THE SUN ROOM seemed to hold its breath with Mailah.
Mailah's lips parted, the yes or no trembling there, balanced on the edge of release. Grayson's hand was still wrapped around her wrist, his thumb brushing the rapid pulse there like he could anchor her answer in place.
The moonlight slid across the carpet in a pale sweep, painting them into a portrait of something fragile and dangerous.
And then—
A sound shattered the moment.
The shrill vibration of Grayson's phone broke through the air like a blade through silk.
Mailah startled, blinking, almost dropping back onto the sofa.
Grayson's eyes narrowed, irritated at the intrusion, but he pulled the phone from his pocket anyway, his thumb hovering over the screen.
"Who is it?" Mailah asked, still breathless, as though words alone could wrestle the moment back.
Grayson's jaw clenched. "Vivienne."
The name cut through her like a name out of some half-remembered fairytale.
