The Game

Anything else.

Why did he have to look at me like this? As though we weren’t over.

“Please excuse me,” I said. “There’s a Doug Aitken piece I’m dying to see.”

I felt rude for leaving Gabe with them, but I needed to put distance between us. Tobias’s glare was burning my back as I walked into the next room. Avoidance was probably the best way to get through tonight.

I willed myself to concentrate on the gold plaque before me. The word now had been enlarged to a three-dimensional wall model and was filled with a collage of images.

The last place I wanted to be was in the now.

“Zara.” Tobias’s voice exuded a deadly seduction.

A jolt of uncertainty trailed up my spine.

He stood a few feet away. “You look beautiful. I love that dress on you. I’m glad you wore it tonight.”

I wanted to believe his words were a peace offering but the way his fierce gaze held mine reminded me of our goodbye outside The Wilder. He had that same look now in those green eyes.

I turned to go. “I have to find Gabe.”

He reached out and held my wrist. “Dance with me.”

He was torturing me with physical contact; his firm touch reminding me what I’d lost, his sensual grip dangerously persuasive.

“I can’t.”

He arched a brow. “You moved on fast.”

“Gabe’s a friend.”

“I was worried I’d have to challenge him to a duel.” He grinned devilishly. “Have you any idea how stunning you look?”

Evidently he knew how gorgeous he looked too, because he was using his magnetism to manipulate me into spending more time with him.

“Boundaries,” I said firmly. “What does that word mean to you?”

“In what respect?”

“You broke into my hotel room and stole my suitcase.”

He came closer. “I believe it was the concierge.”

“Under your orders.”

And he’d tracked down Gabe at UCLA. Seriously, did he expect me to forget that?

“Zara, dance with me.”

“How did you know I’d be here?”

“I could say the same.”

“The artist is one of Gabe’s students.”

Tobias gave a mischievous smirk. “Don’t force me to dance with Professor Anderson.”

“I’m sure you’ll find someone who’ll fall for your charm.”

“Yesterday, I should have explained myself better.”

I placed my hands on my hips and waited for him to finish his thought.

His frown deepened. “One dance. Or...”

“Or what?”

“Don’t tempt me with refusing, Leighton.” He arched an amused brow. “Or there will be consequences.”

“In what way?”

“I’m still a client of Huntly Pierre. Do it for them. You can always think of England.” He winked.

I relented with a nod and when his hand rested on the lower curve of my spine, I resisted the desire to close my eyes and lean into him as though there was no tension between us. Tobias guided me into a cocktail lounge and led me toward the small crowd slow dancing to Nina Simone, her sultry tones setting the scene for romance.

He pulled me into a hug. “It’s good to see you.”

I let Tobias take the lead as I rested my right hand on his shoulder, my left sliding against his right palm, his fingers closing around mine. The way his body crushed against me felt deceptively good and caused my body to tingle deliciously. My nipples further betrayed me by hardening in response to his provocative cologne.

“I think this might be my all-time favorite gallery,” I said.

“What about The Wilder?”

“What about it?”

“I suppose I deserve that.”

I dragged my teeth over my bottom lip to tease him and there came a rush of exhilaration when his pupils dilated with arousal revealing I was having the same effect on him. He waltzed me around and we fit together annoyingly well.

Why couldn’t this be us? Two lovers enjoying a romantic evening without the looming inevitability of this ending badly.

“Zara, you’re intoxicating.” He gave a heart-stopping grin.

“Don’t!” I wasn’t falling for his flattery.

He spun me around and my feet became light as he whisked me along with a smooth glide. He yanked me against his firm chest and then stilled, his mouth lingering perilously close to mine. Our eyes locked on each other as the world fell away. Those specks of gold in his green irises were hypnotic.

His grip tightened. “How’s the Sofitel?”