All The Wild Ones | Wildfire Series

Grayson: A Wicked Waltz

G R A Y S O N

When Julian told me to strategize, this probably wasn't what he had in mind.

Because, yes, this was romance. But also...more than romance.

Fine. My intentions were a little bit wicked, and maybe I'd go to hell for that. After what Nessa had just said, though, how could I sit around and do nothing? I needed to make her see.

"They don't let people linger at things like this," I muttered in Nessa's ear as we headed inside. "They're strict about times because nothing good happens after midnight. And they'll have people in here early tomorrow to turn it around for a wedding or something else."

"Do you play at a lot of events?"

I shrugged. "No, not a ton. Just a few a year or whenever I hear of an opportunity like tonight."

She swallowed, eyes locking on the piano I was leading her toward. Our footsteps echoed in the empty ballroom, and I loved that I had her to myself in a place that dazzled like she did.

"You sounded amazing tonight," she muttered, soft enough that I barely heard it.

God, that compliment sounded really fucking good coming from her mouth. I hoped I'd get to hear something like that again before the night was over. Because I planned to be amazing for just her now.

I flashed a grin at Nessa over my shoulder. "You know, I think that's the first time you've ever complimented me."

Unsurprisingly, she rolled her eyes. "You don't need compliments, Grayson. You're cocky enough without them."

"I'm confident," I corrected. "There's a difference."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Everett."

Unable to let go of my smile, I shook my head. Nessa watched me with a giddy expression that I loved to see. She deserved to look happy like that. I didn't see it nearly enough, and now it was a mission of mine: to make Nessa Elez happy.

"Come here," I said, turning around to tug on her hand. She flew into me, landing against my chest—exactly where she belonged.

I groaned, caught off-guard at how perfect it felt to have her in my arms. I circled her waist before muttering under my breath.

"God, you feel good in my arms."

She blinked up at me, and then she did it. She laughed.

Beautiful fucking sound.

I needed to figure out how to hear it more often.

"Do you honestly say just whatever comes into your brain?" she asked while I stripped my coat off her and tossed it on the end of the piano bench. We couldn't have any extra fabric for what I was planning.

I chuckled lowly. "No, I definitely don't. Not even close. And I would be more than happy to spill all my dirty thoughts to you, but that would be in breach of the little deal we just made."

She had no idea the thoughts I was keeping at bay. Especially when she was wearing that goddamn dress. Especially when she looked at me beneath her eyelashes and laughed like she just did.

I breathed out an unsteady breath, trying to get ahold of myself. I needed to get her up on that piano before I lost it, and before I could second-guess this entire thing, I scooped Nessa into my arms and lifted her atop the grand piano. Once I got her in the perfect position on the corner of the instrument, I took a small step back.

"Spread your legs for me, Adler."

Her eyes grew round, and I knew I was probably pushing it. She didn't have anything to worry about, though. I wouldn't touch her, although I was definitely having a hard time not imagining this moment going in a completely different direction.