Page 44 of The Laughing Game

“I think so. I can’t remember, honestly. I get them mixed up, too.”

“Oh my God. Seriously, you people.” He rolled his eyes in the most adorable way and I smiled.

“Well, hopefully I’ll like this one,” I said, wanting to be agreeable, and not caring at all what movie we were here for.

Vihaal laughed softly.

“If you don’t,” Vihaal murmured, “I’ll simply have to distract you.”

“If you talk during this movie, V, I will murder you,” Gideon replied.

“I didn’t mean bytalking.”

Gideon unwound his scarf and dropped it on the table, then undid the buttons on his coat.

“Do you want to get some snacks? I’m gonna get popcorn.” Gideon stood.

“Nah, I’m good,” I said.

“Suit yourself. Back in a flash.”

Vihaal sat down in the chair beside mine, his coat falling open to reveal a pair of light wash jeans and a black Henley. I’d never seen him looking so casual and I liked it.

“I don’t go to the movies with Gideon very often,” he admitted. “Our tastes lie in different directions in this particular area.”

I laughed. “Not surprising. You’re so different.”

“Yes, well, opposites attract I suppose. Anyway, Gideon has been dying to see the newest Guards of the Universe movie for some time.”

I couldn’t help smiling at that. “It’s Guardians of the Galaxy.”

“Oh. Yes.” He laughed. “See? You’re going to come in handy, Angel.” His gaze tracked over me. “In a multitude of ways.”

A shiver of lust traveled down my spine.

“Did you read my report about the financials?” I asked. “What do you think about the things I flagged? They might be nothing.”

“But they might be something. Yes. I’m…concerned.”

“Did you tell Gideon?”

“Yes. He isveryconcerned. Thank you for looking them over. I’m going to follow up on this, Angel, I can assure you. Even if it’s all perfectly legitimate, I expect Dominic to keep better records of our purchases.”

Vihaal and I watched the people gathering in the lobby.

“I was impressed with how our experience in the Bordello went,” he said, not looking at me.

I couldn’t help admiring his profile for a moment before returning my gaze to our general surroundings.

“Good. Because I liked it very much,” I said.

He turned and smiled at me, with eyes that conveyed his pleasure. “You must have grown up in a liberal household, if you don’t have any qualms about pushing your sexual boundaries that way.”

“My parents were kind of hippies. My mom was older when she had me—I was kind of a surprise, but a happy one. As long as you weren’t hurting anyone, they were behind you, no matter what. My parents didn’t believe there was only one way of living.”

Vihaal sighed. “I wish my parents had been as accommodating.”

I frowned. “Did you have a bad home life as a kid?”

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