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I left Miriam and pushed my way through the crowd. Not knowing where to look, I figured I’d just wander around until I found him. I walked through the exhibit hall, past the booths and displays, and into the main ballroom, where the concert was going to be held.
Yesssss!
There he was, in the middle of a crowd of people, holding court. Broad shoulders, dark blond hair, impeccable suit. Sigh.Okay, you saw him. Off you go now.
As if he could sense me, Grayson turned his head slightly and our eyes met. Heat slammed into my belly like a cannonball, and I hastily looked away, grabbing a drink from a passing waiter and taking a quick sip.
By the time I’d got control of my body enough to look back, he’d turned back to his audience.Alright, you’ve had your stare. That’s enough. Go straight back to the bar with Miriam.
Yeah, so maybe I had impulse control problems. Or a hot billionaire addiction? Either way, I couldn’t resist. I just wanted to get close enough to hear his voice.
I moved slowly through the crowd, stopping to talk to people here and there, trying not to be too obvious. Finally, I’d maneuvered myself, so I was standing right behind Grayson. You bet your ass I dragged in a deep breath, letting his scent wash over me. Yeah, it was a hot billionaire addiction, for sure.
“So, uh, are you singing tonight or something?”
“Sorry?”
A young guy stood in front of me in a sharp suit with slicked back hair. Kind of conventionally good looking. Well, he seemed to think so anyway. He gestured to my clothes. “That’s a weird outfit, if you’re not in some sort of cosplay. I mean, don’t get me wrong, it’s fucking hot. You just look out of place.”
There was no mistaking the tension that was rolling off Grayson right now, and yeah, maybe I was a little turned on. “That’s very fucking rude.”
He didn’t seem to know what to say to that, so I sipped my drink and gave him a level stare. When he still didn’t speak, I raised my eyebrow. It was a look that I’d perfected over years ofperforming in dive bars all over the country, and it had flayed far tougher men than this dweeb. “Think I’ll just…uh… go over there…”
“Great!” I smiled brightly. “Off you fuck.”
He went. I took another sip of my drink, willing myself to move away now. I’d had my moment. Still, one little touch wouldn’t hurt. There were plenty of people around us in this crowd. No one would see. I slipped my hand behind me, holding it there for a moment before tentatively reaching back and lightly touching Grayson’s hand.
Tingles ran up my arm when he returned the caress and I had to take a moment to get my breathing under control. Then we just stood there, secretly holding hands in a room full of a hundred people.
Okay, now you’re reeeally tempting fate. Step away!Finally, taking my own advice, I went to pull my hand from Grayson’s, only to feel his fingers tighten around mine.
Stepping sideways, I turned to look at him over my shoulder, to find his eyes on me. He looked at me for a long moment, then the shadow of a smile crossed his face. I smiled in return. Then did he let me go, and I walked off.
CHAPTER 37
Grayson
The whole night was fucking agony and the longer it wore on, the angrier I got. That brief, fleeting touch from Stef was not nearly enough.
And now she was up there, strutting on stage like a sex crazed goddess. Doing it to torture me, no doubt. Fuck. I hated everything about this situation.
Boudica’s performance ended, and the crowd erupted into applause. I didn’t. I handed my empty wine glass off to a server and was heading out of the theater before the clapping had even died down.
I waited in the shadows near the doorway to the green room. Moments later, the door opened and Stef emerged, surrounded by her bandmates. She was still glowing from her performance, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. As she walked past me, I reached out and grabbed her wrist.
She gasped, spinning back to look at me. “Jesus fuck, you scared me!”
“Come with me.”
We slipped down a corridor, my hand still wrapped around hers. I found a utility closet and pushed Stef inside, following her in and closing the door behind us.
“You drive me fucking crazy.”
Her only reply was a breathy laugh.
“You’re doing it on purpose.”
“I sure am.”