Chapter 9

The sarcasm in his eyes was blatant. His words weren't all that harsh on the surface, but every one of them went straight for the heart. Elliot knew exactly how proud Charisse was—being talked to like this would absolutely piss her off. He sat there waiting for her to argue back. But she didn't. Instead, she let out a small laugh, her voice calm and unbothered. "Yeah, I fall for people pretty easily. So what?" She raised her chin slightly. "Owen, Clayton... They've all got their own charm. Why shouldn't I like them?" Elliot's expression turned colder, tone sharper. "You? Like someone? You just fake that affectionate crap to cozy up to powerful guys." Back when she and Owen broke up, she'd acted all heartbroken, trying to make it seem like they had the perfect love story. And then what? She turned around and latched onto his uncle, going on and on about how wonderful he was and how much she adored him. Yeah right—that wasn't love, that was climbing the ladder. "Whether I'm fake or not, what's it to you, Mr. Grant?" "Of course it's my business. He's my uncle. You think I'm gonna let just anyone with a fake smile get near him?" "So what if he's your uncle? Clayton himself said he wanted to marry me." "He's getting on in years. Can't really blame him for being bad at reading people. Some folks are just too good at pretending. Full of sweet talk and lies—that kind of stuff's hard to guard against." Charisse let out a soft, almost amused laugh. "Well, maybe someone should check who's doing the 'guarding.' Some people were fooled so bad themselves, they've got no right acting all high and mighty now." That one hit home. The second she said it, the air between them felt like it dropped ten degrees. "Say that again," Elliot growled, his voice low and tight, every word iced over. Charisse pressed her lips together, clearly regretting that last bit. Elliot wasn't who he used to be. The kind of past he had wasn't something he'd want hauled up again—not now. But still, wasn't it him who threw the first punch? Dripping sarcasm, every word like a blade."What's wrong? Can't handle someone throwing your own words back at you, Elliot? You can dish it out, but no one's allowed to call you out?" Elliot stepped closer, pressure rolling off him like a storm cloud. "Keep going. See what happens when you try to 'call me out'." A warning bell rang in Charisse's mind. She didn't want to stir up more trouble here—after all, this was Clayton's turf. Too many people around. All it'd take was one wrong glance, one wrong assumption, and she'd be in real trouble. She tried to walk past him. He lifted an arm, blocking her path. She turned her head slightly, and bam, his other arm came up too. Now she was boxed in, cornered between the wall and him. His gaze bore down on her, low voice laced with danger. "Keep going?" Voices echoed faintly down the hallway—Clayton's was among them. Charisse's face hardened. "Move." Elliot didn't budge. Instead, he leaned in, the heat of his breath brushing her cheek. "If my uncle sees us like this, what do you think he'll assume? That I'm cornering you, or that you're shamelessly throwing yourself at me? Still hoping to marry up, huh?" Her eyes snapped shut. Whatever Clayton thought, this situation wouldn't end well. If someone caught them like this, it'd be seen as a slap in Clayton's face. No one got away with embarrassing Clayton. Her whole body tensed. Elliot's smirk deepened, like he knew he had her. "I can't judge your choices? Maybe. But I sure can ruin them. Believe it?" "Fine—I spoke out of turn, that's on me." Her voice came quick, clipped. "If that's not enough, we can talk, but not here, okay?" Footsteps were closing in fast, voices clearer by the second. "Nope." He glanced at her slowly, like he had all the time in the world. "Too late for sorry now." Charisse's pulse jumped. "Elliot, you—" "Round two of that five million." And with that, he tilted his head down and kissed her. Charisse's brain blanked. Her chest tightened like fireworks had exploded right behind her eyes. He's lost it. Completely.