Page 54 of Don't Game Me
The girl flipped to the article. “Listen to this:Part Chris Evans and part James Dean, Jake Allen seems set on revolutionizing the gaming industry while dressed like James Bond on a mission.There’s usually a Bond girl on the elbow of this digital maverick, with no indication his bachelor days will end soon.”
“I think that’s overstating it a little bit,” Tori interrupted. “He seems so different at the office. So serious. I’ve heard he’s taken a lot of girls home over the years, but, knowing him now it’s hard to imagine he’s one of those player guys.”
Emma said, “Jake likes to think he’s a player. Deep down, he’s not. He’s commitment phobic, which is different. The man wouldn’t know he had something great with a woman if it bit him in the ass. He’ll never realize it until he loses her forever.”
Becca frowned at Tori, who only grinned back.
“I didn’t know you were philosophical, Em. Especially not about your boss.” Tori smiled. “Do you have a crush on him?”
Emma’s eyes went wide. “Hell, no. I’d kick him in the nuts if he laid a single finger on me. He’s not my type.”
“Becca, you’re lucky you nailed him down,” said the bridesmaid with the magazine. “He’s so hot.” She rotated to show everyone the two-page spread of Jake. “I just want to tear off that shirt and get a look at the tattoos.” She fanned herself with the magazine.
“We’re not an item. Seriously. Definitely, not a thing,” Becca gritted out, even though her mind granted her a thorough visual replay of his sexy ink.
Tori picked at her nails and bit her lip against a smile. “I think my toes are finally dry. Time for hair.”
Thank you, Tori, for ending this conversation.
As they exited the nail room, Tori leaned close to Becca and whispered, “Thou doth protest too much.”
“Oh, shut up,” she whispered back. Her cheeks flamed hot.
16
Who the hell chose the bridesmaid dresses? Jake stared at Becca in a pale green dress with a neckline that dipped so low he could see the top of each breast. She usually wore her hair down, but it’d been professionally done up in a way to show off her auburn highlights. Sophisticated. The look was far more elegant than he’d ever seen her. Her heels added several inches to her height and accentuated the sleekness of her legs. He remembered kissing up those smooth legs. This wasn’t the Becca he knew. This wasn’t the Becca he’d stripped and kissed, devoured and burned with for hours last night. This was, however, a Becca he wanted to taste.
There’d be no repeat. Last night he’d lost his mind. It shouldn’t have happened.
The only thing he needed to do with regard to Becca was figure out what was going on in California.
Her gaze met his for an instant, widened, and bounced away. She helped fix a shoulder strap on one of the other bridesmaids.
He didn’t know who he wanted to curse more—himself for letting the night happen and fucking it up this morning, or Tori for choosing that as a bridesmaid’s dress. He wanted this woman in the flowy green number both with it on and then again after he’d ripped it off.
Noah nudged him. “You’re gaping at my sister’s chest.”
Jake yanked his gaze off Becca. “The dress…”
“Yeah. I know. I’m not sure who voted for a neckline that low.” Noah frowned.
“Is the wedding dress as provocative?”
“Don’t know. It’s been top secret. I sure hope so.” Noah grinned.
Jake smiled back. The guy really was over the moon nuts about his future wife. Jake was happy for him. Tori was pretty awesome.
“Gotta go. Dad’s calling.” Noah wandered off.
Jake didn’t even realize he was striding toward Becca, who now stood alone, until he smelled her distinctive perfume. Her eyes widened. Then narrowed to slits.
He bent his head and whispered, “You doing okay?”
Her eyes darted around as if seeking an excuse to ditch him. She faked a smile and waved to Michael. “We’re done, Jake. Go hit on one of my cousins to be your evening entertainment. Leave me alone.”
He caught her arm before she moved away and laced his fingers with hers. “We’re here as a date, as in together. I got the green light from Noah for us to do today as a date.”
“Oh, well, if Noah says it’s okay, then great.” She pulled her hand from his.
