A Wicked Game (9 page)

Jack sat at the bar where he’d karaoked with Tori a few months ago. His cold beer sat in front of him. It was Wednesday night and the place wasn’t packed, which worked perfect for him because he wasn’t in the mood for loud crowds. Going home didn’t appeal to him, not when his own loneliness waited for him.

Everything changed for him the moment he’d set eyes on Tori again. He’d been too afraid to admit he was in love. Truth be told, he’d been most afraid of rejection.

He took a drink of his beer. Perhaps, if he hadn’t been a coward and run away instead of facing his reality at the time, her rejection wouldn’t hurt as much. Shit. He wasn’t even sure she would’ve rejected him anymore. Not after seeing the pain in her eyes the last time he saw her—almost two weeks ago. He’d called, emailed her, and texted her every day. No matter how hard and long he stared at his phone, willing it to buzz with a call or an incoming message, Tori wasn’t coming back.

Life without her in the picture was a bitch. Fuck, he couldn’t move on. He was stuck on Tori and she was nowhere to be found. Working all hours of the day every day did nothing to keep his mind busy; his thoughts always managed to wander to her. He hadn’t spent the night at his condo in LA since the last time he saw her. Memories of her pole dancing were still vivid in his mind. A shiver shot straight to his cock as he recalled the way he’d made love to her. All he had left were memories of something that would never be. How the fuck could he move on? He’d created his own misery.

“If you buy me a drink, I may have just the ticket to get you out of your horrible funk.”

Jack turned to face the woman taking the bar stool next to him. “Vivienne.” He stared at her. “Is this a coincidence or are you stalking me?”

Vivienne let out a soft laugh and gestured to the bartender. “Me? Stalking you?” She looked at him. “Trust me, I’ve better things to do than stalk you, Jack. I’ll admit it’s not a coincidence I’m here either.” She ordered her drink.

“You’re stalking me,” he said, grabbing his beer bottle. “How did you find me?”

“Let’s say I’m resourceful.” She shrugged.

“Did Brandy tell you I could be here?” He cocked his brow.

Vivienne smiled. “I don’t know who Brandy is.”

Jack took a long pull of his beer, making a mental note to have a little chat with his assistant. “What do you want?”

The bartender placed her drink on the bar, and she gestured for him to hand the check to Jack. “Do you care for Tori?” she asked.

“I don’t want to have this conversation with you.”

“Fine. It’s your loss, not mine.” Vivienne drank from her wine glass. “I guess I’ll be going to Milan after all. You know, those fashion shows are so exclusive, only VIPs and media get in. Whatever was I thinking, almost gifting my pass to you?”

Jack did a double take at her, placing his beer on the bar, trying to process what she’d just said.

She took another long sip from her wine. “Must be all those crazy hours I’ve been working. Thanks for the drink, Jack.” She stood to leave.

Jack reached for her arm. “How did you get a hold of the media pass?”

Vivienne studied him, her lips curved into a smile. “I told you I’m very resourceful.” She extracted an envelope from her purse and held it in front of him. “I should punch you for breaking my friend’s heart,” she said, her expression serious.

He took hold of the envelope, but she tightened her grip. “I’ll make it up to her,” Jack said, snatching the envelope.

Vivienne held his gaze. “She deserves better than you, so don’t screw it up, because if you do, you’ll be sorry you did.” She spun around and left the bar.

Jack opened the envelope, fixing his eyes on the media pass concealed in it. Screwing up a second time wasn’t an option. This was his one chance to right his wrong.

Seeing first-hand the trends for the following year was one of the perks that came with her day job. The best part of it all was she got paid to do it. Tori stood in one of the large dressing rooms with two of her photographers and two of her magazine journalists, interviewing designers and models they’d set appointment times with.

No matter how busy she tried to keep, she still got distracted with thoughts of Jack. She’d heard from him all right, but she hadn’t lifted a finger to reply to any of his messages. She couldn’t forget how he’d hurt her, and her pride wouldn’t allow her to welcome him back. Not yet, maybe not ever. Tori wished he’d stop calling her, yet hoped he didn’t. She wouldn’t even try to explain that because she was utterly confused. Jack did that to her. Still, she didn’t regret not giving him a chance to explain why he hadn’t called. He deserved to be taught a lesson because she deserved a better man.

Tori ran her hands down the length of her dress and looked around the dressing room, wondering when Vivienne would be there. She’d managed to talk her boss into letting her use his VIP media pass, arguing it’d be a waste not to use it if he wasn’t going. Tori stopped in her tracks when Jack walked through the door, escorted by one of the staff.

She glanced at her own staff and walked in Jack’s direction. “You can’t be here,” she said.

