Page 84 of Merciless Heir
He doesn’t look insulted. “He projects. And you…”
“Me?”
“Have other reasons.”
He’s got me there. Kingston is an asshole, but his words have an undercurrent of heat and sexuality that dive deep into me.
“I’m Elliot,” the woman says, holding out her hand.
“Sadie.”
“Shall we?” says Kingston after he removes and hangs up my coat.
“Let’s.” Ryder grins at his brother. “It’s been boring so far. Maybe this will spice it up.”
I meet his family and his mother is also there. I exchange pleasantries with them all and the conversation is polite and nothing is given away from his mother—not that I expected it.
“Well?” Kingston appears, his mouth at my ear, hand light on my waist. Heat spreads through me from his touch and his scent. I want to lean back into him because having sex with him was a mistake.
The moment I let my guard down, all I want to do is give over to the lust that unfurls in my veins.
“Well what?”
“Learn anything? Because I haven’t.”
“Your mother is good.” I’m fighting the urge to lean against him, aware his brothers watch, all with small smiles. I like his family from our short and polite conversations, and their partners.
None of them fit the mold of the other rich I’ve rubbed shoulders with. The other rich here who are oblivious to the undercurrents in the room.
His lips brush my earlobe. “Or she’s innocent and you’re pushing me to think Mother’s up to something when she isn’t.”
Pulling away I turn to face him. This gives me a moment to catch hold of my equilibrium. “But you don’t think that, do you?”
“No,” he says, glancing past me a moment, “I don’t. But that doesn’t equate to me trusting you.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.” I take in a breath. “I’m getting some wine.”
With that flimsy excuse, I pull free and get one, shifting back as much as I can into the shadows, and then I get directions to the bathroom.
I’m not about to use the one on this floor. I don’t even want the bathroom. I’m here on a little mission.
Scarlett and Zoey are wearing their jewels and I can’t examine them without things getting awkward. But Elliot isn’t wearing hers, so I want to find their bedroom.
Athena said something to me about the photos and the way they’re made. The touch is lighter, more delicate than other Mininchi pieces.
I’ve seen some of those, up close and in person. Held them, studied. I haven’t seen a Sinclair Mininchi in person. I want to. I need to.
The bedroom is the fifth room I go into on the third floor. I know instantly it’s their private floor, and this is their bedroom. It’s a mix of art deco and modern. All class, and with beautiful plants, too. But I want her jewels. Not them specifically, just one.
There’s a chance, of course, they keep them in a safe, but I don’t think so.
This family isn’t over the top even though they drip more money than normal people can dream about.
Elliot would wear jewels, but they would always be a deliberate thought and I’m thinking the engagement is new, so that’s her jewelry of the evening. And her dress is simple, elegant and with the kind of lines that don’t demand adornment.
I rarely wear jewelry, but that’s me. Maybe she’s similar, I don’t know her. But I like getting in the heads of the people whose homes I’m in. Whether it’s for robbing or protecting, it’s all a puzzle that begs to be solved.
Elliot isn’t used to being center of attention, but she’s not precious. Her jewels will be away, but I’m betting her necklace—the Sinclair piece—won’t be. It’ll be something to see, to admire, to touch because it was given to her by Ryder. She’ll wear it, but on special occasions and this isn’t special to her.