Page 37 of Violet

“Forget her.”

“She’s my sister.” I want to laugh; delight bubbles in me. The more frustrated he acts, the more relaxed I get. “I couldn’t do that if I tried.”

“Wow, you’re incorruptible. I can see now why the Monarch picked you. But I still…”

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“It means,” he says, sighing heavily as he sets our masks down, “I think you’re more of a princess than a Luxe. Innocent and unscarred.”

This time I laugh. I can’t help it.

“But if you truly don’t know,” he continues, “I’m a movie star. An actor. Played in movies likeKnot a ChanceandSummer Heat.”

“Are those porn films?”

He steps back, eyes wide in shock, and I instantly regret my words.

Stupid, Vi. Stupid! Just insult the man. Perfect way to get a mate.

Then, to my complete surprise, he laughs, shoulders bouncing and all.

My cheeks burn.

“You know, now that I think about it, they could sound like those kinds of movies. But no. They’re not. Just regular run-of-the-mill romantic comedies. Name’s Asher St. James.”

“So not Ashford?” I ask.

“Ashford is my real name. Stephan Ashford. Asher is my stage name,” he says.

He’s the famous Alpha everyone’s been talking about.

God, I’m an idiot. How do I save this conversation?

“I’m sorry. I-I haven’t really had time to go to the movies in a while.”

“Not on Stitch at all, either?”

“No…”

“See what I mean?” He smiles. “Princess.”

I move away and sit, but he comes and sits next to me, our thighs touching. It’s warm, nice, unsettling in a way I could crave.

“I’m not into Stitching,” I say, “unless it’s with a needle and thread.”

“You’re only making my case for me here.”

Damn, I guess I am. “So, you’re Heath’s friend? Nice to know he’s got one.”

He laughs. “I have stories.”

“Does he have stories about you?”

“Your brother’s turned into a gentleman. He’d never share.”

The tease in his voice is like being fed something delicious.

“And you?” I ask. “Are you an actoranda gentleman?”

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