Page 68 of Reckless Harmony

He shoved his half-eaten sandwich into the bag. “It was a bullshit excuse. I knew as much, if not more, about gaming as he did. My ideas were solid, and he knew it, but he couldn’t stand the idea that someone other than him might help the company make a profit. It took me two years to accept that he would never let me develop any of my games. But once I did, I left the company and started my own.”

“Holy shit.” She stared at him. “You started your own company when you were twenty-two?”

He nodded, and she studied him for a minute before saying, “And now you’re a multimillionaire.”

“And now I’m a multimillionaire,” he echoed.

They sat in silence, the only sound the low hum of the heater and the muted laughter of a group of teens walking behind the SUV.

“How pissed was your dad when your company developed the most popular video game of all time?” Rayna asked.

“Do you game?” he asked in surprise.

“Not at all, but Emma is my best friend, and she’s obsessed with your Shadow games and gaming in general. I know a weirdly large amount of information about your company because of Emma.”

He grinned, and, holy fuck, there went her hoo-haw, soaking her panties and generally acting like she hadn’t seen a dick in years. Why did he have to be so damn hot when he smiled?

She ignored her sudden urge to climb onto Stark’s lap and grind her way into an orgasm, dragging her attention back to Stark’s words instead of imagining how his lips might feel sucking on her clit. For the first time since she’d met him, there was no tension between them, and she didn’t want to do anything to ruin the easy intimacy developing between them. Even if her brain knew it was a mistake to trust Stark.

“So, was he pissed?” she asked.

“He was annoyed,” Stark said, that grin widening just a little. “Enough that he’s basically ignored me for the last eight years.”

“What a dick,” she said.

He shrugged, drinking some of his soda before picking at the edge of the straw. “Honestly, I’m happier not having him in my life. Besides, he might not talk to me, but he has no problems sending Jasper to do his bidding whenever he wants or needs something from me.”

“He’s close with Jasper?” she asked.

“Jasper works at his company. He started working at the company the same year I did.”

“Is your father nice to him?”

Stark shook his head. “My father isn’t nice to anyone, Ms. Abrams. He uses people until they are no longer useful to them, and then he discards them. Jasper happens to have remained useful to him for longer than most.”

“It’s weird to picture Jasper working for your dad. He’s so friendly and easygoing and funny. Those don’t seem like qualities your father would appreciate.”

“Jasper isn’t who you think he is,” Stark said. “You shouldn’t have invited him to the fundraiser.”

She frowned. “Inviting him to the fundraiser got the rescue three thousand dollars. I’m damn happy I invited him.”

“You may think differently after your date on Friday,” Stark said.

“Why?” she asked.

“You and Jasper are very different,” Stark said.

“Right. Because he’s a rich businessman, and I’m just a plumber,” she said, trying and failing to hide her immediate annoyance. “This might come as a shock to you, Stark, but some guys don’t need a rich lawyer girlfriend who looks like a model with perfect hair and makeup.”

He frowned at her. “I didn’t say any of that. Don’t put words in my mouth, Ms. Abrams.”

“You’re thinking it,” she said.

“I can assure you that I am not,” he said icily.

The tension between them had returned, thick and unpleasant and making her stomach churn. Weirdly desperate to return to that easy intimacy, she gave him a teasing smile and said, “Do you know what I think? I think you’re jealous of your cousin because he’s going out with me on Friday night.”

“Hardly,” he snapped. “I have never been concerned with who my cousin dates. Besides, I have no interest in dating you, Ms. Abrams. You’re not my type.”

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