Fuck.
I glared at him and returned my eyes to my books, but the sensation of being watched didn’t leave me. Unlike the crawling in my skin that usually beset me at night, this felt different – I welcomed it. Icravedit. And I couldn’t understand why. Of all the Muses, I hated Dorien the most.
He destroyed my violin – the most precious thing I owned.
What I’d done to Ivan wasnothingon the hell I was going to rain down on Dorien… just as soon as I worked up the nerve.
I dared another look across at the Bad Boy of Baroque. He didn’t even try to hide that he was watching me. He leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing across his lips.
Dickweasel.
Those perfect lips parted. “Sprite, I—”
BANG.
I leaped out of my skin. My books clattered across the floor as the door banged against the wall. Heather strode across the room and planted both hands on either side of Dorien’s desk. “There you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. We’re supposed to practice together.”
“I’m not dueting with you.” The smirk never left Dorien’s face, but when he turned it toward Heather, it took on that cruel quality he’d hitherto reserved only for me.
“Dorien, don’t be silly. We have a month of recitals coming up. You know we play perfectly together, inside a concert hall and other places…” she trailed her fingers across his arm.
He shoved her hand away. “Heather, I’ve tried being nice, but you don’t seem to be getting the message. I’m not playing with you anymore. We’re over.”
“Don’t be so stupid.” Her voice took on a shrill tone, all the musicality sucked away. “You know I am your destiny, Dorien. You don’t screw with destiny.”
That’s kind of a weird thing to say.
“I screw whoever I choose, and it’s not you.”
“You’ll regret this.” Heather’s fingers curled into fists at her side. The vintage fur she wore slipped down over her shoulder. “You still think you’re so important, Mr. Bad Boy of Baroque. But you’ve slashed and burned your European career, and if you have any hopes of reaching the top again, you need me – and you know it.”
“I’ve never needed anyone, and that hasn’t changed.IfI decided to bring someone else to the top with me, it wouldn’t be five feet of spoiled bitch and weak fingering wrapped in dead animal skins. You’re not even interesting enough to string along anymore.”
“You’ll regret that. Call me when you come to your senses,” Heather hissed through gritted teeth. The door slammed behind her.
Interesting.
Nope.I reached for a book that had slid right to the back of the shelf.Not interesting. So two horrible people decided to be horrible separately. That is no concern of mine. I have an essay to write—
Dorien slid his chair out, the legs squeaking against the parquet floor. I went back to picking up my scattered books, crawling under my desk on my hands to reach a volume that had slid under the shelf.
“Faye.”
I jumped at my name on his lips, the word churning up a storm on my insides. My head hit the underside of my desk, sending my drink bottle flying off the end to bounce off my tailbone.Fucktrumpets. Ow.
I dared a peek over my shoulder. There was Dorien, in all his dark and brooding glory, leaning against the stacks with that smirk on his face as he stared at the most unflattering view of my ass I could have possibly presented him.
Dear Manderley ghost, if you really do exist, I’d appreciate you rattling some chains or splashing some ectoplasm aroundright now, or just opening the floor so I can fall in, please and thank you.
“Go away.” I slid out of the desk, my skirt riding high on my thighs. Color blazed in my cheeks, and I hated myself for it. I had no reason to feel embarrassed in front of Dorien, especially not after what he did.
“I want to talk about your mother.”
“Maybe I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Faye…” Dorien threw a glance over his shoulder, his eyes darting around the room. He was nervous, but why would he be? Dorien Valencourt had never been nervous a day in his life. “I don’t know if you know this, but we used to have a maid before you. Her name was Clare. She fell down the stairs and broke her neck.”
“Harrison thinks you pushed her,” I shot back.
