wealthy friends.