Kade's Game (6 page)

"And it's just that easy.  Finish college and take over his business?"

I laugh, finding her too much like my father for my liking right now, and I'm dangerously close to sounding bitter.  But I rein it in.  She doesn't have a clue about all the work I've put into that place.  Most people don't.  Only my granddad appreciates it.

"Definitely not easy.  My father hates it.  He built his business on his own, and then he married into money.  He came from the belly of the lower-class, and he earned his right to stand high in the upper-class
—as you called it.  He thinks I should start at the ground-level and work my way up."

And he harps on it every chance he gets.

"And you don't feel you should have to?"  She has to stop sounding like him soon, or this night is over.  "You don't think there are people who have been working and waiting for an opportunity like you'll have?"

Apparently I'm going to have to rehash the same argument I've had with Paul Colton numerous times.  At least my dick isn't paying her a damn bit of attention right now.

"My grandfather needs someone to take over certain pieces of the business as soon as possible.  Those pieces aren't the ground-level.  Though there are others who have been waiting longer for this opportunity, this is the company my grandfather built from nothing.  He wants someone he can trust, and he knows that's me.  So is it unfair to some?  Yes.  But do I feel guilty for being the one my granddad trusts?  Hell no."

The look in her eyes changes from judgmental to... I don't know what it is, but I really like it.  Adoration maybe?  Surely not.  But she doesn't seem to want to shove her point down my throat anymore.

"You're fond of your grandfather," she says randomly, eliciting a grin from me as I resume filling the plates up with food.

"Very."  I point to her plate.  "If that's the end of the Capperton Inquisition, how about we move to the living room and watch a movie while we eat?"

I'm ready to get away from this topic, because talking about him hurts.  The fact that he has cancer haunts me daily.  I don't need the reminders.

"One more question," she says, following me as I make my way into the living room.

She's relentless.  Haven't we talked enough?  I don't want to discuss money, family, or futures for right now.

When she doesn't continue, I realize she's waiting on my permission to proceed.  So I put my food on the coffee table and sit down.

"Yes?"

"Why are you being so nice to me all of the sudden?"

It sucks that I was ever a dick to her.  Had I known... It was all stupid.  I should have invited her to stay here without having to be hauled into court and told what to do.

My eyes fall to her shoulder where the bruises have almost faded into nothing, no longer telling a story of how close she came to dying.  Instead of lying, I decide to be honest.

"Because believe it or not, I don't like knowing you got hurt.  I feel like an ass.  Seeing the proof of the damage that could have been done... Let's just say it scared me.  Now, can we eat?"

She finally settles in next to me and eats her burger like she's been starving for years.  That makes me smile.

Once we're done, she sets her plate down, and the small gap between us on the couch becomes nothing.  Our sides are touching, and it's not at all a comfortable thing when you've got arms like mine.  It makes it awkward.

At the risk of her telling me off, I toss my arm over the back of the couch, making room for her to get even closer.  Initially she doesn't, but as the boring movie progresses, she slowly gets closer, finally resting her body against mine.

I smile—since she can't see me—when her head nestles into my chest.  Then she damn near gets in my lap.  What's going on?

I sit completely still, scared I might spook her, and then I hear a soft little snore coming from her.  I've never thought a snore was cute, until now.  She's really getting under my skin.  I'm getting pathetic.

When her small hand comes up to rest on my chest, I use my free hand to hold it there, reveling in the feel of her.

Then, in her sleep, she murmurs, "I'm sorry, Kade."

I have no idea what she's sorry for, but I can only assume she's subconsciously feeling guilty for what she said earlier.  Since this movie is terrible, I decide to end the night by carrying her to bed.

Her arms wrap around my neck instinctively, and she sweetly presses her cheek against me as she gets comfortable.  I wish her lips didn't look so inviting.

When I make it to her room, I gently put her on the bed, staring at her long after the task of tucking her in is done.  My eyes hit her nightstand and see her phone.  I grab it up and call mine, then program my number into her phone.  I should have her number and she should have mine.  I didn't even know what she likes on her hamburger, and I couldn't call to ask.  Fortunately, I guessed right.

She looks too sweet to just leave, and I lose a bit of self control, kissing the top of her head.  Something inside me almost snaps, and a thudding in my chest worries me.  Raya Capperton is going to be a problem for me because she's one distraction I'm starting to want.

The music is pumping, people are pouring in, and Raya is still in her room.  I've been busy most of the day, considering everyone wants to text me all day on party days.  I almost regret this, because I'd rather just have a quiet night with Raya again.  It was... nice.  Most people don't make me feel so at ease, but after she quit interrogating me, it felt so... peaceful.

I wasn't thinking about everything I needed to do, or anything at all, really.  It was refreshing and needed.

"Kade, where's your girl?" Marcus asks, seeming to be already a little drunk, and he just got here.  Damn.  They'd better act right around her.

"She's still getting ready.  Upstairs."

I shrug, but in all honesty, I'm desperate to see what she looks like.  Hell, I just want to see her.

"She's sleeping in another room?" Mel asks, seeming skeptical.

Shit.

