Page 55 of Fake Game

“Yeah, but you’ve been swatted twice in the last two weeks.”

“Thanks for the reminder.”

“Francis isn’t trained to be a bodyguard.”

“And you are?” She uses one of her pointed nails to purposefully press the elevator call button.

“I work out.”

“And you have the body to show for it, but I don’t really care.” Her bright blue eyes trail down my bare arms appreciatively. The elevator chimes as the doors open. “Catch ya later, hot stuff.”

“Wait.” My body moves on its own, my arm shooting out to bar her from entering the elevator.

“Seriously, Shield? I can’t be late. There’s only a fifteen-minute grace period,” she huffs, stomping one of her feet.

“Just give me a second.”

“One,” she bites out before attempting to duck under my arm. I use the movement to snake said arm around her waist and spin her into me. Her body locks up at the contact briefly before she tries to push away.

“Deer.”

“What?”

“I said wait.” The bite of my words has her pausing, a flash of heat passing through them so quickly that I think maybe I saw wrong. “I’m putting on shoes and coming with you.”

Her lips purse and lids narrow for a beat before she tsks, her body going slack with submission. “Fine.”

I slowly release my grip on her, watching her for any sudden movements. Woman is like a caged rabbit.

I jog back to my room and throw on a pair of Jordans and a hoodie before shoving my wallet into my back pocket with a face mask. When I return, Deer is still there. Her obedience to my words turns over in my mind—a curiosity slowly stitching itself together and causing my dick to twitch.

As soon as I step foot into the elevator with her, she begins aggressively pressing the button for the private garage level.

“You know that doesn’t make it go any quicker.”

“If I miss this appointment because of you, I swear to the Gods.”

For someone who promised sunshine and rainbows, she tosses threats around like free condoms at a college health center.

The elevator rockets down the sixty floors, and Deer practically skips out the second the doors inch open.

“Francis,” she chirps with a smile. The spindly man stands by the back door, holding it open for us, and she gives him a giant hug. “Thank you for making time for me.”

What the fuck? She’s never greeted me with that much enthusiasm.

Francis gives her a brief pat on the head with his free hand. “Of course, miss. I have some peach sparkling water in the center console for you per your request.”

“You’re the best!” she gushes as she hops into the BMW.

I enter on the other side as Francis gets into the driver’s seat and starts the car up to begin the winding exit of the apartment complex.

The sound of Deer popping open her sparkling water cracks against the silence before a quiet fizz hisses out.

“You want some?” She tips the can toward me.

“No.”

“Then quit side-eying me.”

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