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Sure, all of that made him handsome.On the verge of too handsome.But there was a rugged edge to him that made him intriguing.Still, it was a sharp-edged ruggedness that warned you to be wary.
Everything, save the thick, softly curling lashes surrounding his cold, shrewd eyes, was both a magnet and a warning beacon that cautioned while he was pretty, he was also dangerous.
“So you stood and watched?I might have saved my ritual for later."
"Casting a spell on the rest of the world?"
"If I thought casting a spell would work on the nepo babies and sycophants in there to make them donate more, I might try it.”
He smirked."Nepo babies and sycophants,huh?"
Easy.He’s here, so he’s likely one of those nepo babies.
"Would you categorize anyone in attendance differently?"
His amused gaze swept over me."Okay, so you're not enjoying the benefit then?"
Enjoying was the wrong word.My family had put on the Hearts and Hope Benefit every year for the last ten years to honor my mother.At seventeen, I had been placed on the board and put in charge of pulling it off.I loved this benefit.The fact that Becks Incorporated would no longer be able to afford to play host sliced through my already shattered heart.
I didn't tell him that though.Instead I feigned bravery.
"The benefit is great.It raised a lot of money for heart disease.I just don't like the song and dance.I wish that the people in there actually cared and weren't just here for an expensive meal, a tax write-off, and the see-and-be-seen aspect of it."
He cocked his head as he studied me."You certainly have a strong opinion."
"Idohave strong opinions.You seem surprised."
“Let’s call it refreshing.”The corner of his lips tipped up into what could only be described as a slightly insolent smirk.It was like he didn't give anything away without you working for it.I wasn't interested in working that hard.
"I want to go back inside,” I said.“If you’ll excuse me."
The leash he kept on his oh-so-precious smile loosened, and one escaped, rooting me to the balcony.Christ almighty.It was better for the world that he didn’t release them that often.A smile from him was paralyzing.
"Oh no, you don't.You blasted me with glitter and then basically called me, what was it?A nepo baby and sycophant."
Way to insult the donors, Gwen."I mean, I don't know you.So you tell me,areyou a nepo baby or a sycophant?"
There it was again.Another smirk."According to you, I probably fall under the nepo baby category.Can I ask who you are?"
I lifted my chin."I'm Gwen."
"Is that it?Just Gwen?"
Just my luck, he was probably one of my father's business associates.And given the financial troubles we were in, I probably didn't need to make it worse."Just Gwen to you, Mr.Atticus Price."
"You have my full name.How is that fair?"
"The world isn't fair, is it now?"
He flashed me a grin, and my heart stopped.Hell, time stopped.That grin should be illegal.When he bestowed it upon you, everything around him went dead still and it was all you could see.
That made it easier for people like him to prey on you.Like vampires.Wasn't that part of the lure?They stunned you with their beauty, and that made it easy to pounce.
I lowered my champagne bottle."So, you’re not trying to take over my spot?”
He cocked his head."Why do I get the impression that you wouldn't ever wait for anyone to dismiss you?"
I stood up a little straighter."You'd be right."
