Page 13 of The Art of Being a Psychopath

He leaned closer. “Who’s going to stop me?” He winked, and the flutters I’d felt exploded like fireworks inside me when I felt the hint of power and dominance he was radiating in that moment.

He held my gaze, a slow almost predatory smile spreading across his handsome face.

Then he turned to Lloyd, and gestured to the ‘Follow You Heart’ piece.

“I’ll take that one,” he announced. “Have the papers sent to my assistant and arrange for it to be delivered to my Wintshire home.”

Just like that, he was buying it.

The art that I chose.

Because of me.

“Of course,” Lloyd replied, unable to hide the satisfaction of what his commission would look like after selling that piece so easily.

Alex turned to face me. “Will you be watching the live performance?”

“I’m not sure.” I twisted the stem of the peony in my fingers and looked across to Lloyd.

“She’s here to write a piece for the newspaper,” Lloyd stated. “Of course she’s going to see our star performer.”

“Then I can’t wait to read your article,” Alex said, ignoring Lloyd and focusing on me. And then I felt the brush of his hand against mine as he moved closer, and the whispered stroke of a finger as he smiled. “I know it’ll be amazing.”

CHAPTER

FIVE

EMMA

Standing and talking to Alex Kingston felt easy. Natural. It seemed cliche to say he wasn’t like any man I’d ever met before, but it was true. He had a wickedly sarcastic edge to him, but every time he looked at or spoke to me, he was completely different. As if he was unlocking a hidden part of himself just for me. As if he truly cared about what I thought.

He asked for my opinion on the artwork around us, about my career, my hopes and dreams, and he listened. Really listened. He was genuinely interested in what I had to say.

“Would you like to write for one of the nationals?” he asked, when I told him how eager I was to further my career.

“I don’t think that’ll happen,” I replied, sipping and emptying another glass of champagne.

He took the empty glass from my hand, brushing his fingers against mine, and I wondered if it was because he wanted another excuse to touch me.

I don’t know.

Maybe my ability to read the room was a bit wonky after drinking too much champagne on an empty stomach, and getting lost in his mesmerising gaze.

But when he tilted his head and frowned, saying, “Why wouldn’t it happen? I hope you’re not putting yourself down, Emma. I’m sure you’re just as good as anyone else out there doing the job.” I melted. I was truly convinced that he believed in me, even though he’d never read anything I’d written, and we hadn’t met before tonight. “I’d hire you,” he added with a smile.

“Maybe one day,” I mused, still holding the peony he’d given me and twirling it between my fingers, lost in daydreams of a new life with happiness and success, and a man who looked at me like I was the first woman he’d ever met. The only woman he’d ever want to meet. The champagne was really doing a number on me tonight.

I heard Lloyd sigh and glance at his watch as he announced, “We need to make our way to the courtyard, the performance will be starting soon,” before adding. “Come on, Emma. I’ll show you to the Press area.”

I wasn’t that keen on Lloyd at first, but now, I hated him for ripping me out of my dream and back to reality.

“She doesn’t need to go to the Press area,” Alex stated. “She can watch from our table.”

“But we don’t have enough chairs set up,” Lloyd fussed.

“Then I’ll stand,” Alex snapped. “It’s not a big deal.”

Lloyd clearly wasn’t happy as Tobey and Ethan said they weren’t bothered about their chairs either, and that I was welcome to join them.