The Game

“I’ll get a taxi,” I piped up.

“No cab will accept you like this,” said Gabe.

“It’s settled, then,” said Tobias. “I’m taking you.” He reached out and grabbed my purse from Gabe. “We’ll go out the back to avoid the press.”

“Press?” It came out as a screech.

“They’re out front ready to get their money shot.” Tobias waggled his eyebrows. “Looks like you’re it.”

Gabe gave me a reassuring smile. “Zara, come to Brentwood and have lunch with me tomorrow. I have the afternoon off.”

“I’d love that,” I said.

He stepped forward and kissed my cheek. “Call me. Let me know you’re okay.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m so sorry. Please stay and enjoy the evening.”

Gabe lit up with an impressed smile. “We so appreciate this, Mr. Wilder.”

My glare chastised him for being so enamored.

That’s Wilder’s superpower, I silently warned Gabe, he sweeps you up and saves the day and then you go and fall for him.

All very inconvenient.

When we stepped out the back of the gallery I was at least reassured by the warm climate. One phone call on the way and Tobias had his posh-looking silver Ferrari waiting for us. He tipped the young valet, who was polite enough not to look my way before he hurried off.

“What about your seat?” I peered into his beautiful car.

“It’ll be fine.”

“But you have leather seats?”

“And?”

“They’ll be ruined.”

His grin widened.

I fisted my hands and rested them on my hips. “You told Gabe—”

A flash went off.

“Get in!” Tobias snapped. “You drive.”

Blinking through the fading glare of a flashbulb, I watched a young man on a skateboard zooming away along the pavement. Tobias leaped over the car door into the passenger seat. Dread spiked my veins as I scurried around to the driver’s side and pulled open the door, threw his jacket down to protect the seat and flung myself in.

“Drive,” said Tobias. “We can catch him.”

Staring at the control panel I panicked when I realized this was an automatic. “I’ve only driven an automatic once.”

“Please hurry. He’s getting away.”

“I don’t know how.”

“For God’s sake, Zara. Grow a pair.”

“You grow a pair.”

He looked back at me, amused. “You’ve already had the pleasure of being acquainted with my—”

“Tobias!”

“Okay, then, Jade, you drive.”

“What!”

“Seat belt. Now.”

The engine roared to life and I tried to remember to breathe, grappling with my seat belt as the car pulled away from the curb and accelerated along the road.

“What the fuck is going on?” I slammed my hand to my mouth.

Tobias jumped up into a crouching position on his seat and then brought his right foot onto the window ledge as though surfing as he leaned out.

“Careful.” I gripped the wheel and then let go when it turned freely.

“Thirty miles an hour, Jade,” Tobias snapped. “Make that forty.”

Our Ferrari aligned with the skateboarder zipping along and the man gawked when he saw us. Tobias reached out and snatched the camera from him and then flung himself back into his seat. As we sped along he turned the camera screen for me to see.

I stared horrified at the shot of me looking completely naked beneath my wet dress as though I wasn’t wearing any underwear. Tobias removed the memory card and tucked it into his pocket.

“Jade,” he ordered. “Park.”

The Ferrari slowed and then parked curbside. Tobias flung open his door and climbed out. He leaned against the car and waited for the skateboarder to catch up. He threw his camera back to him.

The man looked shaken. “I’ll report this,” he snarled. “This is harassment.”

Tobias gave a confident smile. “Without evidence?” He gestured for me to switch seats and then came around to the driver’s side. “Tell your boss ‘Hi’ from me.”

“Fuck you.”

“Have a great evening.” Tobias snapped a salute.

After sliding over to the passenger seat, and pulling his jacket back over me, I felt grateful to see the man skate off without my naked image on his camera.

Tobias watched him scoot off down the sidewalk. “He’s paparazzi.”

“Thank you.” I reached out to squeeze Tobias’s arm.

Once that photo was unleashed on the internet there’d be no turning back. That was the second time he’d saved me tonight. And of course, if anyone had a self-steering car it would be Wilder.

He stared dead ahead with his face scrunched in discomfort.

I’d left a wet seat. “I’m sorry.”