Jack smiled, flashing his media pass. “This says otherwise.”

Tori narrowed her eyes at him. “How did you—”

“I think you know the answer to that.” He looked around them, then fixed his gaze on her last. “Tori, we need to talk.”

“I’m busy.” She turned to head back to her staff, but he grasped her arm and pulled her to him.

His lips brushed her ear. “I understand you’re busy. I’m not asking you to leave right now. All I’m asking is for you to give me a chance and meet me later tonight. Please say you will, Tori,” he whispered.

She fought the urge to close her eyes. A familiar pressure grew in her chest as his warmth seeped through the thin material of her dress, making her legs tremble.

“Oh my God, oh my God! This isn’t happening. This is
not
happening. Not happening.” A designer paced the room in hysterics, raking his hands through his hair. Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused their attention on him.

“What’s the matter?” a woman asked.

“I need a model. Pronto!” the designer exclaimed.

“Elisha,” the woman called.

“No. What’s wrong with you? It’s the summer men’s fashion show.”

The woman’s mouth opened, forming an O.

“Yes, oh. I need a man. A man model. Orlando is sick and I don’t have anyone to replace him.” He paced. “Oh, this is such a disaster.” He lifted his eyes, fixing his gaze behind Tori. “You.” He pointed his finger at Jack. “You are perfect.”

“Whoa. I’m here for her.” Jack wound his arm around Tori’s waist and pulled her in front of him like a shield.

Tori swallowed a laugh. “Antonio, I’m sure your designer friends will let you borrow one of their models,” she said.

“
Cariño
. Your naiveté becomes you. Don’t you see? This is rivalry at its best! They’ll be happy to see me fail and I won’t have it.”

“Talk to one of the other models. There’s got to be one who’d be willing to help you,” Jack said.

Antonio laughed. “
Querido
. You make it sound too easy. It’s not. They all have exclusive contracts. Not one would risk his neck to help me—you understand, no?” He approached Jack, grabbed his upper arm, and pulled him away from Tori, studying him from head to toe. “Yes, you’ll do.”

Jack put his hands up. “I don’t think you understand. I’m here for her.” He waved his hand in Tori’s direction.

Antonio pursed his lips and crossed his arms, tapping his foot on the floor. “Victoria, I will give you an exclusive to next year’s women’s collection if you get your Mister Gorgeous—” He pointed to Jack. “—to help me out here I know you know I don’t give exclusives. I don’t think I need to mention how an exclusive with me will boost your career, do I?”

Tori’s lips arched into a smile as she processed what Antonio offered her. He wasn’t talking about next year’s collection, because they were presenting it now. His offer was good for the year after next’s collection.
Oh, this is good!
Better than great.
She turned to Jack. “You want me to hear you out, right?” She lifted an eyebrow.

He stared at her. “You can’t be serious.”

“Dead serious.”

Jack straightened to his full height. “I’m not doing this.”

She cocked her head, letting out her breath. “Safe travels, Jack.” Tori turned and walked toward her staff, disregarding the curious gazes on her, Antonio, and Jack.

“I’m not a model,” Jack said.

Tori stopped and looked back at Jack. “That’s right. You know the way out.”

“Stop this nonsense. You’re a man and you can walk, right?” Antonio snapped his fingers at two of his assistants. “Get him ready,” he instructed.

A man and a woman grabbed Jack by his arms and led him to a booth. “Tori, I’m doing this for you.”

She glanced at Antonio then Jack. “Then you better do it right.”

* * * *

Jack stared at his reflection in the three-wall mirror. Who the fuck invented Speedos? It should be illegal for men to wear them if they weren’t professional swimmers. He was thankful for the long black robe that came with the outfit but hated that he’d have to wear it open. To make matters worse, he’d been forced to wear open-toe sandals with adjustable crisscross straps reaching past his ankle
. Fuck, I look ridiculous.

“You look fabulous,” Tori said behind him.

He pursed his lips and turned to her. “You better not let your photographer shoot a picture of me to put in your magazine or you’ll be sorry.”

She chuckled. “It hadn’t crossed my mind. Thanks for the idea.”

He closed the distance and grasped her by the waist. He fixed his eyes on hers, holding her gaze. “After this, you and I will talk.” He leaned forward to steal a kiss.

“You can kiss her all you want later.” Antonio drew him from Tori, his eyes inspecting every detail of Jack’s attire—or lack thereof. “Nice package,” he said, openly staring at Jack’s cock. “Good. Very good. Let’s go.” Antonio clapped, and one of his assistants led Jack to the line of the models waiting their turn to walk on stage.

