Page 12 of The Pursuit

“Fuck off,” I growled.

Chuckling, he came around to stand beside me. “Now that I think about it, I don’t think I’veeverseen you get shot down.”

“Like I said, fuck off.”

“What hope is there for the rest of us when Mr. Gold Member himself crashes and burns?”

Although I was slightly shaken up from Gaby’s epic brushoff, I sure as hell wasn’t going to let my little brother get the best of me. “Who said I was out of the game?”

“Uh, I’m pretty sure Gaby did when she just verbally assaulted you.”

“And that’s where you show you’re truly not a master when it comes to the Pussy Game.”

“Is that right?”

I nodded. “I was just getting warmed up.” Cocking my head at him, I added, “I mean, what fun is it if they just fall down and spread their legs?”

With a shrug, he replied, “Easy ass is always good for me.”

“You have much to learn.”

“Okay, Master, what’s your next move?”

My gaze focused on Gaby in the crowd. She was making her way to the door. “Persistence.” After I watched her leave the ballroom, I turned to Liam. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a gorgeous piece of ass to pursue.”

As I started walking to the exit, Liam called, “May the force be with you!”

Since Gaby had a lead on me, I rushed over to another set of doors leading out of the ballroom. I managed to cut around the hallway to come face-to-face with her. The moment her eyes locked on mine, she scowled. Her gaze quickly darted to the bank of elevators across from us. After she hopped on an empty one, I joined her.

"Jesus, are you stalking me!"

"No. I'm just trying to finish our conversation,” I replied as Gaby smacked a button on the panel, and the doors closed behind us.

The glare she shot me could’ve made paint curl. "Take the hint, Golden Boy, and get lost."

"Not until you truly hear me out."

Gaby opened her mouth to protest when the elevator shuddered to a stop. We both froze momentarily. Glancing up the ceiling, Gaby demanded, "What the hell was that?"

"Sounded like the elevator malfunctioned." I tapped the open doors button but nothing happened. "Looks like we're stuck."

“Stop screwing with me.”

“That’s what we could’ve been doing if you hadn’t run away,” I teased.

After a massive eye roll, Gaby then shoved me away from the panel. As her fingers reached out to poke the buttons, I noticed they were trembling. "No, no, no!" Shaking her head wildly back and forth, she shrieked, "This can't be happening."

"Calm down. We’re just stuck.” I then opened the emergency door on the panel. After pressing the button for help, I said, “Now it’s all reported, and we just have to wait.” When she didn’t respond, I glanced over my shoulder.

Gaby’s face had paled, and her shoulders rose and fell in harsh pants. "I.can't.breathe!"

“Oh shit.”

With the wild look of a trapped animal, Gaby began to pace around the elevator car. In between heaving for breath, she wrung her hands wildly. At the sight of her panic, my mind spun with what to do. I thought about what the coaches used to say when someone was about to lose their shit before a competition.

Stepping in front of Gaby, I grabbed her by the shoulders. “Listen to me. Count to five as you breathe in, and then release on five.”

“Can’t.”

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