Page 47 of Breach of Honor

I shrugged, offering a sheepish grin. It was true. We worked hard and hardly played. “I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

“Wow, I’m shocked. So then…” Lily turned back toward Simone.

Jason had stayed across the room with Peter, Will’s uncle. All the St. James men were over six feet. Next to them, I felt protected merely by their lofty size. These men were sophisticated, intelligent, and attractive.

My Will was no different. He worked out several times a week and played a round or two of golf each month with his dad, uncle, and grandfather. Seeing them together in one room was a sight to behold. They were four powerful, wealthy men with panty-dropping good looks. Mercy, they were the gold package.

But Jason Sayton didn’t fit in. Not that he was ugly by any means. Dark, dangerous, and evil just wasn’t my type. He was a bit shorter than Will, leaner, and had a cocky arrogance about him. It had been the first thing to turn me off to him in the elevator. He had a God’s-gift-to-women attitude.

How did he get in with this family who valued honor and respect?

Laughter echoed from across the room, waking me from my musings. It couldn’t have been more than several minutes since Will left, but it felt a lot longer. A sudden urge to pee made me shift as I stood beside Lily near a pair of french doors leading to a covered patio. She and Simone had changed topics and were now gabbing about some street fair.

I swayed from one side to the other. The pressure was hard to ignore. “Excuse me,” I interrupted in a low voice. “Where’s the bathroom?”

Simone smiled. “It’s off the entry, behind the staircase. Just go back the way you came.”

“Okay… thanks.”

Finding my way back wasn’t as simple as it sounded. The long journey passed several doors and secondary hallways gave me the impression the living room occupied the whole south side of the home. To be a kid growing up in this place had to have been magical with hundreds of hiding places. Yet, it likely was lonely as well.

My thoughts returned to Will. During our holiday in Carmel, he’d told me how the camaraderie among the men in his family was genuine. Even so, there had been a disconnect between Will and his father his whole life. Apparently, they didn’t do so well one-on-one. And now they’d gone off to talk just the two of them. It felt a little odd for them to duck out on Christmas, but I hoped they’d become closer for Will’s sake. I sensed he also wished they had a better relationship.

Sure enough, I found the single door behind the elegantly curved staircase. I breathed a sigh of relief, locking the door.

After doing my business, I took my time washing my hands, preening myself in the mirror, and enjoying the half bathroom’s general splendor. Every room could have been straight out ofArchitecturalDigestand not at all a home I’d want to live in. The French influences in the décor were too ornate for my taste. I preferred Will’s modern yet cozy beach house.

Butterflies stirred in my stomach. Moving in with Will was exciting and scary all at once. I’d never lived with a man before, only Lily. Will also hadn’t lived with anyone since college. After Carmel, I had a feeling we’d do okay. Mostly, I looked forward to going to bed with him each night.

The scary part wasn’t being with Will. It was more about fitting in with his family and their very public show of wealth. The alternative, I couldn’t imagine—a life without Will.

Somehow, I needed to find peace in the public eye. I had to if I wanted to be with Will. And I did, more than anything.

Moments later, I retraced my steps back down the long hallway. Maybe Will would be back from his talk with his dad. Dinner would commence soon as well.

Out of one of the secondary hallways, Jason appeared, blocking my route. “Fancy meeting you here.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Are you lost?”

“No, I’m not. Please excuse me.” I took a step forward, but he didn’t budge. My body tensed, and the beautiful flutters I’d had not long ago vanished, leaving me empty and alone.

“You’ve been avoiding me. Why is that?” He stepped toward me.

I backed into a wall, and his long arms caged me in. I wanted to scream but my mouth snapped shut, locking the panic that pulsed through my veins in my throat. Trapped by his towering length, I looked both ways, praying someone might appear, a maid or butler orWill. Anyone who would make this asshole get away from me.

“Are we playing a game of cat and mouse?”

“Your arrogance is disgusting. Step back,” I demanded, using every bit of strength and confidence I could gather while my defenses dwindled.

I didn’t faze him. He lowered his face to mine, brushing his nose in my hair and inhaling me. I swallowed hard as he lifted mistletoe above my head, a silver glint in his eyes. His lips puckered. “It’s tradition.” He flicked his determined eyes to the sprig.

“I’m with Will. Step. Back. Now,” I ordered through gritted teeth. As much as I wanted to kick him in the balls for ignoring me—disrespecting me—causing a scene wasn’t my style.

“Yes…Will. Well, let me tell you… I have more to offer in the way of bedroom activities than our dear William.”

The hairs on my nape prickled, and a shiver shot up my back.

“He may be rich, but I’ll be coming into a windfall soon… and I’ll be very generous with you.” His relaxed gaze settled on my chest as he brushed the sprig over my collar bone and trailed it down between my breasts.

I jolted, hitting his hand away. “Are you deaf? I said, step the fuck back.” I whisper-yelled, my heart racing as his silver eyes turned black.

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