“Are you?” His eyebrow arched, a skeptical smirk forming on his lips. “A curious reporter interested in me. How original.”
I held his gaze, refusing to let him intimidate me. “Curiosity is part of my job, Mr. Gray. And with someone as elusive as you, I’m sure you understand.”
His smirk widened slightly, though it held no warmth. “Perhaps. But I’d advise caution, Ms. Hayes. Not everyone enjoys having their lives dissected under a microscope.”
I matched his tone, refusing to back down. “Then maybe you shouldn’t have made yourself such an interesting subject.”
There was a brief, tense silence before his eyes narrowed, almost amused. “Bold,” he said quietly, his voice dropping lower.
He tilted his head slightly, studying me with what looked like a mix of amusement and disdain. “People like you, Ms. Hayes, often forget that curiosity can be dangerous.” His gaze lingered, his words carrying an implicit warning that most people would probably heed. But I wasn’t most people.
“Then let me be the exception,” I said, voice steady. “After all, if you have nothing to hide, you wouldn’t have a problem with me looking around.”