All Chapters of His Wicked Games series: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

I've only met Calder once in person, but that was enough. It was at the Frazer Center's Arts & Hearts fundraiser, a black tie dinner we host every Valentine's Day in our gallery space. The affair is our most formal event of the year, and in addition to raising a good chunk of money, it's our chance to honor our biggest donors and supporters. Wentworth Cunningham attended the event every year, but last February - about five months before he died - he brought his son Calder along as well.I'll admit it: I was excited to meet the infamous heir to the Cunningham fortune. I mean, you can't even pop through the supermarket checkout line without spotting him on one of the tabloids - usually on some Italian beach with the latest "it" girl. I was curious. I couldn't help it.Calder was, at first glance, everything I expected. There seems to be one in every "old money" family: the son with the good looks and bad behavior to spare. He definitely lived up to his photos. Some would call him the e

Panic rises in my throat."You mean I'm stranded here? With you?""It appears so." Calder eyes me over his glass. "You don't have to look so terrified. I'm not going to devour you or anything.""That's not exactly the impression you gave me a moment ago.""Believe it or not, I prefer my women consenting. Enthusiastic, even. Until you're willing to admit that you're attracted to me, I won't lay a finger on you. After that...""There won't be an 'after that'. I'm not attracted to you. Quite the opposite, actually. You're an asshole, and I don't care if I'm stuck here tonight. Nothing is going to happen between us.""Very well then," he says, nonplussed. "But since you can't leave, would you care to return to the table? I don't want Martin's hard work to get cold while we sit here at our little stalemate.""It's not a stalemate," I insist. "There's no discussion here. Nothing will happen between us."He nods, unconcerned, and I want nothing more than to smack that smug smile off o

When I get back to my room, I pull out my phone. The calls were an excuse, but it's probably still a good idea to let my dad know I'll be delayed longer than I expected. I hate leaving him alone back at the Center, but there's nothing I can do. I'm stuck here, whether I like it or not.Dad's flustered when I get him on the line. He sounds even worse than he did last night."What's going on?" I say.He sighs. "Ella quit this morning. She felt really bad about it, you could see, but she found a position at an office downtown. Not that I blame her. Her last paycheck bounced. We were going to have to let her go soon anyway, and she was smart enough to see that."I don't blame her either. Ella's stuck with us through a lot, but she has to make a living, just like everyone else. Still, now there's even more work on my dad's shoulders."I hate to leave you swamped," I say. "I promise I'll be home as soon as I can. As soon as the road's clear, I'll be back. I'll stay at the Center all nig

The corner of Calder's mouth curls up in that charming little half smile of his. He spreads his arms wide."Make your guess," he says, his eyes gleaming wickedly. "I'll be waiting.""How do I know you won't change your answer if I guess correctly?""You can trust me," he insists.I'm not sure I can, but this is going too well for me to want to pick a fight. He seems to be enjoying our little game, and I mean to play him for all he's worth.I continue my stroll down the gallery, scanning the art on either side of me as I pass, looking for anything that jumps out from the others. I'm at a major disadvantage here, that much is certain, but I'm willing to lose this battle if it means ultimately winning the war.Still, the competitive side of me wants to give it my best shot. I'd really love to see his face when I get it right. My eyes roam over the collection. There are paintings of every style and medium I can imagine, as well as sculptures of clay, wood, metal, even marble.I stop

The rest of dinner is, surprisingly, rather tame. We talk about anything and everything, from books to politics to our favorite flavors of ice cream. Calder is far more well-read and thoughtful in his opinions than I originally anticipated, but I'm too distracted by our bet to spend much energy marveling at his intelligence. There are too many glances to decipher, too many casual touches to give and receive. I've heard the dance of seduction compared to a game of chess, but never before have I recognized the truth of such words. Everything that passes between us is a move in this elaborate game of lust, and I'm afraid that while I'm planning my next turn, Calder will sneak up behind me with some strategy I haven't even considered.By the end of the meal, I'm tense and tired."Will you lead me back to my room?" I ask, looking up at Calder through my lashes. "I got lost twice on the way down here.""Of course," he says, sliding a finger along the back of my palm.The walk back to my