He pulled the car away from the curb. “You have enough time.”

“For what?”

“To come up with an elaborate plan on how you’re going to make it up to me.” He grinned at his cheekiness. “Let’s go home.”

A flutter of excitement swirled around my stomach at the thought he was taking me to his house.

“Warm enough?” He fiddled with the dial to blow heat over me.

Get a grip, Zara, I warned myself, remember the mission. Tonight, I could have access to the kind of evidence that could stop Icon.

I had what it took to save this man.

5

We arrived at Tobias’s Malibu home within the hour.

He led me around the side of the impressive house and into the garden. The scenery exuded peacefulness, from the lavish lawn to those towering palm trees and the sun loungers surrounding the infinity swimming pool, all overlooked by his Mediterranean mansion.

I imagined it was just as beautiful in there.

It was easy to become distracted by the awe-inspiring ocean view and the rhythmic sound of lapping waves rising over the bluff.

A few stars twinkled through the cloudy sky and the cool breeze brushed over me, making me grateful for the warmth emanating from the heat lamps he’d turned on.

Tobias eased my wet gown over my hips, and I stepped out of it so happy to be free of the clingy dampness. He laid it on the back of a lounger and neared me again to remove my shoes, his caresses comforting and making my skin tingle beneath his touch. He eased my panties down my legs and threw them toward the dress. I swooned when he stood behind me and unclipped my bra and removed that too. He wrapped a soft towel around me.

He unbuttoned his shirt and tugged it off, undressing, and all the while giving me an endearing smile.

God, all this beauty—

That tattoo on his left shoulder was dazzling with its Aboriginal symbolism and served as a warning this was no ordinary man. And God, I was enraptured by that inked italic writing running along the side of his groin that he’d once translated for me as “Retribution where there is none. He who is about to win salutes you.”

This man was wild and dangerously smart and oh so mesmerizing, a vortex of erotic pleasures waiting to be explored. If I allowed myself to surrender, I’d be drawn into the whirlwind of his universe. Still, this wasn’t why I was here and, rising from this daze, I questioned the sanity of staying. Yet when he reached out and took my hand in his and interlocked our fingers my doubt lifted.

Tobias led me toward a bubbling Jacuzzi and I freed myself from my towel and made my way in, sighing with contentment because this was the warmth I’d pined for all the way here. Tobias stepped down to join me and settled opposite. He leaned back against the blue tiled wall and closed his eyes to bask in the heat. Steam cloaked around us. I couldn’t stop looking at him, couldn’t drag my gaze away from his unnerving allure.

He opened his eyes and gave a heart-stopping smile. “I like seeing you happy.”

“This place...” I gave a wistful sigh.

“You’re the first woman I’ve brought here.”

My breath stuttered at his sincerity and I sunk lower until only my head was above the water. All this grandeur felt overwhelming.

“Feel better?” he asked.

“Yes, much.”

“Good.”

“Don’t blame me for never getting out, though.”

He chuckled. “Maybe I’ll stay in here with you.”

My gaze found that my dripping Escada gown was hanging over the lounger. “I hope no one remembers.”

He gave a comforting smile. “Remembers what?”

Scrunching my nose, I replayed the embarrassing scene of the weather room with me in the starring role as water princess.

I turned my focus to his house with its sweeping large windows, that terra-cotta tiled roof and a large central balcony. Tobias had incredible taste and I’d thought his Oxfordshire house was remarkable. This was off-the-charts decadent.

Then there came the memory of those stolen paintings he’d stashed away in his English home.

I rose out of the water. “I should go.”

“Stay.” He gestured behind him. “I have a guesthouse if you prefer?”

A flash of movement—

I froze in dismay when I saw a floating contraption behind his shoulder. The drone hovered closer and there was a glint of moonlight reflecting off the two champagne glasses it balanced on its surface.

Tobias turned and he reached out to pick them up by the stems. “Thank you, Jade.” He handed a glass to me.

Jaw gaping, I accepted the drink. Jade was mobile now?

Surely this isn’t a good thing?

I set the delicate glass down and watched the drone making its way back toward the house.

