Page 16 of King of Players

“Mr. Niles, you’re the one who asked for this meeting. And I’m the one still lost about its purpose.” She paused, taking a sip of her wine, narrowing her eyes as she looked away. When she turned to me, her face was completely emotionless. “Are you attracted to me, Mr. Niles? Is that what’s clouding the potential of our partnership?”

Her question should have surprised me. But then again, I was the one who waltzed in here, advocating transparency. Throwing back my head, I chugged down what was left of my drink before lowering the glass somewhat dramatically. “You do realize that you are, somehow, trying to beat around the bush… camouflaging it as a quest for honesty.”

“How so?”

Standing up, I slowly made my way over to where she sat, leaning closely to her face while my eyes pierced through hers. My hand aimed for the wine bottle she had sat down on the tiled floor next to her foot, but I enjoyed the proximity. Her eyes said nothing. As my fingers grabbed the bottle, I felt my breath bounce back from her face to mine. “Because your mixed signals aren’t lost on me.”

Springing back up, I generously poured some wine into my whiskey glass, feeling the heat of her dismay burn a hole in my hands.

“This has nothing to do with the foundation, does it?” she finally asked as I turned around, heading back to my seat away from her.

“Not really,” I admitted without glancing backward. “I’m just trying to understand you… and the reasons why I can’t get you out of my head.”

“I can’t help you with the latter.”

Sitting down, I placed each leg on either side of the chaise lounge, leaving my legs open wide in front of her. “And the first point?”

“I’m afraid it doesn’t take one conversation to understand a person.”

I sighed, making it audible and sharp. “You’re saying you can’t help me at all.”

“Perhaps.”

“You’re wrong.” She tilted her head, staring at me with apparent curiosity in her eyes. Something inside told me that she knew exactly what I was talking about. “You only enjoy playing this game.”

Her face turned serious. “I assure you, Mr. Niles, I don’t have time for—”

“Games? Fun? A sincere human encounter?”

Her voice jumped up a notch. “My life is filled with sincere human encounters, Mr. Niles. And I do not appreciate what you’re insinuating. Nor do I enjoy your idea of forcing me into a corner.”

“I am not so naïve as to believe that there’s a corner big enough to contain you.”

And then she smiled… was it a victory smile? Or a gesture aimed at confusing me?

seven

Another Dimension

Kaira

“ I am not so naïve as to believe that there’s a corner big enough to contain you.”

Did I expect a film line? Definitely. Was that one? Who the hell knew? I wasn’t in the habit of entertaining the sort of films in which Chad Niles had starred, nor had I expected any of the conversation he had sprung on me this evening.

Savoring a mouthful of wine, I watched him with the eyes that didn’t expect him to be so eloquent without a pre-written script. His gaze met mine and lingered, stoking the spark inside of me that was soon turning into a small but powerful flame.

When I smiled, I wanted to let him know that I appreciated whatever it was that he was trying to do. A man like him had options—many choices, in fact, that he didn’t need to negotiate anything with any woman. His money opened all doors. His popularity granted him instant business. His looks rendered him irresistible.

So, what was he doing here with me? Was I just an exciting conquest, the fulfillment of which promised to add a new star to his ego roll?

But what about me?

Why was I experiencing this strange, burning sensation in parts of my body, while others refused to sit still? My hand reached for the back of my neck, brushing a stray lock of hair upward. My thighs pressed inward, fighting against each other to keep from rebounding. I felt my heart in my throat, and as if that wasn’t desperate enough, I prayed to the gods of darkness to conceal the blush in my cheeks.

I wanted him?

Really?

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