Page 14 of Reckless Games

“No.”

It’s a lie so big it might as well fill the room.

“Your heartbeat says otherwise.” He presses his fingers firmly on my pulse, reading me so well for someone who doesn’t know me at all. “Come with me.”

A command.

An order.

He doesn’t give me a chance to deny him before standing up and grabbing onto my chair, helping me scoot it out before offering me his hand.

It’s borderline gentlemanly if I didn’t know what this devilish man is capable of.

I accept, and he pulls me to stand in front of him. With daylight casting a bright glow into the room, Adam almost appears approachable. His hair is a lighter shade of brown with coppery streaks, and the scruff on his jaw is more pronounced.

But his stoic expression and clothes give him away.

Adam is wearing dress slacks and a button-up shirt even though it’s barely seven in the morning. I can’t help but wonder if he’s dressed down a day in his life, or if it's that important for him to always maintain appearances. And even if the top two buttons are popped and his sleeves are rolled up to reveal his thick forearms, everything about him exudes the power he refuses to hand over in any situation.

Adam guides us along the edge of the room, sticking to the side with fewer people. And I can’t help but think about what Stella said. Why host these events if you’re only going to participate in secret?

When he reaches a doorway tucked beside the same one the staff has been using, he swipes his card and pulls it open. Stepping aside, he holds it for me, waiting until I’m through before shutting it behind us.

We’re in another hallway, unsurprisingly. Midnight Manor is a maze built to get lost in. This particular hallway must connect with the kitchen because there are carts filled with fresh trays of fruit, waiting to refill the buffet when needed.

But right now, there’s no staff in sight. It’s just me and Adam.

“Talk to me.” He steps back, crossing his arms across his chest.

While he always seems completely relaxed and in control, I feel the opposite standing in front of him. Shifting from foot to foot, rubbing my arms with my hands.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I shrug, rubbing my arms once more.

He narrows his gaze and his eyes skim from where I’m biting my lower lip to my chest. His full focus is on my nipples, and I can’t help that the hallway is just cool enough, and his attention makes me just excited enough that they’re hard at the sight of him.

“I could have brought you breakfast.” His jaw clenches as his gaze slides back to mine and he takes a step forward.

“I didn’t need you to.” I shrug again, more nervous with every step he closes the distance. “Besides you weren’t there, so how would I have asked you to?”

“I had to step away and take care of some business. But my staff could have come to get me.”

“Your staff?” I almost laugh because I can’t tell if he’s actually being serious suggesting I would have asked his staff to summon him.

“That’s what they’re here for.” He steps closer.

I cross my arms over my chest. “Right. Available twenty-four seven.”

“Exactly.” He ignores the sarcasm dripping from my tone. “You’re upset I left you.”

“No, I’m not.” It would be ridiculous. Obsessive. Absurd. I just met him, and I’m still getting over Josh. Adam can come and go as he pleases.

“You are.” He brushes the back of his hand over my jaw, reading me. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Business, right?” I narrow my eyes and try my best to seem unaffected, even if I feel myself failing miserably. “What kind of work do you do anyway?”

My question shifts Adam’s expression, and he drops his hand. “We don’t need to talk about me.”

Interesting.

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