Page 118 of Whiskey Lies

“Down boy,” Tessa murmurs. “I’ll take care of this.” She stalks off in their direction leaving me and Carter staring.

“That girl is something else,” I say to him.

He simply nods.

A hand claps around Carter’s back and he turns and smiles at the man. They speak to one another and then he turns to me. “You must be Cassius?”

I eye Carter, and he mouths Landry. “Yes, Mr. Landry, but you can call me Cash.” I take his hand and he shakes it firmly.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your grandfather is a good friend. How is he faring?”

I wince. “He’s been better. But he’s slowly getting back his strength.”

He shakes his head. “That’s too bad. As I always say, nothing is more important than family.”

I nod. “Couldn’t agree more.”

“Carter, I saw you walk in with that beautiful redhead. Where did she disappear to?” the man asks.

Carter points toward Tessa and smiles. “She’s a doll. Her name is Tessa Sanderson; she works for Vanity Fair.”

Landry raises his brow. “A reporter? Wouldn’t peg you as someone who wanted to mess with the media.” He laughs and Carter smiles.

“Sometimes you gotta tangle with the media.”

I shake my head and take another sip of my drink. “So, Mr. Landry, I’d love to set up an appointment with you this week. I’ve been spending more time at my family’s property in Bristol.”

The man perks up. “Oh, that’s just wonderful. I’m sure that makes your grandmother very happy. You have a beautiful home.”

I nod, but my attention is drawn to the way Hanson’s hand moves in circles on Grace’s back as they talk to Tessa and another man I don’t know.

“Isn’t that right, Cash?” Carter asks, trying to draw me back to the conversation taking place in front of me.

I look back at them but can’t shake the image of Hanson on Grace. “I’m sorry,” I say, “I just saw someone I need to speak to. Here’s my card, Mr. Landry. Please, let’s get together for lunch this week.”

He nods silently, likely stunned that I’m walking away from my opportunity to occupy his attention at his own party. Carter shoots me a glare, but I ignore him, my eyes moving to Grace.

As if she can feel my eyes on her back, she turns and offers me a small smile. I watch her turn to Hanson, whisper something, and then leave the conversation. He looks toward me and when he spots me his eyes narrow, and he nods his head in greeting. That’s about as friendly as we’ll get.

Behind Grace the sun is setting over the bay, and she looks ethereal walking toward me, her hair blowing slightly in the wind and her dress hugging her every curve. I’m hungry for her despite the fact that I had her only this morning. It feels like it’s been years since I last touched her.

“Whiskey, what are you doing here?” she says in her sexy lilt that has my pants growing tight.

Without stopping, I move closer and hug her as if we are friends who haven’t seen each other for a while. As soon as her ear is against my cheek, I inhale the smell of her and whisper, “You look so fucking beautiful tonight it actually hurts.”

She leans into me and moans a happy thank you. “You don’t look so bad yourself, Mr. James. You clean up quite well.”

She pulls away leaving me feeling desperate and bare, but not before she takes my hand in her own and squeezes. I squeeze back three times and feel myself relax when she flashes me one of her brilliant smiles. We don’t have a moment to speak before Hanson is behind her and wrapping his arm around her waist again, leaving my chest heaving against my shirt. Tessa shoots daggers at me and Grace mouths, “I’m yours.”

The words calm me momentarily.

Carter and Landry walk up, and soon I’m drawn into a conversation with all of them. Landry greets Grace with an easy smile. “I see Jonathan has been working hard at his convincing.”

Hanson smiles, Grace blushes, and my anger bubbles. “Working hard at what?” I ask without thinking.

Carter elbows me, but Landry misses it all. “Oh, I met Grace last week at an event with Jonathan. He told me Grace was the one that got away.”

As if perfectly timed, my sister and Vanessa walk up. “Was she now?” Cat says, her jaw tight.

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