I raised an eyebrow at him because I wasn’t quite sure how anything I’d done or said could’ve reminded him of that.

“My father killed him in front of me because he thought Thompson had betrayed him. I was young, but I don’t think Thompson was a mole or some spy. I believe my father realized I was getting attached to him, so he had him executed. Thompson was a nice guy. Always calm and patient.” His lips turned up into a sad smile.

“I’m sorry,” I said quietly.

“Yeah, me too.”

“I need a drink. Care to join me?” I needed something to make me forget.

“Sure.”

We started down the hallway, and once we reached the room with the drinks, I grabbed two bottles of vodka. I handed one to James and kept the other. We sat down on the sofa and I brought the bottle to my lips and tipped it back, letting the tasty liquid burn its way down my throat.

“This is my private drinking room, by the way,” I said as I wiped my mouth. The others who lived or stayed here for longer periods of time had another one in a different part of the house.

He took a big gulp from his bottle and gave me a thumbs-up, which made me smile.

“Tell me something. Whatever. Just distract me.” I hugged the bottle to myself as I kicked off my shoes and pulled my feet up, then I turned toward him.

“If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?”

“Um, pretty much everywhere. I’ve never been out of the country. But if I had to pick one place, then it would be Paris.”

“Paris, huh? I’d come with you.” He grinned.

I took another sip of my drink and things were starting to look a little bit better. “Okay, that sounds like a good plan. Once I get some time off, we’re going to Paris.” I laughed. “I just don’t know if my boss will let me. She’s terrible.”

“She most definitely is.” He tipped the bottle toward me and then took another gulp.

“Hey, is it just me or is it suddenly hotter in here?” I put the bottle down on the small glass table in front of the sofa and caught the hem of my shirt, tugging it up. James was staring at me when I tossed my shirt to the floor, my thin red top the only thing covering my chest. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes filled with... I wasn’t sure what it was.

The bottle found its way to my lips again.

“It’s you,” he finally said, and I blinked at him in surprise.

“What?”

“You are hot.”