“Good luck,” Tori called behind him.

“She’s staying at Le Meurice,” the assistant said. “I’ll find out her room number in case she skips on you.” She winked at him and spanked his ass before walking away.

“This better be worth it,” he murmured.

Tori exited the elevator on her floor and headed for her room. Her cheeks hurt from smiling all afternoon, and getting the image of Jack in that outfit out of her head would take years. Her photographers took a few shots of him—after all, it was part of their job and what they were there for.

She wouldn’t put him on the cover of the magazine, though one of his photos would fit quite nicely somewhere in their article highlighting the best moments of fashion week. He’d kill her for doing so. Heck, he’d think it was her ultimate payback—of course, revenge had nothing to do with it. Or maybe it did a little.

Tori laughed at the thought, lifting her eyes to the door of her room. She slowed down when she saw Jack leaning on the frame, hands in pockets.

“Somehow I knew you’d try to skip out on me,” he said.

She raised her chin, walking the rest of the steps to her door. “You thought right,” she said, opening her door. “Goodbye, Jack.”

He stepped in her room right behind her and closed the door.

“What are you doing?” She furrowed her brow.

“We have a conversation pending.” Jack closed the space between. “Do you have any idea what my life’s been like?” He stood inches from her.

“I don’t think I care.” She stepped back.

“It’s hell, Tori.”

“I fail to see why that’s my problem,” Tori said, folding her arms.

“I’m sorry. I’ll admit I was a jerk.”

A mix of anger and longing battled inside her, making her emotions race. “You’re an asshole. If you’re done with what you came to say, you can go now.” She gestured to the door.

Jack shrugged out of his jacket and placed it on a chair. He took the few steps separating him from her. “Hear me out, please.” He grabbed her hand and drew her to him. “I miss you,” he said, looking into her eyes. “I can’t sleep at night because you’re not there with me.” He touched his forehead to hers.

The heat of his body flooded hers. She bit the inside of her cheek, closing her eyes. “You said you’d call—you promised,” she whispered, hearing the loud thrum of her heart. She wouldn’t be surprised if he heard it too.

“I know I didn’t keep my promise, and I’m sorry.” The tip of his nose stroked hers, their breaths mingling. “I was afraid of how right it felt having you by my side.” The heat of his lips kissed hers without their lips touching.

Tori inhaled deeply, regretting she had a second later as his scent invaded her nostrils. She longed to touch him, to have him make love to her. “You hurt me.”

“I know I did. I’ll make it up to you if you give me another chance.” Jack slid his arm around her waist, pressing her body against his. “Please, Tori.” He brought his other hand to her neck and his thumb stroked below her earlobe. “It’s hell going home knowing you’re not there.”

She closed her eyes, letting her body drown little by little in the heat of his caresses. “I wasn’t there before,” she whispered.

“No, you weren’t, but I need you there now.” He twined his fingers in her hair, tugging her head back, forcing her to open her eyes and look at him. “It was a wicked game we played, and you won.” He paused. “I fell for you, Victoria.”

Tori parted her lips to speak, but he covered her mouth with his. All thoughts left her the moment his hot tongue bumped into hers. She dragged her hands up his arms and clung to him, intensifying the kiss, asking for more, making up for all the times they hadn’t kissed in the past three months.

He stroked her back and unzipped her dress. Tori yanked his shirt out of his pants to unbutton it. She moaned in protest when he took a step back, breaking the kiss, helping her out of her dress. His scorching gaze searched her from head to toe as she got rid of her bra and shimmied out of her thong.

He finished stripping off the rest of his clothes and reached for her. His lips captured hers and he lifted her off her feet, carrying her to the bed the way he always did. “I’ve missed you,” Jack whispered against her lips, settling between her legs.

Tori arched her body, craving the contact with his, and fire shot through her when his hot cock touched her wet pussy. “I’ve missed you too,” she said, locking her legs behind him.

He obliged, thrusting into her in one full plunge. “I’m never letting you go.” He swept his lips over hers, taking his time thrusting into her. “I love you, Victoria.” Jack stopped moving and stared at her.

Tori drew in her breath, processing his words. “I-I—”

Jack thrust his hips and a moan escaped her lips. “I may not be the man you deserve, but I promise to be the best husband there is. Marry me.” He closed his mouth on her upper lip, sucking it gently into his mouth.

“I love you too,” she said.

He plunged into her. “Is that a yes?” he whispered against her lips. Jack quickened his pace, moving his hand between them, reaching for her sex, his fingers massaging her clit. Her muscles tightened around his shaft, her body trembling alongside his. Jack thrust into her twice more until his own orgasm rode through him.

“Y-yes.”