Page 15 of The Devil's Deceit

“Will you judge me if I say I’m a little overexcited to see Destiny Winslow play in real life?”

I uncork the champagne and pour her a glass. “I’d rather you were overexcited to see me, but I’ll try not to sulk at being put in my place.”

She giggles, reaching out to take the glass of champagne from me. Our fingers make contact, and her eyes flare. Good. She felt the jolt of electricity, too. I was beginning to think the attraction was all one-sided.

“Cheers.” I tap my flute against hers, then sip. She does the same, her luminous blue eyes locked on mine. For a second, I’m transfixed, unable to tear my gaze away. “You have stunning eyes. Anyone ever told you that?”

Her skin heats for the second time, and she’s the first to look away. “Thank you.” Turning her back, she sits on the farthest seat.

I set my glass of champagne down and sit beside her. “You’re not used to compliments, are you, Grace?”

She doesn’t look at me. “They make me uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

Her left shoulder pops. “I don’t know. Does there have to be a reason?”

“No, although there usually is, just maybe one we don’twant to admit to ourselves.” I clasp her free hand and bring it to my lips. She allows me to, but she’s doing all she can to avoid looking at me. “I love complimenting the women I date. I adore making them feel good about themselves. And you, Lady Grace Ambrose, are one of the easiest women to compliment because you’re that fucking beautiful.”

She finally glances in my direction. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.”

Her tongue darts out to dampen her lips. God, I want to suck on that tongue.

“You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you, Christian?”

“Yes.”

The smile she gives me is genuine. “At least you’re honest.”

“I don’t like it when I’m lied to, therefore I try not to lie to others.” Which is disingenuous coming from me, considering I’m lying through my teeth to my entire family. Funny how I can convince myself of anything if it suits my agenda. But liars in general are something I can’t abide. Keeping the truth of my failure from my family isn’t outright lying, it’s lying by omission, and if it stops them from finding out how incompetent I truly am, I’ll live with it.

Her smile wavers, growing brittle rather than warm. “That’s… honorable.”

“My family and I are far from perfect, and many would laugh if they heard you use the word honorable as a description for any De Vil, but I want you to always feel you can be honest with me.”

Rubbing her lips together, she slowly shakes her head. “You’re nothing like I thought you’d be.”

“And how did you think I’d be?”

“I don’t know. Just not this.”

“And what isthis?”

“You’re…” She looks up and to the left. “Normal.”

I throw back my head and laugh. “Did you expect horns to sprout from my head?”

Her eyes narrow. “Now you’re teasing me.”

“It’s true, I am.” I bring her hand to my mouth and press my lips to her fingers for the second time, pleased when she doesn’t pull away. “I promise I’m only a devil in bed.”

“That’s awfully presumptuous of you.”

“I prefer to call it confidence.”

She juts out her chin. “I don’t sleep around.”