NESSA

I was shocked to see that the ballroom had emptied. I knew that Grayson and I had been outside for a long time, but I hadn't realized exactly how long.

"They don't let people linger at things like this," he muttered in my 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. "

He was talking like he knew from experience.

"Do you play at a lot of events?"

Grayson shrugged.

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

I swallowed, noticing that he was dragging me toward the piano that sat in the middle of the ballroom. The space felt a hell of a lot bigger when it was empty. Our footsteps echoed as we crossed the floor where we'd danced earlier, and I tried to keep up with Grayson without tripping on the hem of my dress. We passed the table where we'd all sat, and it felt forever ago that I'd stared up at Grayson for the first time, realizing he was here.

"You sounded amazing tonight," I said, the words just sort of tumbling out of my mouth with my recollections.

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

I rolled my eyes. "You don't need compliments, Grayson. You're cocky enough without them."

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

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Everett."

He shook his head, but that smile of his didn't fade. It was mischievous, playful, and I couldn't decide how I felt about it. Nervous laughter practically threatened to spill from my throat, and he hadn't even said or done anything yet.

"Come here," he said, turning around to tug on my hand. I flew into him, landing against his chest with a thud that took my breath away.

He caught me with a groan, arms wrapping around my waist, and at first, I thought that maybe I'd stepped on his foot or something. But then he muttered beneath his breath.

"God, you feel good in my arms."

I blinked up at him, that silly little laugh finally releasing. This guy didn't know how to not say how he felt. And there was something about it that was refreshing.

"Do you honestly say just whatever comes into your brain?" I asked while he stripped his coat off me and tossed it on the end of the piano bench. Without it, I suddenly felt naked in my sleeveless dress.

Grayson replied with a dark chuckle. "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."

His lips twitched, and he waited before saying anything else. Almost as if he'd hoped I'd tell him just to screw it and tell me anyway.

Part of me wanted to.

He exhaled and then whirled us around. Before I could even open my mouth to ask what the hell he was doing, Grayson lifted me on top of the closed grand piano, positioning me perfectly on the corner with one foot dangling just above the keys and the other over the smooth side.

"Spread your legs for me, Adler."

I nearly choked. "Why?"

"Because I'm going to show you something."

"What?"

He sighed, resting his palms on either side of my hips. Grayson lowered his voice, even though there wasn't another person in sight. It was just us.

"Listen, Nessa." He dragged his hand down his face before slapping it back on top of the piano.

I lowered my voice to match his. "I'm listening."

Grayson leaned in. I did, too. His lips tilted up, and I saw a bit of that mischief in them while he spoke. "You can fly solo all you want, darling. But then you're missing out on the hottest part of it. The whole point."

I was wondering if we would come back to this conversation. I probably should have just kept my mouth shut instead of telling Grayson about my unfulfilling sex life. Guys always liked to think that they're the ones who can change that.

"And what's that, Wilder? What's the whole point?"

His smokey eyes bore into mine, and heat curled in the pit of my stomach. It must be from the whiskey.

"A connection," he said.

Leaning back again, I crossed my arms over my chest, forgetting for a moment that I had on a severely low-cut dress. I didn't miss the quick flick of Grayson's eyes. Or the way it made me feel.

But, honestly. Whiskey, a sweeping ballroom, a fancy gown, a handsome man—it was a dangerous combination. Who wouldn't be affected? It didn't mean anything.

"Well, I've never felt that before," I countered. Even though it was a bit of a lie.

Grayson seemed to know it, too. But his lips just quirked to the side even more as he raised a brow. "Never, huh? I disagree," he breathed. "Because we have it. And I'll gladly give you a reminder."

"But you said—"

"I'll keep my promise, Adler. I don't lie. And I don't break promises. No kissing, no touching, I know."

"Then—"

"I'll show you," he cut in with a smile. "Patience."

Two of his fingers tapped the inside of my knee, a reminder that he'd wanted me to spread out for him. With hesitant movements, I did, just enough that my one leg slipped out of my gown. The slit on the side was riding high on my thigh now.

His gaze was appreciative as he plucked the glittering mask from my face, peeling his own off as well. He tossed them on the bench by his coat.

"I'm gonna need to see your face," he murmured, voice thick.

Sitting down at the piano, Grayson's fingers grazed my ankle as they found the keys. I inched backward so my heel wouldn't hit his hands while he played. I assumed he was going to play, anyway, and I secretly couldn't wait. But Grayson was taking his time. After trailing his eyes up my leg, he looked at me.

"No tights tonight, huh?"

I shook my head because I couldn't find my voice.

He made a noncommittal noise in the back of his throat before busying with the sleeves of his dress shirt. He rolled them up, exposing muscled forearms. And veins that twisted as he moved. His fingers folded the starchy shirt at a languid pace as though he knew I was watching him.

And then he started to play.

I gasped. But the gasp was two-fold.

Vibrations from the piano moved through me, spreading to every fingertip, every toe. But also because—

"This is my song. The one I've been writing."

He looked up at me beneath criminally long eyelashes. "I know."

I opened my mouth to reply, but he began playing louder, and it took my breath away as I felt the music fill my bones through the hammering keys beneath me.

"How?" I managed as I gripped the edge of the piano, trying not to get swept away.

"The walls are thin in Ackley Hall. And I can't help but stop and listen sometimes."

How he played the chords so effortlessly while still talking was captivating. I couldn't take my eyes off him while his fingers danced over the keys, finding the melody of the short, simple song I'd been toying around with for the last few weeks.

