Page 2 of Savage Temptation
Lance whistles as he watches her walk away. “I don’t know how you say no to a body like that.”
He’s not the only one who’s confused. A year ago, I would have taken them both up to my penthouse. Perhaps even a third.
I exhale morosely. “I do it without batting an eye.”
“Of all the nights to party it up, this would be the one. You landed Ashcroft International—which is insane!”
“I’m sure my family’s name had nothing to do with it.”
“You’re in tech, competing with juggernauts like the Icors,” Lance enthuses. “This is a big deal.”
“Oh, my God—is that Atticus Savage?” A porcelain-skinned redhead points a perfectly manicured finger at me.
How is she so surprised to see me when the party’s being held in my honor?
“Let me guess, you’re going to turn her down too?” Lance chides.
“I prefer to see it as denying these women bragging rights.”
“Well, I’m going hunting. Wish me luck,” Lance says, then stalks in the direction of a leggy blonde.
I’m well aware of how cocky I sound, but it’s true. I’m considered one of the world’s most eligible bachelors and a night with me would assure these ladies a slew of modeling gigs, free swag from high-end boutiques, and other men within my orbit.
And being wanted for those reasons has left me feeling empty.
Richard Scarlet approaches with an outstretched hand. We shake. “Bravo for the good work, my friend. I hear your Savage Playground is making waves. Heck, a tsunami.”
Though we grew up on opposite coasts, we’ve hovered in each other’s circles our entire lives, eventually attending the same college.
I ignore the redhead and give Scarlet my full attention. “While it’s not as exciting as opening nightclubs around the world, I do think the pornography implications make it a tad spicy.”
Scarlet laughs. “No wonder Ashcroft signed. Sex is money. By the way, I saw you dash those beating hearts earlier. Tell me, have you found love in your Playground?”
I snicker. “Not even close. While some scientists that have worked on the project have developed an…unhealthy relationship with the bots, I can’t say I share their appeal.”
“People are going to lose their damn minds. With your technology, average Joes can have your real-life sex life.”
“May I remind you that my project will revolutionize the way we teach healthcare and other technical and dangerous jobs? It’s not just about v-pussy.”
“My mind is more focused on V-Tatum and V-Hemsworth, anyway.” Scarlet doubles over in laughter. I forgot how funny he can be.
“If I can acquire a license, I plan on charging an arm and a leg for their skins, so save up.”
“Hm, is there a special? Is it more to bang Hemsworth’s Thor over The Huntsman? Will there be a BOGO?”
I chuckle, but as funny as he is, I find myself lacking joy.
Scarlet casts me a dubious look. “You don’t seem happy despite just closing a deal that will make you one of the ten richest men on the planet.”
I shrug. “Success is never what you think it is.”
“Tell me then, what is it?”
“It’s being given everything you need in life in great excess, while disallowing you the things you really want.”
“What do you want that copious amounts of money and a near-perfect virtual reality world can’t buy?”
I look him dead in the eye. “I don’t know.”
