Page 62 of Fifth Avenue Devil

The tension from last night hasn't left my body. I still feel jumpy, on edge. Something about this woman has changed me. She’s awakened feelings I didn't know I possessed.

Annalise is mine. And I’m going to show her off today, albeit not in the way that she deserves. I’m just taking her to a tournament, not to Bryant Park. It’s a shame with how she looks right now.

“Nate?” she prompts. “Are you okay?”

My mouth twitches. It’s funny that she would ask me that. Am I okay? I really don’t know anymore. "Of course," I reply. “You just look ravishing. Especially for someone who threw up this morning.”

Okay, so maybe I am still irked that she got so fucking intoxicated the night before. As if reading my thoughts, she smiles sweetly and teases me. "Sorry I was such a mess last night. You must think I'm quite the party animal."

"Hardly," I scoff, my tone betraying my annoyance. “You do look good though. Really good.”

I walk over to Annalise. She turns her face up to me, expecting a kiss. I grab her, pull her against my body, and growl as I kiss her neck. She giggles. “You’re such a beast, Nate.”

“Yeah? You’ll find out what a beast I am when we get home. I’m going to fucking ruin that pussy, Kitten.”

She arches an eyebrow, affecting surprise. “More than you did last night?”

“Way fucking more.” I set her down and slap her ass. “Now let’s go.”

We make our way down to my sleek black sports car. I can't help but glance at her petite frame and her golden curls that bounce as she walks. In the Valentino dress, she looks like a damn supermodel. Maybe a little short, but she’s got the charisma needed. A feeling of possessiveness claws at my chest. I’ve experienced that before with Annalise. But today the feeling is all I can think about.

She ismine.

The sensation is as unsettling as it is thrilling.

We drive up to the tournament, which is happening just on the other side of the Lincoln Tunnel at a trendy bistro on the water. When we get out, I toss the car keys to a valet. But I’m not really paying any attention. If the car were to be stolen and the cops asked me who the valet was, I’d be at a complete loss.

Today, I can hardly focus on anything but Annalise.

Her presence is both intoxicating and infuriating. She makes it impossible for me to concentrate, even on just the act of walking. We walk down the pier to where the bistro has set up an outdoor casino. But every little thing distracts me. My mind is filled with images of her nude form wrapped around mine.

"Earth to Nate," Annalise says, waving a delicate hand in my face. I blink, realizing that I've been lost in my thoughts again. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," I say. “I just didn’t sleep much last night.”

Annalise is mine. But I don’t want to say it out loud in a public space. That makes it seem too real.

She slips her hand into mine and wrinkles her nose. “Sorry. I’ll have to make it up to you later.” She gives me an innocuous glance, belying her words. I can’t do anything but smirk.

What is it about this woman that is making me question everything I thought I knew about myself? I’m rethinking my concept of desire. It's a dangerous game we're playing. I'm not sure I'm ready for whatever the consequences will be.

We enter an area with several tables specifically designed for high-stakes poker games. Plush velvet chairs surround the polished mahogany tables. Poker games like this are where deals are made and empires built.

Or, in Annalise’s case, they’re destroyed.

We grab a drink from the outside bar as I try to scope out the competition. Better to focus on that than my feelings for Annalise.

I ask for a rum old-fashioned, but when the bartender asks her for her order, my date wrinkles her nose. “Just a sparkling water for me. After last night, I don’t think I’ll be interested in drinking for quite a while.”

I smile. With our drinks in hand, we stroll around, checking out the set-up of tables.

"Playing poker and negotiating deals share the same core principles," I explain to her. "You need to be able to read people, bluff when necessary, and most importantly… know when to fold."

My brothers, Cash, James, and Grant enter the room as if on cue. All their eyes immediately go to Annalise. Like wolves stalking their prey, they close in on her, each vying to win her attention.

“Annalise! It’s so nice to see you again.” Cash immediately starts trying to separate her from me. He’s using the old introduction trick, where you shake both the woman’s hands and then pull her away from the man she’s with.

“Stop, Cash,” I intone. I put my arm around Annalise, feeling like she’s some precious gemstone, then introduce the other two. "Annalise, these are my brothers. You already know Cash. This is James, and the other one is Grant," I say, trying to maintain a semblance of control over the situation.

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