“You’re also a snob,” he accused lightly.
She opened her eyes to realize he’d watched her savor her first taste. Her heart hiccupped and her gaze got all tangled up in his intense stare. She licked her lips and his attention dropped to her mouth, making her pulse swerve again.
“I’m lucky enough to have been around the finer things in life.” She lifted the glass. “I make the most of it when I can.”
His brows went up in a prompt for more information.
“I’m not an escort,” she blurted, suddenly fearing that was why he’d offered to buy her this drink.
“I didn’t think you were.” He was definitely laughing at her behind that impassive expression. “Tell me about your new job.”
“I would, but then I’d have to kill you.”
His dark gaze flickered to her shoulders and the slender wrist holding the delicate glass. “You could try.”
“Don’t be fooled. I’ve taken self-defense. I’m actually very dangerous.”
“That, I believe.” His expression was relaxed and she had his full attention. It was heady. A glow of enjoyment spread through her chest.
“I’m trying to sound more exciting than I am,” she admitted. “The truth is I recently finished my BBA. I want to go into contract law, so I’m gaining experience in that field.”
“How old does that make you?” His brows lowered into a frown.
“Relax. I’m twenty-four. Old enough to drink.” And do other things. She bit back a smirk.
He made a noise of contemplation, and his gaze traveled over her short jacket and the dark hair gathered into the roll at her nape. “I couldn’t tell. You look young, but you seem very self-possessed.”
“Mature for my age?” she asked drily. “I’ve been told that all my life. Forty at fourteen.”
“Are you still speaking to the people who said that?”
“Ha. Yes. Because they weren’t wrong.” She shrugged. “I was in such a hurry to grow up, I finished my A levels at sixteen by home study. Regular school was too slow and boring.” And she had been helping Cinnia with her twins.
“Then what? You moved to Australia? Took a gap year?” His brows came together in calculation. “Or three?”
“I actually had most of a language degree completed by nineteen, but my education was interrupted.” Thanks to that absolute turd weasel, Gilbert. She washed away the bitterness on her tongue. “I started over when I moved to Australia. Transferring the credits wasn’t an option, but I still managed to finish early. I would have preferred to be further ahead by now, but…” She had needed to lick her wounds. Be someone else. Someone who didn’t make stupid mistakes.
“Is this new job articling?”
“No. That’s what I should be doing, but I’m sick of school.” She rolled the stem of her glass between her finger and thumb. “This is just a maternity cover as an EA, but it’s a good opportunity and puts me back into the real world. Plus, I’ll be closer to my sister and her children. They’re growing fast—” She stopped herself from prattling. “This is the real reason I didn’t want to tell you about it. It makes me sound very dull.”
“It could all be a lie to disguise the fact you’re really an assassin.” The corner of his mouth dug in before he hid the faint smile behind his glass.
“True. Siobhan isn’t even my real name.” She waved a dismissive hand. “That’s both a joke and the truth. Siobhan is my second name.”
“What’s your first name?”
She wrinkled her nose in reluctance. “I don’t share it. Not because I don’t like it. I was named for my great-grandmother and I don’t mind keeping her alive in that small way.”
Her name was Doreena. Siobhan had grown up as Dorry. Her family still called her that, but hearing it was something she both loved and hated. It made her feel connected to them, but it was an uncomfortable reminder of that silly girl who had screwed up so badly.
“I just prefer Siobhan.” Siobhan had her act together. Siobhan didn’t make dangerous mistakes.
“Here I thought you were going to admit to hiding from the law.”
“I love that you think I’m that interesting. No, the bald truth is I’m related by marriage to some very rich people.” She watched him, looking for signs he already knew, but only saw mild curiosity in his expression. “That’s how I can tell Cristal from Dom.” She tilted her glass. “I was stung by someone who used me to get close to them so I changed my name to distance myself.”
That was a very watered-down version. It was also a warning that she wouldn’t allow it to happen again.
