Free Kade's Game by C. M. Owens

fact that my dad hates it.
    "You've been trying to get a look?" I ask, moving in closer.
    I roll it to be between my teeth, giving her a better view, while possibly trying to seduce her.  I forget about the weapon in my mouth most days.  Had I known it would drive her as crazy as she's been driving me, I'd have been swirling this thing around quite a bit.
    When it's apparent that her mind has either gone blank or scandalous, I pull it back and grin at her.
    "You could have just asked."
    The song ends, and I almost hear her labored breaths.  I'm already on the verge of breaking, and her sweet, breathless panting is close to pushing me over the edge.  She staggers as I lean back, and I grab her waist to steady her.  How much has she been drinking?
    "I guess you did more than nurse that beer," I say teasingly.
    A drunk Raya?  I'd love to see that.
    "I guess so," she says, exciting me more.
    There's no telling what truths I could get out of her if she gets drunk.  The mystery shrouding her might get squashed.  I look forward to this.
    "Good.  You need to loosen up."
    After retrieving her empty cup, I take her hand in mine and start leading her through the crowd.  She needs a refill.  Now.
    I realize I haven't even complimented her tonight, and I silently chastise myself for such a lapse.
    "That dress looks good on you.  I'm glad I didn't let you bypass the dresses you'd never wear ," I say with a small grin.
    Her giggle is so sweet and rewarding, but it also tempts me more.  When I smile, she giggles a little more.  Hell yes.  She's already close to being drunk.
    I hand over her cup to the keg master, and look back at her.
    Shit.  She's staring at Brock?  Really?  I won't allow that.  I'll have to keep a closer eye on her if she's getting drunk, because Brock isn't touching her.
    "Don't tell me Brock's your type," I groan.
    "No," she says, bringing her eyes back to mine.
    Thank God.
    "Good.  I really don't want Brock hanging out and making your room sound like a carnival."
    Though I'm smiling, I'm serious as hell.
    "No worries.  I can promise you won't be hearing anything like that coming from my room.  What about you?  Are any of these girls part of your business? "
    A touch of jealousy , perhaps?  Good.  I pretend as though I'm looking around to make sure, and then I shrug.
    "Not in that way.  I'm friends with them, but I draw the line at those sorts of personal relationships with anyone you see in this room.  I don't need the drama later on in life.  This group —these people—have some of the most influential parents I've met, which is why they're the hardest partiers.  Let's say I hook up with one.  Later on, she or her husband could be the hitch in a major business arrangement."
    Again, I'm telling her too much.  I need to learn to keep this stuff to myself.
    "You plan really far ahead, don't you?" she asks while shaking her head.
    "I have to if I want to be successful.  Considering it'll be my grandfather's business I take over, I want to be very successful.  It's what he deserves."
    Those eyes hold a depth of adoration I wasn't expecting, and for a second, I almost say to hell with us playing any game and just kiss her.  But I can't.  I don't know what I want from her, but I do know I can't let anyone else have her.  Could I try a relationship?  Would she be ready for that step?  How many shots of tequila have I had?
    "Do you ever do anything just for fun?" she asks, looking up at me with those beautiful, innocent eyes.
    "All sorts of things.  I'm driven, but I'm not a robot," I say while trying not to picture all the fun things I'd like to do with her.
    "So?"
    "I'm talking to you right now for fun.  I have no business interest in you."
    I'm rewarded by her sexy grin, and I can't stop myself from smiling back.  I really like this version of Raya.
    "Now, let's dance.  For fun."
    I pull her, and she comes willingly into the thick of the dancing partiers.  I struggle not to be a