Page 43 of Reckless Games

My mind is a captive as he tugs my body to his. One hand rests gently on the small of my back, while his other is laced through mine. His eyes never leaving me, no matter how beautiful, rich, or famous the women around us are.

I swallow hard as he leans in, his lips tickling the shell of my ear before he plants a gentle kiss on my temple. Sweetness he balances with control. Adam is the center of the room, and I can’t get enough.

“You were watching me,” he whispers. “I spotted you ten minutes ago.”

I almost tell him it's because the sight of him froze me in place, but instead, I smirk when he pulls back. “It’s only fair, seeing as you were watching me first.”

The hint of his smile is beautiful. Contrasting with the wickedness in his gaze.

“I make no apologies. You’re a sight to behold.”

I nod, taking a deep breath. His fingers skate my spine, and I appreciate he was patient in his approach.

“I need some answers, Adam,” I say, finally. As much as my body begs me to just forgive him, we need to have this conversation.

“I thought you might.”

“Did you invite me here just to fuck me? You said you thought you could work me out of your system.”

“That was poor phrasing.” Adam’s eyebrows pinch as he looks down at me. “I invited you here to understand why I couldn’t take my mind off you.”

I narrow my eyes.

“Fucking you is a bonus.” He smirks, reading the disbelief on my face. “Not the purpose. You have to understand, not many things fascinate me.”

“But I did?”

“Youdo.” He presses his hand to my back and squeezes me to him.

“Is that why you host these parties?” My eyes dart around the room, and I can’t help but notice the crowd of beautiful women.

I’m not the only person here because of his invitation. And while he’s chosen me for this particular week, he doesn’t seem like the kind of man who gets lonely often.

“Do you use these events to curb your curiosities?”

Adam releases my back, lifting his hand to my face. “I only have one curiosity, Lake.”

“But you’ve been hosting these for years.”

“Yes.” He nods. “And I don’t participate.”

A knot forms in my throat. Hope, intrigue, and nerves all clotted together.

“Never?” The word is almost a whisper, so quiet I’m not sure how he hears it.

But he leans in close and cups my jaw in his hand. “Never.”

He could be lying. These weeks are designed to tap into every dark fantasy, and to resist would take a strong will. But something about his tone, his eyes; I believe him.

“But this week you have?”

“For you, yes. Even if I shouldn’t.”

“Why shouldn’t you?”

“These events are business for me, baby girl.” Adam drops his voice so no one can hear us. “They serve a purpose that has nothing to do with sex, regardless of how they seem.”

My stare moves around the room. Some people I recognize, others I don’t. Politicians, business moguls. Everyone here has an excess of money and power. And with what I’ve seen some of them do, I’m sure they wouldn’t want anyone on the outside finding out about it.

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