“Don’t spread rumors, Angie,” Graham counters, pulling my body swiftly to his, making me grunt softly from the force of being slammed into his torso.
My body heats as we sway to the music. I can feel the familiar tingling between my thighs, and I know that I am wet. He makes me hot without even trying. The effect he has on me is intoxicating.
“I have a reputation to uphold.” His face is expressionless. “Your smart mouth will destroy my street cred.”
As soon as the words hit my ears, I howl with laughter. My lungs deflate as air pours out in a gush. My eyes squeeze shut harboring the tears from escaping. This man is a comedian. Street cred? Living in his gangster paradise penthouse. Who does he think he is? Some leader of MS-13?
“I’m so glad you find me so funny, Miss McFee. You surprise me with what you find humorous. Catches me completely off guard. We should play chess sometime.” His lips curve up and his brow quirks. “Winner gets a prize.”
The man screams sex, while my body screams please.
“I’m more game for Monopoly,” I deadpan. My face fights to remain serious.
His nose scrunches up in disapproval. “That game has absolutely no strategy from a business standpoint,” he scoffs, shaking his head back and forth.
The song changes and we continue with the new rhythm.
I smile a wicked grin. “Just teasing. Although, I’m surprised you don’t like it more.”
“And why is that?”
“You seem well versed in the whole notion of the buy-everything-and-conquer-the-world aspect of the game.”
His eyes go wild from my analysis, gripping me even tighter to his firm body. “I am good at conquering,” he agrees, putting the sexual spin on his words as if just to make me blush. “If we played Monopoly together and you owed money, I am sure we could work out a deal.” His eyes dance with mischief.
“Sexual favors as currency?”
Graham bursts out laughing at my newfound boldness. He spins me around, pulling me back tightly to his body. “And you would then own all my assets with that strategy, hotels and all. To think that the game I like least may become a new favorite.” He brushes his fingers up my ribcage, tickling my sides and making me jump.
“Something tells me you wouldn’t play fair.”
He shrugs. “Life is not fair.”
“That we can agree on,” I respond, meeting his smoldering eyes. I am here at this event now because life isn’t fucking fair.
Graham continues to stare, his gaze burning holes in the walls I built around myself for protection. I feel naked and vulnerable standing before him. His intensity guts me.
“You missed me, didn’t you, Miss McFee?”
I shake my head. “No, not really.”
“You are the world’s worst liar.”
After a minute to recircuit my brain, I am able to think more clearly. “Um, what are you doing here, anyway?”
“I thought for business. But somehow, you turned it into pleasure.” His eyes rake down my body, soaking in my curves. When I don’t say anything, he sighs. “I’m not a complete asshole, Angie. I do give to charity.”
“For a tax write-off, I’m sure,” I taunt.
Graham shrugs and flashes a cheeky smile, making me giggle. I just can’t stop laughing around him. He brings out a playful side that I thought I kept buried over years of pain.
My eyes catch Zander’s as he watches us dance. He is chatting with Ethan, so I doubt he is bored. Yet, a pang of guilt hits me hard. “I need to get back to my—”
“Date.” Graham’s words are laced with a harsh undertone.
“Friend.”
“Ha,” he huffs, “there’s no way that you can actually think that boy isn’t fawning all over you. You are insightful enough to know the signs.”