Page 10 of Wicked Beautiful (Wicked Games 1)
“And judging by his whole ‘Ms. Victoria Price, I presume’ spiel, he didn’t recognize you, I take it.”
“No, he did not.”
There’s a long, uncomfortable pause.
“And that’s all you’re going to tell me, I
take it.”
I look away, to the wall of windows at the front of the restaurant. Outside in the cold New York evening, it’s begun to softly rain.
I feel a touch on my arm. I turn to find Darcy gazing at me. After a moment, she says, “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. Rightamento?”
“You know, Gloria,” I reply, voice wavering, “sometimes I think I’d like to marry you.”
She laughs, squeezes my arm, and signals the waiter for another drink. “Honey, I’d like to marry myself. At least that way I’d know I’d be getting a hot piece of ass every night.”
I can’t help myself; I laugh. Loudly and unselfconsciously, just as Darcy did when we met at the door and I told her that this place looked like it was hosting a white girl anorexia convention.
At the end of my laughing fit, when I happen to glance toward the kitchen, Parker Maxwell is standing half in shadow in a doorway, watching me with a look of grave intensity, as if he’s trying to figure out where he’s seen me before, or perhaps contemplating whether or not to put a bullet in my head.
I shoot him my most insincere smile.
He doesn’t smile back.
I can already tell this is going to get messy.
FOUR
~ Parker ~
“All right. Tell me what you know about Victoria Price.”
I’ve got Bailey’s reedy arm in my grip. She’s just tried to brush past me on her way into the kitchen, but I need to know more. And I need to know now.
Bailey looks down at my hand. With quirked brows, she looks back up at my face. “OK, Tarzan, I’ll tell you. But get your fucking hand off my arm.”
She’s right; I’m out of line. Every once in a while, Bailey surprises me.
“I’m sorry.” I release her and hold my palms up in surrender. “Stupid move.”
“Dick move.” She emphasizes the first word.
I nod my head. “Agreed. Dick move. I apologize.”
She looks at me closely for several seconds to see if I’m joking. I must not apologize as much as necessary. Oh shit, am I a dick?
Oh shit, am I turning into my father?
The thought drains all the blood from my face. I drop my hands to my sides and look Bailey directly in the eye. “I’m sorry, Bailey. I shouldn’t have touched you like that. I wasn’t thinking, but that’s no excuse.” Something new occurs to me and I stare at her bare arm in horror. “Did I hurt you?”
Bailey rolls her eyes. “No, you didn’t hurt me, for God’s sake!” She pauses. “Though if you wanted to, something could definitely be arranged.” She sticks out her hip, smartly smacks her behind, and then winks at me.
That little gem makes me blink for a few seconds before I can compose myself. “I think we’ll call it even on the inappropriate employer-employee behavior for the evening. But I’m flattered. Truly. If I were into beating women, I’m sure that would be an irresistible invitation.”
“Spanking isn’t the same as beating, boss. And you know, lots of women like a little rough play—”
“Bailey.”
