His eyes flickered in triumph. “King me,” Brian sung in his low baritone voice.
The sound sent chills down her spine. Sun from the penthouse's wall-length windows streamed into the living room highlighting the checkerboard. Marnie frowned as she placed the black checker on his piece. How was she losing for the fourth time? It was those damn eyes, staring at her, mesmerizing her—no, bewitching her. Yes, that was it.
The sound of his cellphone broke Marnie's concentration, but it was a welcome relief from his seductive stare. He held up a finger, motioning for her to give him a sec, while he took the call. Marnie smiled in approval and watched as his muscular arms pushed off the carpet with graceful ease. She stared at the ass that strained against his jeans as he walked away. How many times did he work out? Five, seven times a week?
“I don't recommend Noribund,” Brian said. “I think they're beefing their stocks, so Benco can buy them out. I've done a lot of research on them, which I can send to you next week. I'm on vacation right now.”
Marnie's eyes lit up. She found the perfect way to regain her checker title. She could take her king and double jump him. With his pieces out of the way she would finally be able to move her last piece out of the corner position it was stuck in.
“Listen, Noribund's stocks are going to be worthless once the Benco buyout happens.”
Brian walked back into the room wearing an earpiece. He lay back down on the carpet and motioned Marnie to take her turn.
Marnie smiled. She was eager to see his expression once he realized he lost. Picking up her king, she jumped the first checker. Glancing at his face, she waited for him to recognize what was happening. His face remained serious as he continued the phone conversation.
“I will be back sometime next week, but until then Aleed can help you.”
Oh well. Once he got off the phone he'd realize he'd lost. She jumped his second piece and sat back on her heels. His eyes scanned the playing field.
That's right, there's nothing left, you're all alone now. My king and checker piece against your lonely little king. Once it's my turn again, you'll king me, king me! Ha, ha.
In one swift move, Brian jumped the two spaces separating her king from his.
Damn! How could she not have seen that diagonal jump? His king stood directly beside her last piece, waiting for her to march it out and let his king end its life.
Brian looked up at her expectantly. Your move, his eyes seemed to say.
Marnie slid the piece out onto the red square and watched his king jump her. Five time loser, nothing new there. She sighed and tried not to show her disappointment. Patting him on the head, she proceeded to put the game away.
When she rejoined him in the living room, Brian was off the phone.
“Good game.” He patted the floor next to him.
Marnie ignored the gesture and took a seat on the sofa. After getting her ass kicked five times in a row, she wasn't about to sit and get chummy with him. Her stomach did a somersault when he sat next to her on the sofa.
Go back on the floor. She didn't want to smell his cologne and daydream about snuggling in his arms. That's just what she would do if he sat next to her. She scooted away from him. You don't like prostitutes, remember? But if he had given her the chance, she could've changed his mind. She looked at him wistfully.
That smile made her heart flutter. She directed her attention to the carpet. Damn Danny and his meetings. Things had pretty much slowed to a crawl as he devoted all his time to recovery. Marnie had gotten into a routine of answering press calls and sending out e‐mails. But it was boring! It pretty much left her afternoons empty… and alone… with Brian.
“Marnie.” Brian ran his hand down the side of her arm.
“Hmm?” She focused on the white carpet. Soft hands! He is not playing fair. Why couldn't he just leave me alone?
“How long are you going to stay mad at me?”
Marnie jerked her head up to look into his eyes. They were so pretty, and his intense stare made him even more handsome. It felt like he was trying to see through her.
“These last few days we've played a lot of Monopoly, Jenga, UNO, and Checkers.” A smile crept to the corners of his lips. “We've played a lot of games and done very little talking. Now, if you want to play another one. I suggest we play strip poker.”
Marnie frowned in disgust and slapped his hand away from her arm.
“Why, because it's the only one I won't lose?”
She jumped up, anger boiling inside of her. He was just awful, and the terrible part about it was all those good looks were a camouflage for the ugliness that lay within him.
She needed fresh air to cool her down. Marnie walked over to the sliding glass door. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of being titillated by her anger. Brian's hand on the handle prevented her from opening it. She backed away from him until her back was pressed against the wall. He placed a hand above her head, leaning forward.
“Marnie, that's the one I'd let you win.”
She looked away from his grin, her jaw clenched tight. Her fist balled, adrenaline coursing through her veins.
He pulled on her chin, forcing her to face him.
“What can I do to make you forgive me?”
“You can start with an apology,” she stammered.
A tear slid down her face as she clenched her jaw even tighter. Damn! She didn't want him to see her cry.
He leaned forward and she smelled his cologne. Sensual spices and pine needles.
“I'm sorry,” he whispered into her ear. His lips ever so softly brushed her earlobe and the bands of her inner ear. “Please don't cry.”
He slowly brought his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. His touch was soft. She yearned for him to pull her tighter, but she didn't reciprocate the hug. She simply stood there.
He pulled back and looked into her eyes. They moved furtively across her face, searching for something, but what?
“We're back!” Danny said.
Panic leaped into her throat. She didn't want Danny to catch her like this. She patted Brian on the chest, pushing him away to return to the sofa.
“Hey, guys.”
Marnie smiled as Danny entered the room with Mickey. She could hear Jackson moving around in the kitchen. She handed Danny his letters and messages of the day, then took Mickey off his hands.
“You came back just in time.”
Mickey lay on his back, paws sticking in the air. Marnie reached over and complied with his request to scratch his tummy.
“You haven't forgotten about the gala, have you?” she asked.
He had been RSVP'd for months. The gala was a fundraising dinner where the most eligible bachelors would be auctioned off for charity. Marnie wished she could go. She'd love to watch Danny become cougar feed. Being auctioned off to someone thrice his age would be hilarious. Perhaps his dick would finally take a break.
If she hadn't felt so sorry for Lem, she would have burst out laughing. Danny was a grade A dog, and Jessica trying to insinuate that she and Danny hook up when instead she hooked up, was hilarious. It was downright dirty though that Lem called Jessica a prostitute. Jessica was a ho, but at least Marnie used to get paid for what she did. Jessica just got fucked over.
“I didn't forget.” His voice brought Marnie back to the present. “I just failed to recall it was today.”
He leaned against the wall and sighed. “You guys want to come with me?” He looked at each one of them pleadingly.
Marnie glanced at Brian, startled to find those hazel eyes staring back at her. His message was clear—it was up to Marnie to choose. They could stay and explore a new level of their relationship, or chaperone Danny. Spending the night with Brian was tempting. Marnie was sure they'd sleep together. The thought of him kissing her made her bite her lip. Another sensation entered her body. However, this one made her sick, and twisted her stomach. The thought of him entering her while she was sober made her want to jump over the terrace balcony. She just couldn't do it.
“Sounds like fun. I'll go,” Marnie said to Danny. “Can we eat before the event? I'm starving, and I don't want to end up eating all the hors d'oeuvres.”
“Absolutely. Can't have you embarrassing me, now can we?” Danny winked.
“I guess it's settled.” Brian clapped his hands, which left a note of finality in the air.