Let's Play A Dirty Ass Game, Mr. CEO

Chapter 27: WHAT’S YOUR IDEA OF FUN, MS. HAYES?

LAURA

For a moment, no one moved.

Harlan’s hand tightened possessively on my waist as Tristan’s blue eyes took in the scene.

My heart skipped as I watched him. He looked so out of his mind, put together, but barely held together. The sight was so gratifying, a tempting thought trickled into my mind.

I averted my lips to Harlan’s ear and whispered, "oops." My eyes never left Tristan’s face.

Harlan and I broke apart with as much composure as possible.

Tristan’s jaw was set in a grim line as he watched us alight the elevator. "It appears I interrupted quite ’the’ moment."

Harlan scoffed, nudging my arm. "We had to go in for a quick hug there. A soft moment. That’s right, Ms. Hayes?"

My lips curled in a smile as I watched Tristan’s face go dark. "That’s right, Mr. Voss. It’s been quite a draining day. I thought my company was about to be snatched right from under my nose.

A laugh rumbled in Harlan’s chest.

Tristan remained stone-faced. He shoved his hands in his pocket and took the lead. "Thank you for showing up to celebrate this deal with us. Honestly, I think a little fun hurts no one."

"It depends on your idea of your fun," my lips curled in a smirk, "Mr. Pierce."

He tossed me a glance that lasted a long, awkward moment. "What’s your idea of fun, Ms. Hayes?"

"My idea of fun?" I hesitated, biting my lips as we turned into a corner that was darker than the space we just through. Here the lights were dim, oscillating in chrome colors.

"Mmhm." Tristan turned the corner and peered at us over his shoulder. "Humor me."

I sighed. "Just something strong after a long day and twirling my waist to Shakira’s music, in my terrain. Hurts no one, actually. But here we are."

His eyes glinted under the dim lights. "Uh-huh?"

Harlan chuckled. "Good fun, Ms. Hayes. Good fun."

Loud cheers reached our ears as we approached a double-door entrance. Tristan ran a hand through his hair. "This is nothing like your idea of fun. But I hope it suffices."

Everyone else from the meeting earlier seemed to be seated at the table already. Everyone except my Mara.

"It’s the new top model and the boss!" Someone’s voice rose above the din, and the small crowd raised a toast to us as we walked to the table.

The boss, huh? Who said there was only one of them here?

Dinner commenced with our presence and Tristan was given the floor to make a little kickstart speech.

"No one is happier about this deal than I am." His gaze found me from across the table as he lifted his glass. "This is to everyone who honored a real vision. To everyone who stretched that vision to reality. It’s only going to get better from here."

"That’s right!" The people at the table cheered as they lifted their glasses against each other.

Tristan tipped his glass in my direction, his eyes twinkling. "Ms. Hayes, it will be a pleasure to hear a few words of wisdom from the newest top model in the city."

I watched him for a beat or two, trying to determine his play. Then I tossed the rest of the drink down my throat and sprang to my feet.

"Thank you," I swayed slightly and Harlan’s hand was instantly on my knee, steadying me gently. "Uh..thank you, Mr. Pierce. It’s quite an honor," I scoffed and made a face, "an honor to work with you. I guess."

A hush fell on the table. My cheeks bloomed hot.

God, it had to be the alcohol. Why else should I be blubbering?

The waiters arrived with the first course, interrupting the awkward moment.

I took my seat and reached for the wine bottle to pour myself another glass because I could not stand the embarrassment any less sober than I was.

Tristan does the same thing, brushing my hand just before I grab the bottle. Heat exploded across my face and body as his heated gaze burned into mine for longer than a second.

Harlan cleared his throat next to me. "Want me to get that for you?"

"Thank you, Harlan. I’ve got it."

He paused, watching me intently as I fumbled with the cork. "You seem like you’ve had enough. Sure you want to take any more?" he finished with a nervous laugh.

I giggled, shaking my head. "Harlan...we’re here to have fun. Did you not hear the CEO?"

Across the table, I noticed the tiniest change in Tristan’s expression. The slightest curve of his lips in a smirk.

Harlan cleared his throat and leaned into me. "Don’t just overdo it, okay?"

I flinched, wondering for just a split second, why he thought he could tell me what to do.

We were just friends who wouldn’t even fuck each other despite the sexual sparks flying everywhere between us!

Okay, that was definitely the alcohol.

"Laura, you heard me?"

"Yes I hear you, daddy." I rolled my eyes at him and he leaned back with a satisfied smirk.

The waiter rambled on in a descriptive presentation of the dish of seared scallops and brown butter sauce. I watched in half-attention, my peripheral vision locked on Tristan.

His arms were laid up nicely against the table, thick veins catching my attention even from across the table, as he twirled the glass between his fingers.

I lifted my eyes to his face, and he was watching me. I shifted uncomfortably and tilted my head to the side, meeting his gaze squarely.

Barely realizing when the waiter’s rambling was interrupted by a commotion at the front door.

Tristan tore his gaze with great difficulty as a security guard hurried over to him and whispered something in his ear.

Then the suited man hurried away, urgency in his steps.

Tristan stood and started to come around the table. My heart picked up a race.

But before he could get to me, the doors burst open and a female voice hollered into the space.

"What is this? Tristan!!"

I looked up to see Madison storming into the room, her eyes aflame with rage.

Tristan’s jaw tightened into a grim line. "Madison. Why are you here?" I could not understand why he always seemed displeased to see her. They were obviously a thing. Was he not satisfied with his pick?

The thought brought a snort to my lips. And everyone in the room turned their attention to me.

Madison skulked over. "Excuse me, Ms. Hayes. Was that for me?"

I pressed my lips together, biting back another snort. "Absolutely not."

She paused in front of me and folded her arms across her chest. Her eyes burned dark with malice as they traveled down my body.

"Look at you, the little rat, circling back to the mine. What have you got planned this time, huh?"