Page 69 of Hell House
“Please, don’t drop me.” I cling to his biceps noting the way they hold me with ease.
“I wouldn’t dream of letting you go.” His words land heavy with meaning as he pulls me up
The dance comes to a close and his hands are still wrapped around me. My breath is coming in fast like I just ran a marathon, and I honestly don’t know if it’s because of Pierce or because of the dance. He finally lets me go, just as Walker and Lukas come over. Walker hands me a flute of champagne as he tucks me against him, whisking me away from Pierce in one swift move. I see Pierce’s body go ridged, a muscle in his jaw twitching as his eyes dart between Walker and I.
“You guys were certainly something out there.” Lukas says with a smirk.
Walker leans down to say something in my ear, my emotions are in a whirlwind over that dance and the words Piece said to me that I miss whatever Walker is saying. I’m about to have him repeat himself, when a tall man with silver hair steps over. He has a commanding presence and is the epitome of a silver fox.
“Pierce. Must you and your brother embarrass me at every event?” I feel a stab of ice in my chest at his words. This must be the twin’s father.
“Hi, I’m Salem. Nice to meet you.” I hold out my hand at an attempt to be cordial but am met with contempt as he stares at my outstretched hand. He turns to Pierce and says, “Control your whore, you looked absolutely ridiculous out there.”
I drop my hand in shock. Walker pulls me in tighter. I look over to Pierce to see what he’ll do, but he just puts his hands in his pockets avoiding me. The moment stretches and I feel everything from tonight between us going up in smoke. I’m so fucking stupid to believe I was any different than his many conquests. Embarrassment coats my chest and I feel my cheeks flame. A heady mix of anger, disappointment and confusion licks at my heart.
“Excuse me.” I say, wrenching myself out of Walker’s grasp. I need some air and thankfully the sky is looking like it’s stopped raining. At least I knew exactly where Pierce’s asshole nature came from.
CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT
Skye
The house is basically empty and I’m not one to let it go to waste. I dig into the leftovers eagerly. With no one here to fight me over it, I get the best piece of lasagna, sinking my teeth into the layers of cheese and sauce. I’m immediately thankful for Graham’s family recipes and his obsession with cooking large meals. Once I pack away more than my weight in pasta, I decide to explore the house. There are far too many rooms to count, the manor house sprawling out for ages. It’s like a gothic architect made a baby with the Victorian era and splashed in a touch of Baroque for a bit of extra flavor. The result was this creepy as heck house that I was slightly regretting being alone in, now that I was really looking at how it screamed haunted house vibes.
“Hey!”
“Oh my God! Sloan. You scared me.”
“Sorry. I saw you ogling the fireplace and thought it would be rude not to say hi.”
“I’m glad you did. I was just thinking how haunted this place looks without everyone here.”
“You’re not at the ball?”
“Not a legacy.” I shrug.
“Me either.” He mimics my shrug. “Do you want to come play a game with me?”
I smile letting him lead the way.
“I didn’t even know we had a game room.” It was obvious this room was well lived in, with several empty beer cans and blankets strewn around the couch and chairs that flanked a large flatscreen TV. Sloan hands me a game controller.
“I have a confession…” I say sitting on the other end of the couch. “I’ve never played any video games.”
“You’re kidding me.”
I shake my head. “It was just me and my Dad on the road exploring. We didn’t have much time to sit and play, plus there was my art.”
“Well, I’m honored to pop that cherry of yours, Skye.” His eyes twinkle as he breaks down the game for me, showing me how to hold the controller and which buttons I should press and when.
He presses play and I last all of five seconds before I’m shot, feeling the controller shake in my hands.
“What!” I shriek. Sloan lets out a belly laugh.
“Okay, let’s try that again.” I set my shoulders determined to at least make it a full minute this time.
He hovers his fingers over the start button, “Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
