Page 38 of Forbidden Game

“I’m not,” he admits. “But I make it my job to know my rivals inside and out, Ms. Lake.” His lips curl around my name with a flirty tone. Unfortunately for him, it has no effect on me. Like I said, being around The System has made me immune to the whims of hot guys.

Well, most of them.

A fire burns through my blood and my palms begin to sweat as I remember this morning. I’ve come into contact with Parker’s dick one too many times this last week. I literally just stared at him while my hand cupped his dick.

Mortification rips through my body again. I’m having second-hand embarrassment at myself.

The story of my life: Attracted and Embarrassed.

It sounds like the name of a trashy reality show.

“And that’s game. Victory goes to the blue team,” the male announcer states.

Parker’s team lets out a series of whoops as they clap each other on the back. The last time I saw him this happy was when he bought his blue Ferrari from a custom dealer in Italy last year. Not that Parker isn’t always smiling and joking, but there is pure, uninhibited joy in his eyes right now. It’s contagious. It makes me smile back.

Parker starts to put his blue LED mask on, but he gives the crowd a quick scan, his gaze landing on mine. The smile on his face falters briefly when he notices Jace by my side. But ever the showman, Parker just lets his smile shine brighter before winking at the crowd and slipping his mask on.

Now, he could be scowling at Jace and no one would know.

He holds hands and bows with his team. But instead of walking offstage with them, he jumps down and comes up to us, walking through the small mosh pit around the stage. The publicist in me freaks out for a second until I see one of the security guards jump into action to help him through the crowd.

I swear, that boy doesn’t think sometimes.

With the help of the security guard, Parker gets through the wave of fans and up to the raised deck where I’m seated.

“You’re supposed to be in the greenroom,” I scold him. “Your speedrun is in an hour.”

“That’s plenty of time.”

It’s not, really. Not when he has two interviews lined up after the speedrun and an invitation to a network party tonight. He needs every second of rest he can get.

“Jace, didn’t know you were in town, mate.”

Jace eyes Parker, and I don’t miss the way his gaze bounces across the mask.

It unsettles him.

I tamp down the laugh that threatens to spill. Even though everyone knows who The System is now, it hasn’t done anything to mitigate the intense aura these men exude when in their gaming personas. They’ve always held the attention of every room they’re in, and people are afraid of their undeniable power. The masks definitely add to that.

When Parker is EnglishCoffee, there is no stopping the self-assured cockiness he bleeds.

“I was just in Vegas. Flew in on the jet this morning when I heard you’d made an appearance at the hotel. It’s always a glorious day when a Covington admits defeat and stays at the Kelton.”

“Defeat?” Parker laughs. “I just wanted to see what the standard was in Colorado. Considering your hotel botched our reservation, I’d have to say it wouldn’t take much for us to raise the bar.”

“A minor oversight.” The muscle in Jace’s jaw ticks. “Early snowstorm threw everyone for a tizzy.”

Jace is in a similar position to Parker. His family has numerous hotels across Europe, but unlike the Covingtons, the Keltons have a large market share in the USA. If I remember correctly, he is a year or so older, which isn’t saying much considering Parker is only twenty-four.

“Whatever you say.”

“You always give me a headache, Covington,” Jace sighs.

“It’s one of my many charms.”

I know Parker is grinning like a madman beneath that mask.

“I look forward to your event later.” Jace places his hand on my shoulder. “I even have this beautiful lady to keep me company.”

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