Tobias set his down too, and moved toward me, reaching up to cup my face with his strong hands as he crushed his lips to mine, his tongue tangling, dominating, obliterating my reasons to leave, causing my body to shudder in the wake of his touch. He broke away and dipped slightly to suckle my left nipple, his teeth dragging along the sensitized beading.

A groan of pleasure escaped me as my sex clenched in response and I dug my fingernails into his biceps to hold him there. His arm slipped around my back to pull me firmly against him and this closeness sent me reeling. Wilder’s mouth captured my other breast, swirling his tongue around my areola and my head fell back as I swooned.

Soft lips kissed my shoulder. “Your skin feels like silk.” His hand disappeared beneath the water and he ran it over my belly and held it there. “Let me touch you.”

“Yes.”

He slid a fingertip along my sex and my thighs widened for him, and I gasped at the pleasure of his stroking. Reaching out for balance I gripped the edge of the tub. My wrist tapped my glass and it tipped over and broke in two on the tile.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“No problem.” He nuzzled into my ear and kissed my neck.

My eyes widened when I saw the drone was back and hovering near us again. It turned on its axis and its metal arms withdrew from its center. It swept up the broken glass.

No bloody way.

With all evidence of my mishap removed, the drone lifted higher and headed back. I marveled at yet another exclusive peek into his techno world.

Tobias slipped into a grin when he realized he’d left me speechless. “Want another glass?”

I shook my head.

He lifted me up and out of the water, laying me back on the edge with my legs dangling. He dragged me toward him and eased my thighs apart. “Like my drone?”

“Bit scary.”

“Not when you get to know her.”

I raised my head to look at him. “I like getting to know you better.”

“I like you being here.”

“This is paradise.” I let out a long sigh.

“This...is paradise.” He buried his face between my thighs and my body shivered when his tongue swept along my sex.

“You like that?” he said huskily.

“Yes, it’s amazing.”

“The last thing you need is me doing this to you for hours.”

“Can you be more specific?” I encouraged playfully.

Tobias ran his tongue along me again and feverishly suckled.

“Oh, I see what you mean now.” I trembled with pleasure as he flicked away, finding a perfect rhythm of circling.

He plunged his tongue inside, owning my sex as he used a fingertip to circle my clit until I was racing at supersonic speed toward climax, my hips pumping as I rode this endless wave of bliss.

Close...

He ceased suddenly.

And pulled away, leaving me panting wantonly for his mouth to find me again, my orgasm right there waiting for me to reach its pinnacle. Rising onto my elbows, I stared at him questioningly.

Tobias smiled. “Let me show you your room.”

Blinking at him, I tried to grasp his reason for revving me right to the edge of an orgasm and then leaving me suspended in a burning desire. Then I realized Tobias was going to take me to bed, which was a good thing with me so jittery with need. I watched him climb out of the Jacuzzi as I pushed myself up, and let him wrap that large white towel around me again.

He grabbed a towel for himself and dipped low for his drink and handed it to me. “Nightcap.”

Padding barefoot behind him, my breath stilted from this yearning between my thighs as I followed him toward a guesthouse.

He punched a series of digits into a keypad to the right of the entryway and opened the door for me. “You’ll find everything you need in here.”

“Where will you be?”

Tobias gestured to the house and leaned forward to kiss my forehead. “See you in the morning.”

What was this?

As he headed along the pathway, he scooped up my wet dress and shoes on the way, leaving me standing there with my body about burst into flames with the passion he’d ignited. Even with this supposed rejection I was still tingling all over, and it didn’t help to see his sculptured back and his sexy swagger that was hypnotic to watch.

I went in and closed the door behind me and ran through if I’d done something wrong. The guesthouse looked spacious and homey with its open-plan sitting room, a large sofa and a wide screen TV, all of it was inviting. Of all the scenarios I’d imagined, this wasn’t one of them. My thoughts spiraled with all the ways he’d made love to me before and the pleasure he’d denied me tonight.

What the hell?

No, you don’t bring a woman to your beautiful home after tricking her to come with you, strip her naked and pop her in your Jacuzzi and then push her to the edge of pleasure until she’s a writhing mess of bliss—and then amble off.

