Entranced (The ROGUES Billionaire #1) - Tracie Delaney Page 0,61

taken off?”

“He won’t.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I told him the special project is a secret for Elliot. Stop putting obstacles in the way, Athena. You’re with me from one p.m. and won’t be home until late on Sunday.”

“Where are we going?”

He tapped the side of his nose. “All good things come to those who wait.”

“What if I have plans?”

“I happen to know you don’t, but if playing that game makes you happy, then I’ll bite. Cancel them.”

“Has anyone ever told you you’re both arrogant and presumptuous?”

“Many people, frequently. I’ll add you to the list.” He smacked my ass. “Now go, unless you want Elliot to catch you in here.” He glanced at his watch. “He’ll be arriving in five minutes.”

And right there was the reason why Ryker Stone was such a successful businessman. He knew which buttons to press at precisely the right time, and he familiarized himself with his opponent’s weaknesses.

I scuttled out, heat flooding my face as I passed Patricia’s desk, although she wouldn’t have a clue what had taken place in her boss’s office. At least I hoped not.

The rest of the morning crawled by. My mind conjured up all sorts of theories for what Ryker had planned. Since the Christmas party, we’d spent every spare moment together—even Christmas Day. However, as we’d been surrounded by friends and family rather than alone, Ryker had reverted to his previous default setting: intolerant and barely speaking to me. Despite knowing the reason why, it still stung. He played a great game, though. No one had a clue.

The Addison’s deal was due to be finalized on New Year’s Eve—three days from now, hence why ROGUES had a skeleton staff working through the holidays—and we’d decided to tell Elliot and my parents as soon as the ink was dry on the contract. Neither of us felt comfortable lying to those we loved, but the timing had to be perfect. My brother rarely buckled to work pressure, but this deal had pushed him to the edge. The last thing he needed was the news of Ryker and me to heap more stress upon his shoulders.

At five minutes before one, I closed down my computer and wished my coworkers a nice weekend. I rode the elevator down to the lobby, arriving with a minute to spare. I glanced around. No sign of Ryker. The cheek of the man, demanding I arrive on time, yet he—

“The car’s outside,” he murmured in my ear, striding on ahead.

I jumped, staring at his retreating back, then scurried after him. Diving into the back of the limo, I closed the door behind me.

“You should warn people you’re there,” I said.

“Why spoil the fun?” He loosened his tie and unfastened the top button on his crisp white shirt. “What a week.”

I checked the partition was up—it was—then crawled onto his lap. Smoothing the pads of my thumbs over his frown lines, I leaned in and kissed him. “You look tired.”

“I am. This weekend will perk me up, though. I’m better off than Elliot. Poor bastard has to work right through if we’re going to hit Monday’s deadline to sign the Addison’s contract.”

“I’ve never seen him so stressed.”

“He’ll be fine. When you’ve poured months of your life into something and it’s edging toward the finish line, it’s only natural the pressure will mount.”

“Isn’t he irritated you’re not sticking around to help him?”

Ryker chuckled. “If I tried to interfere at this stage of the negotiations, Elliot would be seriously pissed, and rightfully so. Your brother is extremely smart and more than capable of closing this deal. He doesn’t need me muddying the waters. He knows where to find me if he needs support.” He trailed a finger between my breasts. “Besides, I’m busy with other equally important activities this weekend.”

His voice dripped sex. Hot, sweaty, dirty sex. A tremor ran through me.

“And what exactly do those activities entail?” I whispered.

Ryker cocked a brow. “If that’s your best effort at extracting information, we’ve definitely got the right Bancroft working on the Addison’s deal.”

I hit his shoulder with the heel of my palm. “Jackass.”

He lifted me off his lap, sitting me back in my seat. “Buckle up before you get arrested. That would spoil my plans.”

Thirty minutes later, the car stopped. I peered out the window, my gaze falling on the company jet, the same one Ryker and I had traveled in from Japan.

“We’re flying?” I asked.

“A reasonable hypothesis.”

I rolled my eyes. “Can I expect more teasing to be forthcoming?” I