"No.  That's just the room she keeps her stuff in.  She prefers not to share closet space.  Besides, she wanted to surprise me," I lie, just like I do every time someone questions this relationship.

It's a lot of work to have a fake girlfriend.

Before anyone else can try to ask questions, I turn away to do something I absolutely hate, but it'll shut them up.

"Give me a shot," I call to Brock as he lines up at least thirty shot glasses, and I move into the dining room next to him.

"Hell yes," he says, offering me one almost straight away.

They act like it's a treat to see me take a shot, since I rarely do it.  But it works.  No more questions arise about me and Raya, but I take another glass for good measure, making their cheers roar.

I'll regret that later.

When I walk back into the living room, a divine body wrapped in a perfectly-fitted white dress is moving toward me.  Her dark hair is loosely curled, her perfect lips are edged up in a sexy grin, and her glistening legs seem to go on for fucking days.  Yeah... I just forgot how to breathe.  That's not good.

I have two choices
—grin or let my jaw flop.  I choose to grin, since it seems to be more respectable.

"Hey," I say, trying to sound as casual as possible.  But my eyes refuse to stay on hers, and I let my gaze rake up and down her, swallowing hard but discreetly. "Need one?" I ask, holding up my cup.

It's hard to speak right now.  The fewer words I try to use, the better.

"Here."  I hand her a cup, and then move to fill one up for Ember, the girl whose jaw dropped when she walked into the house.

I feel bad for not talking to her, but I had too many people to deal with already, and I wanted her to rush Raya along.  Talking to her would have delayed her bringing down this ravishing creature in white.  Fucking white!  Ah, hell.  Mel's game.

I hand the cup to Ember
, who starts twirling her hair, acting like she wants attention.  My eyes are otherwise engaged, though.  You couldn't peel them off Raya right now if you tried.

"Feel like introductions?" I ask, moving closer.

She sighs and frowns as though I've said something wrong, letting her eyes drift to the girl beside her for a second.  Did I miss something?

"Yeah, sure.  Ember, this is Kade.  Kade, Ember."

I laugh while shaking my head as my hand moves to the small of her back.  I stifle a groan when I feel how thin and tight the dress is.  She's officially trying to drive me insane.

"I've already met Ember when she came in to find you. I was asking if you wanted me to introduce you to everyone.  Let you get a feel for the crowd."

Her eyes become fixed on mine, and I almost feel drunk.  Maybe it's the shots.  It has to be the shots.  I only had two, but there's no other reason I should feel like this.

"Not right now.  I think I'll stick to nursing a beer and observing."

I feel disappointed already.  Her friend has abandoned her to go dance with Eric.  But Raya doesn't seem too worried.  In fact, she looks happy about that.

Jacob comes to talk to me about a research paper just as Raya's eyes come to rest on me.  I pretend not to notice her appraising me, slowly moving her eyes all over my body.  Damn, that feels good.  Did she just lick her lips? 
Ah, hell.  If I make it through this night, I'll be shocked.

Then Jacob draws my attention with his next words.

"Dad's bringing me on next year to run the shipping side of the business; let me get a feel for it."

Crap.  Now I have to go play the game.  He'll want someone to talk about this with, and I'm the perfect ear.

"That's a really good opportunity," I say, nodding.  "Congratulations.  I'm sure you'll handle it without a problem.  Hang on just a second."

I don't want Raya to wait on me, knowing how bored she'll be, so I lean over to talk to her.

"You good?" I ask, wishing I could just take some time to hang out with her.

"Um... yeah.  Go have fun," she says unsurely, looking around nervously.

"Business," I explain low enough for only her to hear, giving her a wink.  "
You
go have fun.  It'll be loud, so call me if you need me for anything.  My number is programmed in your phone."

Ah damn.  Her eyes are on my lips again.  Why does she love staring at them?  It really makes it hard to behave.  When she doesn't say anything else, I offer a wave and follow Jacob out as he chatters on about all the responsibilities he'll have.

I interject when necessary, making sure I seem incredibly interested, but my mind is on the girl I can't see from in here.  Several others come to talk business, all of them sounding like the brilliant minds they are.

They always listen when I speak, often agreeing with me.  This is usually my favorite part of the night, but right now, this is the last thing I want to be doing.

After what seems like an eternity, our small group is broken up by a warning.

"It's
Get Wet
time!" Mel announces over the dulled music.  "Same rules as always.  When you hear the song, grab someone to lock up with until it stops.  All ladies without a partner, prepare to be tossed in the pool!"

Shit.  "Sorry to cut this short, but I need to go check on my girl," I say, gathering a few claps on the back.

"Tonight, the
Get Wet
song is
Good Man
!" Mel says excitedly as I walk in.

That ass
Brock is already next to Raya.  Unbelievable.  I'll kick his ass and he knows it.  I don't care if he looks like he just ate The Rock for breakfast, I'll still kick his ass.

Mel makes her way to him, as always, and I start sifting through the crowd, quickly making it to Raya just in time.

My hands go around her waist just as the
Get Wet
song starts.  I spin her around, press her against the wall, and damn near shove my lips on hers.  But I stop just barely out of reach, teasing myself by letting her breath rake across my mouth.

