Page 7 of Priceless

My body ached. I’d already been at the gala far longer than I wanted to be, and there was only so much more I could take. Between the too-tight corset and people who’d known my parents coming up to me and telling me how sorry they were—which happened every year—and telling me stories, I was done. I didn’t even want to go to the greenhouse anymore. I just wanted to go curl up in my bedroom, pretend it was a nest, and go to sleep.

Laura and Frank hadn’t looked in my direction for a while. There was a chance I could slip out without them noticing. They’d see on the cameras later, but then I’d already be gone.

The entire mansion was laced with cameras, inside and out. I’d never fully understood why, and I hadn’t allowed them in my rooms. But other than that? Everywhere.

Part of me wondered if it was to keep an eye on me. My aunt and uncle’s constant suspicion of me was absurd, given the control they held. Not that they allowed me to do enough to get away with anything.

“You’re Ocean, right?”

A male voice came from behind me. A tall man that I vaguely recognized as being one of Frank’s business acquaintances. If he was who I thought he was, he got kicked out of the holiday party last year for being so drunk. “Depends on who’s asking.”

He laughed like I’d made the funniest joke in the world. I wasn’t sure why. My statement was serious.

“They told me you were witty.”

I was too tired and in too much pain to play along, and I hadn’t wanted to in the first place. “And they didn’t tell me who you were at all.”

He bowed at the waist, smirking. “Jason Marsh. I work with your uncle.”

“Right. Nice to meet you. Have a good night.”

“Wait,” he reached out but didn’t manage to touch me. “That’s it? I was hoping to ask you to dance.”

The scent cancellers in the room were strong, but I could still smell him. He smelled green and not in the good, fresh-cut grass way. I wasn’t able to pinpoint it, but it wasn’t great, and the idea of standing close to him wasn’t appealing. “Thank you, but I think I’m finished for the evening.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Hands came down on my shoulders and pushed me toward the man. Laura had appeared out of nowhere. “She’ll be happy to dance with you.”

“Aunt Laura?—”

“He runs the biggest shipping network on the west coast. Give him whatever he wants,” she whispered harshly in my ear.

Jason, at least, pretended not to notice that my hand was being forced. I managed a smile. “One dance.”

“I’m honored.”

He smiled like he really was. But as soon as we were on the dance floor, he pulled me far too close, his hand wandering downward toward my ass. “I saw you as soon as I came in, and it took me all night to come talk to you.”

“Oh? Why? I’m not that scary.”

He shrugged, pulling me against him. “Wanted to make sure you were the one.”

“The one…?” I blinked, not understanding what was happening. His green scent wrapped around me, and I did my best to keep my reaction off my face. Wheatgrass? I wasn’t sure. The fact that I couldn’t identify it bothered me.

Chuckling, he turned us slowly to the music. “The one I’m going to take home with me.”

My mouth popped open, and I stared at him. All Jason did was grin. I shook my head. “Where the hell did you get that idea?”

Leaning in, his breath brushed my ear, and once again I smelled alcohol. He was drunk. “By looking at your ass in this dress.”

“That’s enough,” I told him, pulling back. “We’re done.”

His brow furrowed. “Why?”

“Because I’m not interested. You’re drunk, and I didn’t want to dance with you in the first place.”

All at once his face transformed into something ugly, and my heart fell. I knew that look. It wasn’t the look that meant I was in danger. Not physically. No, this was almost worse.

“You should be grateful. Not everyone’s going to want you. I’m offering you a good time. You should take it.”

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