"I don't know the words, though," he said, looking up. "Sing for me?"

"I—" I shook my head. I couldn't even talk, let alone sing.

He smiled knowingly. "That's okay. Just live it, then."

Not listen to it. Not enjoy it. Live it.

My song, coming through this piano in gorgeous, luscious chords. I never even imagined it could sound this good. I never imagined it could feel this good. Grayson's fingers jumped from C to F to G, and every single note, I felt.

"Adler."

Grayson's low voice caught my attention, but I was transfixed.

"Look at me," he added, and I did, obeying without a second thought.

Despite the stillness of the ballroom, Grayson's light brown hair nearly looked windswept. Maybe he was on the edge of being blown away, too. Hooded eyes found me. God, he was gorgeous. Men weren't supposed to be this pretty. But my heart thumped in my chest, screaming at me that this moment was far more than raw physical attraction.

"Do you feel it?"

Yes.

I wasn't sure exactly what he was talking about, but I felt it.

I forgot to respond, though, too busy feeling.

So Grayson inched toward me, his fingers moving higher up the keys, playing the same melody only in a different octave. His knuckles hit the bottom of my shoes, and then the notes hit me.

He smirked. "How about now?"

"Yes," I managed to breathe this time, feeling heat and desperation rolling through me from the vibrations of the instrument. The song lilted like a waltz, but god, it was a wicked one.

"Lean forward," he commanded. "Slide your hands forward and lean into it."

I didn't know what was happening, but I found myself listening to his sure voice, knowing that I needed whatever he was going to give me. The top of my gown tightened with the change in position, and I felt my breasts bursting at the seams, nearly falling out as I leaned forward onto my palms.

Not that I cared. Not right now. Grayson's eyes lit up with a dangerous glow, but he didn't say anything. He didn't move from his spot on the bench or stop his hands from leeching magic from the piano. He just looked up at me, watching.

And then he started playing louder, and I couldn't help but whimper his name.

"Oh my god, Grayson."

He sucked in a breath before biting his lip to withhold a smile, shaking his head at the same time. Grayson knew what he was doing to me. My body was pulsing now. I felt needy and hot, and he was teasing me, pounding home the notes just below me so that the vibrating sound waves would torture my very soul.

It was almost like he was touching me. Like those fingers were dancing over me instead of the bits of ivory. Like he'd found that spot that made me tick, that made my heart and nerves go haywire, and decided to caress it until I came undone. How was it possible that he wasn't touching me?

My eyes rolled back, but Grayon's growly voice snapped them back.

"Look at me, Nessa."

I did. I looked, and I saw his quick breath. His jaw was tight, his expression intent. It urged me on. It took me in with a perusal that nearly did the trick.

And then he stopped.

I nearly begged him to keep going. He'd built the song up, and the abrupt ending left everything hanging.

Grayson stood, never looking away from me.

With slow strides, he walked to the corner of the piano. His hands encompassed my waist as he slid me down from where I sat. I brushed against his chest, and then my gaze dropped when I brushed against something even harder than his pecs. Grayson's erection was jutting out, and he didn't even bother trying to hide it.

He took a step back, breathing heavily as he leaned against the piano, caging me in.

"Don't look surprised, Adler. You fucking do things to me."

Grayson bent his head, resting it against the top of mine.

He inhaled. I inhaled. He exhaled. I exhaled. His breath hit my lips, and I wanted him to close the distance between us. I wanted to feel more of him, but he purposefully left space, not allowing our bodies to touch.

We were both aching; I was sure of it. But it was the only thing I was sure of. Every other part of me was a jumbled mess, trying to make sense out of what was happening.

Grayson's hand lifted and then dropped. One balled fist punched into his pocket.

"I know you felt it. I know that did things to you, too. But I need to hear it, Nessa."

"What do you need to hear?"

"That you get what I'm trying to tell you."

I swallowed. My throat was dry. The only part of me that was dry.

"I—I think I do, Grayson," I whispered.

I didn't dare talk louder than a whisper. Partly because I was afraid to break the spell that lingered around us. And partly because I was afraid of just how much I understood what Grayson was on about.

Maybe whiskey had nothing to do with how I felt.

"I promised I wouldn't touch you," he murmured. "And I won't, Adler. But I'm going to wake you up inside every chance I get until you know for sure."

He took a quick step away from me and nodded toward the door.

"That's another promise for you. Now let's get back."

I trailed a step behind him as he walked in the direction of the lobby, still dazed from the night. Sleep. All I needed was a good night of sleep, and tomorrow I could sort out all these feel—

"Wait, I need to text Madie," I blurted, stopping to fish my phone out of the hidden pocket in my dress. "I don't know where she is staying tonight with Bren. If they're in our room, there's no way in hell I can—"

Grayson looked over his shoulder at me. "Just stay in my room. Brodie is gone for the weekend."

"I—" I glanced down at the phone in my hand, nerves swirling in my stomach.

He gave me a knowing look. "You really think Madie's gonna answer her phone right now?"

He had a point there.

"Fine," I sighed. "But you better keep that promise of yours."

Shit, after what just happened, did I honestly even mean that?

Grayson smirked, and the way his lips curved was so satisfying that I felt a rush of heat so hot—

Well, that answers that.

"I'll keep my promises," he said, smile growing. "Both of them."

💗

Thanks for reading!
This scene has been dancing in my brain for a long time, and I hope you liked it.

ps the above song has been my nessa/grayson anthem since day one

xoxo amelie