I have more self-respect.

I set the glass on the entryway table and headed out of there ready to challenge Tobias about his teasing. After circling the property and finding all the doors locked and the windows secured I stomped back to the guesthouse.

Cheeky bastard.

He’d locked me out.

The touch of his kiss still lingering between my thighs made it challenging to come down from this erotic roller coaster. I went back in for the champagne flute and made my way outside the front door.

Oops.

The glass slipped from my fingers—shattering shards on the tile.

I waited...

Tobias had told me he’d not brought anyone else here. My heart skipped a beat wanting to believe this. Maybe, just maybe the proof was in there. A jolt of adrenaline hit me when I saw a flash of movement—the drone coming toward me.

I wasn’t letting him off the hook after bringing me all the way out here. I ran through what motives he had for his actions.

Wait.

Unless he was planning on hitting a place tonight, and I’d chipped away at his precious evening with our fun time in the tub.

The drone lowered and swept up the glass.

Careful of any missed pieces I sidestepped the pathway and followed Jade toward the main house; exhilaration rising that this might work. The machine moved toward a low window and the glass frame slid upward. This was clearly a breach in Tobias’s security, because I was scrambling after it, over the windowsill and squirming my body around to lower myself in.

My towel fell to the ground and I scrambled to pick it up and wrap it back around myself, tucking in the top to resecure it. I was stuck here with no clothes, which meant going after Tobias was going to be a challenge if he left. Still, I reasoned, he’d probably have something here I could borrow.

Yes, buddy, you’re not slowing me down.

I breathed in the floral scent of fresh-cut flowers and padded barefoot along the stone floor down a long hallway. I listened out for Tobias as the drone floated ahead of me. Getting one over on Wilder felt so damn good. I turned the corner and saw the wall of water cascading into a blue pool, a soothing showpiece highlighting the open-spaced contemporary style.

Farther down, an enormous print with the signature style of Mark Rothko adorned a white wall with its glorious gold, pink, orange and a dash of pale blue splendor. I closed in on the vast canvas, admiring the vibrant brushstrokes that were fast and light—

No way.

Tobias had an authentic Mark Rothko hanging in his home. My breath stuttered at the realization this was a multimillion-dollar masterpiece from the renowned Russian Jewish painter who’d been hailed as America’s most talented abstract impressionist.

My stare roamed over his striking mixture of color with its vibrant tones reminiscent of his earlier days, not his later work that reflected Rothko’s painstaking soul-searching. The kind so many artists endure when their star rises and stirs the complexity of art in its purist form versus the financial freedom it promised. A brilliant man whose tragic suicide sent shock waves throughout the community. More than this, Rothko left behind his somber paintings from when he’d been at his lowest and on the day he died, they’d arrived at the Tate Gallery in London as though he’d waited for them to find a safe home first.

To honor Mark’s wishes, I stood eighteen inches away from the canvas just as he’d instructed us, close enough to experience his brilliance and not impose meaning but welcome its effect on an emotional level. An inner light emanated from the colors that were miraculously merging; my heart and mind drinking in the beauty.

Soul merging and slipping through its center...

This, this was proof art was more than a canvas and paint, but a living, breathing entity, enticing us to see more.

Be more.

I lost track of time.

My gaze rose to the ceiling to look for surveillance cameras. The drone was at eye level and seemed to be watching me. Hurrying up a large staircase, I admired Tobias’s decor. There were touches of the Far East, like the exquisitely carved wooden sculpture of the Hindu god Shiva and the Asian chest flush against the wall that gave the place an earthy feel.

Moving from room to room I listened out for him.

I paused inside a room that looked lived in from the half-made bed in the center with a carved headboard. I went in farther and brushed my hand along the soft duvet, imagining him spending time in here. Inside the walk-in wardrobe was an assortment of sharp-looking suits, pristine shirts and more casual wear, and all of them hung neatly. Sitting on an island was a row of polished business shoes and on the shelf below were his expensive-looking sports shoes. I explored his necktie collection which appeared handcrafted and, pulling another drawer open, I saw a selection of expensive watches.

