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I stared at the concrete patch he’d indicated earlier. “That hardly appears to be a comfortable place to relax.” I already knew the companionship wouldn’t lend itself to relaxation either.

“Eh, can’t disagree there. I really hope you’ve got a better room for me in this huge place. A bed and bathroom would be fantastic. Not to mention somewhere I can cook a meal.”

My muscles tensed for another reason. “Has no one shown you to your quarters yet?”

“Would I still be sitting here if they had?”

“I wouldn’t know.”

Grayson appeared to roll that around in his head for a hot minute before he gave a curt nod. “Fair enough.” Standing, he dusted off the rear of his pants. “So, I do have somewhere else to hang my proverbial hat.”

I sighed, more than a bit embarrassed. Despite my feelings regarding Grayson’s presence, common courtesy was important and a practice that shouldn’t be forgotten. Being a gracious host was good manners, plain and simple. Clearly, we’d all dropped the ball.

Walking toward a door on the opposite side of the room, I waved a hand and said, “If you’d follow me. Please.” The last was reluctantly said.

“I’ll bet that last bit hurt.” Grayson chuckled. The sound sent odd little shivers down my spine. It was surprisingly pleasant and…honest? I wasn’t certain that was the correct term. Genuine might be better.

“You have no idea,” I grumbled, barely loud enough for Grayson to hear.

His mirth only grew. “You’re a bit more entertaining than I originally thought. Nice ass too.”

I came to a dead stop, swiftly turning, eyes wide as saucers. “You’re watching my ass?”

Grayson shoved his hands in his pockets and shrugged. “Sure. Like I said, it’s a nice ass. Why wouldn’t I look?”

“Why wouldn’t you…” My mouth opened and closed, words escaping me. My cheeks flushed, skin on fire. My indignation finally found a few letters to scramble together. “You don’t say things like that.”

“How do you know? Maybe I say shit like that all the time.”

I wasn’t ready to analyze why the thought of Grayson commenting on another’s assets bothered me more than the comment itself. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?” Grayson sounded genuinely confused.

“I… That’s something you might think, but you don’t say it out loud. Dear Gaia, were you born and raised in a barn? Do you truly have no manners at all?”

Grayson blew out an irritated breath and waved me off. “That’s ridiculous. Why keep something like that inside? I don’t keep secrets, Martin. I told you before, secrets are treasures that want to be found. Keeping something like that inside doesn’t feel good.”

Whatever I’d been about to say died on my lips as I truly considered those words. “It’s painful?”

“I wouldn’t go that far, but it’s not comfortable either. You’ll find I’m a pretty honest guy. Nearly every will-o’-the-wisp is. It’s another reason we’re not all that popular as a species. We’re not considered as bad as necromancers, but we’re not invited to a lot of parties either. Shame really. Will-o’-the-wisps like a good party and we tend to liven things up. If you ask me, others are missing out.”

I took a moment to ruminate on this latest bit of knowledge. Grayson was right. Will-o’-the-wisps were often blunt and said things that didn’t seem or feel appropriate. I’d always chalked it up to poor manners, but maybe that wasn’t it, or at least, not all it was.

I didn’t think Grayson Delarue was playing me. Admittedly, after Huxley’s betrayal, I wasn’t terribly confident when it came to trusting others. However, if it really made will-o’-the-wisps uncomfortable to not tell the truth…

“That is surprisingly refreshing,” I mumbled, more to myself than for Grayson’s benefit.

The grin lighting up Grayson’s face softened his features. “Bet that was even harder for you to say.”

“Not as much as you’d think.”

“Yeah? Huh.” Grayson rubbed the back of his neck, his shoulders rounded. Despite the restful position I’d found him in, Grayson truly did look tired.

“Come on,” I said, turning. “Let’s get you settled. I’m afraid I don’t have anyone to spare to collect your things.”

“No worries. I can call the hotel and have them bring my stuff over.”

Not knowing what to say, I kept walking. If there was an extra little swagger in my step and a slight sway to my hips, that was totally unintentional. And if I stood in my room later, turning just enough to see the outline of my ass… Well, no one needed to know that either.