Page 53 of Fifth Avenue Devil

Annalise’s tone is casual.

"I’m just curious. I did some research on you. There are quite a few articles mentioning your prowess at the stock market." Her gaze is direct and unapologetic.

"So you've been stalking me online?" I joke. Really, I’m trying to mask my surprise.

"I spent a whole day researching you online," she fires back. "Right after we met. I decided I needed to know everything that there is to know about you. Now, are you going to answer my question?"

I think over my answer for a few beats. "Playing the market is all about strategy and timing. You need to know when to buy, when to sell, and be ready to take risks. I am as excellent at the stock market as I am at poker."

"Interesting," she muses, pursing her lips. “Give me a tip so that I know that you walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.”

“Psh. You just want to make a little money.”

Annalise licks her lips and then smiles wanly. “Okay. Say you’re right. Tell me the next stock you’re going to make millions off of.”

"All right," I say. "I'm about to short a stock on the brink of collapse. It trades under IVZE. It's risky, but the potential rewards are immense."

Annalise's eyes widen. "Tell me more," she demands, her voice low and sultry.

I find her boldness nothing short of charming. "It's a tech company. Inflated valuations have propped them up, but their product is little more than vaporware. When the truth comes out, their shares will plummet. Those who bet against them will make a fortune."

"Sounds exhilarating," she says. Her luscious lips curve into a wicked grin. "I'm in."

“Great.” I draw her closer and kiss her. She tastes like coffee and cream and luxury. "We can discuss the details later…."

Annalise interrupts me by capturing my lips in a searing kiss. Her hands tangle in my hair. I suck in a breath. God, I can’t get enough of her. She’s driving me out of my mind.

She pulls me closer as she straddles my lap. The feel of her body pressed against mine sends a shiver down my spine, erasing any lingering doubts about giving her advice.

Twenty-One

Annalise

Beautiful people in tuxes and ballgowns press in on me from all sides. I smile and examine their faces, hoping Nate will be among them. But my gaze slides off the laughing women and jovial men.

He isn’t anywhere to be seen.

The Take Back the Night Gala glitters around me as I circulate through the well-dressed crowd. I make sure to nod and smile at the right people. Inside, though, my mind races.

It’s been three days since I laid eyes on Nate Fordham and I’m dying to know just where he is.

I snag a flute of champagne from a passing server and sip the bubbly beverage. What to do now?

I should turn my attention to my flagging company. It’s no secret that Gellar Industries has been slipping these past few years. Our stock price is slowly sinking. But I refuse to let it continue. I'll do whatever it takes to right this ship and steer us back to success.

I desperately need to pay back the money my father stole before Nate finds out about it. He could take the merger over even the allegation of financial infidelities.

I work my way into social circles with venture capitalists, talking about how bright the future of our company is. “We’re confident that we will perfect the ground-penetrating sonar. We plan to use it to find the next big shale oil deposit within a matter of months,” I say.

Is that true? That remains to be seen. But the venture capitalists and CEOs that I schmooze seem impressed.

A familiar red-headed firecracker catches my eye as I talk to a new clique of silver-haired, Hugo Boss-wearing CEO types. To my shock, Lori Parker marches toward me. Even more bizarrely, she has Gellar Industries Chief Financial Officer Lance White in tow. Lance looks awkward in his tuxedo, running a finger under his bowtie. He’s tall and storklike and his quiet demeanor makes him a dead fish at events like this.

It’s strange to see them here. I thought I only authorized a single company ticket for appearances. But they each take one of my arms, tugging me firmly toward the deserted balcony.

“My apologies!” I call to the CEO I was just talking to.

"We need to talk. Now," Lori hisses under her breath. Lance's face is grim.

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