After dropping my towel to the floor, I reached up for one of his white shirts and tugged it off its hanger. I pulled it on and buttoned it up. I found a pair of his boxer shorts, they were baggy on me but they’d do.

Across the other side of the room was a glass window leading to an expansive balcony and from here I could see how far his property went. There was a tennis court to the left, and to the right was a helicopter parked on a flight pad, and straight ahead was a sandy pathway down to the beach. This place seemed so dreamy.

Inside his bathroom, I found a comb and pulled it through my damp hair, glancing around for any evidence a woman might have left her stuff here. I was relieved not to see any. All the products were for men and all organized perfectly. His shower and bathtub were both enormous. Tobias seemed to love neatness.

On my way out of his bedroom I noticed a portrait-sized package leaning against the wall and it was wrapped in brown paper and tied in twine. I knelt beside it and held a corner ready to rip it a little to take a peek.

There came a sound from the hallway. I went to explore the noise—

Turning the corner, I jolted to a stop when I saw a white kitten wobbling unsteadily on the carpet. It was crying for its mother.

“Hello, little thing.” I approached slowly. “What are you doing?”

Bright blue eyes blinked at me and I giggled at its cuteness and went to pick it up.

The kitten morphed larger—

A scream tore from me.

An enormous lion was where the kitten had been and its vivid black eyes were large and wild. His teeth were bared in anger as he shook his thick mane, back muscles flexing and he ran my way.

He lunged at me.

Falling backward onto my bum, my arms up and bracing for the attack, I squeezed my eyes shut to ready for the agony.

Quiet.

Daring to peek, I exhaled a long desperate breath when I saw it was gone.

I am going to bloody well kill him.

“Tobias!” I screeched and scrambled to my feet in a haze of panic-drenched breaths, using the wall to steady myself as I made my way along, realizing he’d used a hologram on me.

The drone hovered at the end of the hallway.

“Jade, take me to Tobias.” My voice wavered with fury.

Jade led me down the stairs and through the house and I wondered if Tobias had returned my access to her. She was certainly responding as though he had or maybe this was a safety mechanism in Jade’s software to protect him.

My heart was still pounding. I’d been naive to believe this was going to be easy. Halfway down a long corridor I heard a clanging chain and what sounded like thumping.

I pointed a finger at Jade. “If this is a trick I’ll rip your arms off.”

It hovered, waiting.

Nudging the door open I peered in and my breath caught at the primal beauty of a bare-chested Tobias wearing shorts and boxing gloves. His legs were slightly parted and his gaze was fixed on a large red punching bag that he was pounding with left and right hooks; his chiseled torso rippling as he circled it, perspiration glistening off his body. My jaw tensed at the erotic splendor of the way he controlled each punch.

He stopped suddenly and caught the bag to still it. His green eyes narrowed on me.

I stepped in farther. “Love the house.”

“Looks like someone had a run-in with an African lion?” He smiled broadly. “Is that my shirt?”

“Might be.”

“We have a thief in our midst.”

My glare shifted to the bag and I wondered if he’d chosen this sport to burn off his sexual tension. Right now, I was close to attacking the thing myself. Why did he have to look so damn gorgeous from every angle? So ripped and primed for pleasure.

“Why did you bring me here?” I snapped.

Confusion marred his face. “To spend time with you.”

“What made you change your mind?”

“I didn’t.”

“What you did to me in the Jacuzzi...” I shook my head to say the rest.

He turned and looked across the room as confliction swept over his face.

“Tobias, back at The Broad you begged me to tell you I want you.”

“You didn’t say it.”

“So is this my punishment?”

“Why must you be so captivating?”

“Why must you be so infuriating?”

“I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.”

Tobias gave another heart-stopping smile as though flaunting his power. He was all well-defined alpha and seductive pose but something told me he wasn’t even trying; this was his natural state, fixed in an unwitting stance of seduction.

“Follow me.” I gestured to his gloves. “Keep those on.”

His arms fell to his sides and his brows rose with curiosity.

I led him over to the seating area where there were two red lounge chairs.

“Sit,” I ordered.

He tilted his head in intrigue.