"What... w-what are you doing?" she asks, swallowing audibly as soon as the hoarse words leave her lips.

"Making people think we're doing what we're supposed to be doing.  Otherwise, you'll get tossed in the pool.  Considering you're wearing white, and you don't have... much on back here,"—my hand slides over her ass on its own, and I tug her closer—"you might not need to get caught."

I don't know what compelled me to touch her so boldly, but it's too damn hard to pull back.  If she so much as leans forward just a little bit right now, I'd bruise her lips with the kiss I want to give her.  Not to mention the other things I'd probably do.

That's it.  No more tequila for me.

"Whenever you see Mel drift toward Brock," I say, motioning in their direction, "find me, and I'll make it look like we're just as engaged as everyone else enjoying the festivities."

"So they're a couple?" she asks, probably curious as to why Brock was most likely hitting on her.  I'll deal with him later.

"No," I say with a laugh, doing what I can to make that prospect sound preposterous.  She better not even think about paying him attention. "Brock isn't in the market to settle down, but Mel wants him. So, she plays this game every party.  When the DJ sees her close to Brock, he plays the song.  That's your cue.  Just find me, unless you want some strange guy locked on your lips or tossing you in the pool."

My eyes involuntarily move to her lips.  It makes it a little hard to breathe when my cock swells in my pants.  Just one kiss wouldn't be too bad, would it?  I could say someone was looking.  Right?

No.  No.  No.

"You do have your tongue pierced," she says suddenly, breaking me out of my mesmerized trance.  "I thought so," she adds, seeming to be talking to herself.

I smile as my eyes move to hers, and I resist the urge to show her some of the things I can do with it.  It was a spur of the moment thing
—something I did with absolutely no reason to do it.  Other than the fact that my dad hates it.

"You've been trying to get a look?" I ask, moving in closer.

I roll it to be between my teeth, giving her a better view, while possibly trying to seduce her.  I forget about the weapon in my mouth most days.  Had I known it would drive her as crazy as she's been driving me, I'd have been swirling this thing around quite a bit.

When it's apparent that her mind has either gone blank or scandalous, I pull it back and grin at her.

"You could have just asked."

The song ends, and I almost hear her labored breaths.  I'm already on the verge of breaking, and her sweet, breathless panting is close to pushing me over the edge.  She staggers as I lean back, and I grab her waist to steady her.  How much has she been drinking?

"I guess you did more than nurse that beer," I say teasingly.

A drunk Raya?  I'd love to see that.

"I guess so," she says, exciting me more.

There's no telling what truths I could get out of her if she gets drunk.  The mystery shrouding her might get squashed.  I look forward to this.

"Good.  You need to loosen up."

After retrieving her empty cup, I take her hand in mine and start leading her through the crowd.  She needs a refill.  Now.

I realize I haven't even complimented her tonight, and I silently chastise myself for such a lapse.

"That dress looks good on you.  I'm glad I didn't let you bypass the dresses you'd
never wear
," I say with a small grin.

Her giggle is so sweet and rewarding, but it also tempts me more.  When I smile, she giggles a little more.  Hell yes.  She's already close to being drunk.

I hand over her cup to the keg master, and look back at her.

Shit.  She's staring at Brock?  Really?  I won't allow that.  I'll have to keep a closer eye on her if she's getting drunk, because Brock isn't touching her.

"Don't tell me Brock's your type," I groan.

"No," she says, bringing her eyes back to mine.

Thank God.

"Good.  I really don't want Brock hanging out and making your room sound like a carnival."

Though I'm smiling, I'm serious as hell.

"No worries.  I can promise you won't be hearing anything like that coming from my room.  What about you?  Are any of these girls part of your
business?
"

A touch of jealousy
, perhaps?  Good.  I pretend as though I'm looking around to make sure, and then I shrug.

"Not in that way.  I'm friends with them, but I draw the line at those sorts of personal relationships with anyone you see in this room.  I don't need the drama later on in life.  This group
—these people—have some of the most influential parents I've met, which is why they're the hardest partiers.  Let's say I hook up with one.  Later on, she or her husband could be the hitch in a major business arrangement."

Again, I'm telling her too much.  I need to learn to keep this stuff to myself.

"You plan
really
far ahead, don't you?" she asks while shaking her head.

"I have to if I want to be successful.  Considering it'll be my grandfather's business I take over, I want to be very successful.  It's what he deserves."

Those eyes hold a depth of adoration I wasn't expecting, and for a second, I almost say to hell with us playing any game and just kiss her.  But I can't.  I don't know what I want from her, but I do know I can't let anyone else have her.  Could I try a relationship?  Would she be ready for that step?  How many shots of tequila have I had?

"Do you ever do anything
just
for fun?" she asks, looking up at me with those beautiful, innocent eyes.

"All sorts of things.  I'm driven, but I'm not a robot," I say while trying not to picture all the
fun
things I'd like to do with her.

"So?"

"I'm talking to you right now for fun.  I have no business interest in you."

I'm rewarded by her sexy grin, and I can't stop myself from smiling back.  I really like this version of Raya.