And maybe that’s why I don’t hear it until it’s too late. The clink of ice cubes against glass, the patter of leather soles on the floor, the scrape of chairs.

And the familiar authoritative tone of the chancellor.

All of it registers just seconds after I set eyes on the group of men conversing in Sebastian’s main living space. He’s front and center, amusement quirking his lips as he pins me to the spot with his hypnotic stare. That same voice that sent me in here, empowered with blind bravado, now screams at me to flee before his guests turn around and find me on the verge of the room, frozen into a pillar.

Like the foolish woman in the Bible who ignored the warning and suffered the consequences.

Panic takes hold, and I break free, about to turn back the way I came, when Liam cranes his neck and spots me. “What are you doing here?” There’s no question of the shock in his expression, followed by the slow descent of angry suspicion that tightens his mouth. The other man also looks over his shoulder, a spectator to the drama unfolding, and I recognize him by his blond ponytail.

Vance. The doctor. The man I’ll spend the next month with before the lion ensnares me.

Sebastian grins as he takes me in from my bare feet to the overcoat hiding my lingerie-clad body. “I know why she’s here.”

“I’m s-sorry,” I stutter, feet stumbling back. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I can come back another time.” I turn to flee, but Sebastian’s words kill any chance I have of getting out of here unscathed.

“I have eyes, princess. I see you, and I sure as hell know you see me. Deal’s a deal.”

I whirl, sudden anger taking the lead. “There was no deal.”

He cocks his head. “Wasn’t there?”

“There was only you demanding and me not answering.”

He shakes his head. “I recall you saying something along the lines of…” He snaps his fingers. “That’s right. You said you wanted to taste me.”

Liam stands, his fisted hands disappearing into the pockets of his slacks as he looks between Sebastian and me. “What the hell is going on? What’s he talking about, Novalee?”

“That’s none of your business,” Sebastian answers before I can get a word off my tongue. “You can either stick around for the show, or cut your losses and leave.” He gestures toward the foyer behind me. “But if you do, you can forget talks of negotiation.”

“Forget it,” I tell Sebastian, seething. “I won’t play your games.”

“You’ve been playing since we met.”

“As of now, the game is over.” Turning my back on the three of them, I flee Sebastian’s house, gripping my coat as I run for modesty’s sake.