Page 120 of Rules Of Our Own

He laughs. “She’s going to ditch you, then come running back to me. You’ll see.”

Clenching my fist in his collar, I give him a hard shake so I know he’s giving me his full attention. “She. Will. Never. Take. You. Back.”

“Everyone is going to think you’re a fucking fool,” he sneers.

“It’s funny how you think people’s opinions mean anything to me when it comes to her.”

CHAPTER56

ALEX

River’s disappeared,leaving me to do whatever the hell I want. At least for now. I don’t even bother trying to stay away from Mia, slipping through the crowd and closing the remaining distance between us. She looks at me with wide green eyes but doesn’t shift away, instead introducing me to the woman she’s standing with.

“I’m sure you know Alex Grayson, star forward for the Boston Bruins. He’s been a huge help supporting the Prosthetics For Kids charity.”

“Yes, I’ve seen you in the videos. Excellently done and such a large donation.” The woman across from her smiles at me. She looks to be in her late fifties or early sixties, and she’s rocking it. Silver hair pulled back in a sleek style, black dress that doesn’t cling to her but looks perfectly together. She’s a silver fox if I’ve ever seen one.

“Alex, let me introduce Julia Garner, the CEO of Casper Developments.” Mia bites her bottom lip, but I can still make out the hint of a smile she’s trying to hide from catching me checking the matron out.

Fuck me, I’m standing in front of a real-life billionaire.

I plaster on my most endearing smile. “You know how it is. I believe in this charity, so I have to put my money where my mouth is. I’ve been extremely fortunate, and it’s really the least I can do.” I purposely focus the conversation around myself so she doesn’t feel like I’m calling her out, but she also hears the message I’m laying down.

“Unfortunately, I’m not sure I can pull off the whole soaked look,” Julia says.

Time to throw on the charm. “I wouldn’t say that. I think you’d look good soaking wet.”

The woman’s cheeks flame red, but I can tell she liked receiving the compliment.

She arches a perfectly shaped brow. “You know, most men wouldn’t say that to me.”

I shrug. “Most men are idiots.”

She laughs. “Okay. Challenge me.” She says it to Mia, who’s now grinning.

“I challenge Julia Garner to the Center-Ice Challenge.”

“I accept and pledge five hundred thousand.” She tosses Mia a playful wink. “Can’t let these young boys show me up.”

I swallow hard. Holy fucking shit.

“Uh…thank you…oh my God.” Mia stutters out her gratitude.

The woman waves her off with a conspiratorial smile. “I’m going to go see who else I can rope into this. I bet I can get a few of these old men to play along.” There’s a gleam in her eyes, and I don’t doubt her for a second.

Mia and I are as alone in a room full of people as we can be, and her face is lit up. “Five. Hundred. Thousand.” She practically levitates off the ground with her excitement.

“That’s only the beginning, Kitten. Hell, I’d be surprised if she doesn’t collect a few million tonight on her own.”

Mia looks stunning, painted in gold, pale blonde hair tumbling from where she’s pinned it up. It’s making her look ethereal and putting every other woman here to shame.

Fuck, I want to kiss her.

I blow out a breath and give her a lopsided smile. “You look beautiful.”

Her gaze travels from my patent leather shoes up my suit-clad thighs, and pauses on the tie I chose.

Her cheeks grow an adorable shade of pink. “You should talk. You look good in that suit, Alex.”

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