Page 28 of Anti-Player

Chapter Eight

Mikel

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Our Picture PerfectGoogle Date is going better than I hoped.

But then, when I'd left my condo earlier in the night, rushing to gather things, making calls, all the while not knowing if Paige would even answer her door after my massive fuck-up... my bar had been low.

Now, as I gaze at her over the top of my glass of wine while she chews on her spinach gnocchi, I marvel at how smoothly the time with her is passing. She's easy to talk to, and yes, easy on the eyes.

When she'd stepped out of her bedroom earlier in a tight purple dress and black heels, hair loose down her naked back, lips tinted dusky-rose, I'd lost the ability to talk. I'd nearly dropped the pickle jar I'd washed out, filled with water, and set the roses in.

And, my god, how she flushed when she noticed how hungry I was for her.

Thinking about it did jiggle loose a question though. One that I decide to finally bring up. “Paige,” I say, setting down my wine. “I wanted to ask something.”

“Hm?” She blinks at me with her cheeks full.

My eyes rake over her. “You're undeniably beautiful.”

“Urk!” She chokes a bit, washing down her mouthful with a gulp of water. “Sorry? What?” she laughs nervously.

“I'm trying to understand why you use a virtual character for your videos. I can't see a reason you'd hide how you look. Am I missing something?”

Paige glances sideways, shrugging. “It's just easier this way.”

“I don't know what you mean.”

“You wouldn't,” she says with a bite. Eyeballing me, she adds, “Not everyone is in a position of power like you.” When I begin to shake my head, she taps the table for emphasis. “You can't be oblivious to it. Can you?”

My urge is to defend myself. Being told I'm powerful is one thing, but accusing me of not realizing it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. “You're mad at me for having money?” I ask.

“Not just money!” She notices she's getting louder, sees people glance our way. Lowering her voice so says, “You're not the only one that does research. I looked you up. You have no social media footprint, but your company does. Your dad is a billionaire, Mikel. His company—your company—exists because he was able to use his influence to grow it. And I bet the same goes for you.”

“I never used his name for anything.”

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