Page 5 of Fierce Hearts

I felt Gray before I saw him, his presence at my side both wanted and frustrating.

"I didn't mean to upset you," he said quietly as he waved the bartender over.

"You didn't." I took another sip as the bartender slid him his drink. "You just... made me think."

"Dangerous waters there." His smile was gentle, teasing. "Especially for someone as smart as you."

I laughed despite myself. "Flattery won't work on me, Cassaro."

"It's just a fact, Sof." He leaned against the bar. "But why are you denying this?"

The loaded question made me purse my lips. I stared at him, at the man who'd all but hurled me into a panic room as soon as shit had hit the fan. He was devastatingly handsome, and I'd been aware of it for years.

And he cared about me more than either of us wanted to admit. As I cared about him too.

"Why bring it up now?" I asked, my brow furrowing. "Why tonight?"

He considered this, swirling his drink. "Maybe seeing my sister take her chance at happiness made me think about my own."

"And you think that's with me?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain some semblance of control.

"I think there's something worth exploring between us." He stepped closer. "We have chemistry. We can just have some fun. No strings attached."

My breath caught. No strings attached. Just fun. Just tonight, maybe. No expectations, no pressure.

It was tempting, something to enjoy in the moment, to find pleasure in.

"I'm not sure Meredith would like that."

"Meredith doesn't need to know." He took a gulp of his own drink, those devilish eyes locking onto mine. "Besides, how is it any different from what she did?"

"So it's to get back at her?" I arched a brow, my mouth curling at the edge.

"No. I like you, Sof, always have. Besides, you are a part of this world already. Let's just have some fun. Sure, we've both had drinks, but tonight is a night of celebration. Why fight it?"

"I'm not sure it's a smart idea," I said, even as I felt myself wavering.

Grayson was a temptation I had done my best to ignore, but now… Maybe I could just shove all my thoughts and feelings aside. Enjoy some fun with a man that made my body respond already. It was bound to be exciting. Surely.

"Not all choices have to be smart, and as long as no one dies, there's nothing to worry about." He shrugged. "Let's enjoy ourselves. Unless you don't feel anything in return, Sof."

I looked past him to Meredith again, radiant in her happiness. She'd taken her chance. Leapt into the unknown, seized the moment.

Maybe I could do the same. Just for tonight. To have a little fun and let loose.

"No strings," I repeated, meeting his eyes.

"None," he agreed, but something in his gaze made me wonder if either of us truly believed that. There was more here, we both knew that.

But we could pretend there wasn’t.

I downed the last of my drink, a smile claiming my lips as he mirrored the expression.

"Just for tonight."

CHAPTER2

GRAYSON

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