Page 45 of Sealing the Deal

She gives a small nod. “And you must be another pretty distraction in need of rescuing that Grayson picked up.”

I cross my arms before I even think about it, instinct more than attitude. A reflex honed behind a bar where men like to assume things. “Let’s get one thing straight,” I say in a tone just as cool as Helena’s. “I’m here because Grayson asked me for my help, not the other way around. I don’t know you. And you don’t know me. So, assume whatever you want, but you can wipe that look off your face. I don’t need anyone’s pity.”

For a second, I worry I’ve gone too far. I’ve only just met this woman and she’s Grayson’s little sister. And even though I don’t know her history, I know from the brief mentions of her from Grayson that her life hasn’t been easy. I’m about to apologize when Helena arches a perfectly groomed brow. There’s a faint hint of something in her eyes. Surprise. Maybe even respect. Clearly, she wasn’t expecting me to bite back.

“I see,” she says lightly. “So, you know my big brother well, then.”

I don’t hesitate. “Well enough to know he likes to help people but hates for anyone to know it.”

Her lips curve into a smile. “He told you about Ana?”

The name feels like a jab to my ribs. I don’t know about Ana. I don’t know who she is or what she is to Grayson, or why the sound of her name makes something twist in my chest. But there is no universe where I let Helena see that. I straighten my shoulders and meet her gaze. “Grayson has told me everything I need to know,” I reply evenly.

Inside, I’m reeling. Who the hell is Ana? And why do I suddenly care so much about the mention of another woman? Grayson and I aren’t a thing. He made that clear on the flight.

He’ll assume I’m trying to protect you, and that there’s something more between us than there is.

The truth is, we’re barely more than acquaintances. And when he’s not looking at me with an intensity that sets my body alight, he still irritates the hell out of me. I should be crammed into a narrow seat on a domestic flight back to Denver right now, still buzzing from the game, still high on the Stormhawks win. Instead, I’m standing in a New York penthouse in a dress that costs an unspeakable amount, being analyzed by a woman who’s known me for thirty seconds. And she’s the one member of the Ashborne family that Grayson actually likes. I’m suddenly not sure I want to know how bad his parents are.

Thankfully, Grayson appears in the doorway before Helena can land another dig. And that’s when all coherent thoughts evaporate. Because he looks so hot. No. More than hot. He looks delicious. I’ve seen this man in a suit before, but this one is cut sharper. It’s molded to show off muscle and broad shoulders and power. He looks like he could sweep me into his arms without breaking a sweat and carry me straight to his bed and⁠—

Stop. It’s just a suit on a man who asked me to have dinner with his family because I happened to be on his plane when he needed to detour. That’s all.

Still, the way his eyes darken when they land on me makes it dangerously hard to believe that. Because as his eyes roam over my body and then meet mine, I swear he’s having the exact same thought about taking me into his arms and into his bed.

“Flic.” My name is spoken deep and low, almost a growl. “You’re breathtaking.” The words slip out on a quiet exhale.

My pulse spikes. If it wasn’t for Helena’s very loud, very deliberate cackle of laughter, my knees might have buckled a little.

“I’m here too, Grayson,” she says.

He rolls his eyes. “I see you’ve introduced yourself.”

“I have,” Helena says smoothly. “She’s an interesting one.”

“An interesting one standing right here,” I cut in before she can dissect me further.

“Our car is waiting.” Grayson steps back to allow us to walk out the door before him.

In the elevator, Grayson’s cologne fills the small space. That smoky cedar wrapping around me in a way that feels far too intimate.

“How was the board meeting?” I ask, breaking the silence.

Helena laughs, but the sound lacks any humor. “Delightful as ever.”

I shoot Grayson a confused look.

“Helena is on the board, too,” he explains. “Our father put us both there, thinking we’d be easy votes so he could get his own way. He had no idea we’d be the opposite. And unlike half the board, our votes can’t be bought.”

Helena tilts her head. “Grayson, should we be talking about this now?” She shoots a quick glance at me.

Grayson leans against one of the mirrored walls, looking almost amused. “Flic, Helena thinks you might be one of our father’s spies. He occasionally tries to infiltrate our lives through people on his payroll.”

Surprise has my mouth drop open. “You’re joking.”

“I wish I was.” His expression darkens, and I sense we’re moving closer to whatever keeps him so tightly wound.

Grayson continues. “Helena, Flic owns a Stormhawks fan bar in Denver. I approached her to help me win over the fans and learn more about the city. She’s not someone our father would try to bribe. And the very last person who would ever accept a deal from him.”