Fifth Avenue Devil

Chapter 20

Twenty

Nate

N ot yet. Just let me spend a few more minutes of this delicious space between the dimness of sleep and the harshness of being awake.

Sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the penthouse. I don’t want to wake up yet. As I drowse in my king-sized bed, I think about how incredible last night with Annalise was.

God, I barely recognize myself. Who am I? I used to be so cool and detached. Now it seems that despite my usual one-night stand policy, I can't help but crave more of Annalise.

I’m honestly not sure how to feel about my current predicament. Mostly I’m confused, but there is a strange undercurrent of energy. A thrum of excitement over breaking my own sacred rule.

Rolling over to feel Annalise’s warm, sleeping form beside me, I’m startled to realize that the covers on the other side of the bed are thrown back. Her pillow is cool to the touch. Where the fuck is the woman who just bewitched me so?

I sit up, stretching my muscles and feeling the soreness from how hard I fucked her last night. Or was that this morning? I can’t remember. The night and morning blend into a lust-filled haze. The sheets tangle around my legs. As I sweep them aside, they still hold the scent of her intoxicating perfume.

With a groan, I roll out of bed. I’m usually not this groggy. I pad across the hardwood floor to the kitchen and fire up my state-of-the-art espresso machine.

As the rich aroma of freshly ground beans fills the air, I hear soft footsteps approaching. My chest tightens just before I see Annalise entering the room. She’s wearing nothing but my rumpled button-up shirt from the day before.

God damn. Looking that sinfully sweet should be illegal. I’ll admit to a bit of relief that Annalise actually stayed here last night.

I thought she had slipped away with first rays of dawn.

My cock stirs at the sight of her. A possessive feeling I can't quite shake fills my chest. But I have no right to be possessive.

It’s not as if we are an item or anything.

"Morning." She greets me with a coy smile. Her hazel eyes sparkle with knowledge.

“Morning. I thought you’d left. How did you sleep?"

"Best sleep I've had in ages," she says. She’s too pert as she takes a sip of her coffee and lets out a satisfied sigh. "Oh, this is magic in a cup right here."

"Would you expect anything less?" I ask with a smirk. We stand for several long beats, sipping our coffee and enjoying each other's company in the sunlit kitchen.

Annalise shakes her head. She toys with a strand of her hair, curling it around her finger. "About last night…" she starts.

My heart sinks. Is Annalise about to tell me that we’re making a mistake? Or maybe that it should never happen again? I brace myself.

"Yeah?" I prompt.

"Thank you," she says softly. She moves closer, her eyes meeting mine. "Last time that we had sex, I was wrapped up in the fact that it was my first time. But last night was different. I really… got to feel cherished, I guess."

Her admission makes the back of my neck flush with heat. "It was perfect. You were…” I pause, searching for the right word. “Amazing, actually.”

Annalise smiles, fully dazzling me. Only a fool wouldn’t smile back.

"You think I could have another lesson sometime?" I can tell that she’s teasing me. Her gaze drops to my pajamas. My half-hard cock stirs underneath the pesky layer of clothing I’m wearing.

"You have so much more to learn, Kitten." My voice is thick with desire as I pull her closer. We might not be an item. Hell, we both have our reasons for not wanting a relationship. But there's no denying the electric connection between us.

And I'm not ready to let go of Annalise just yet.

I kiss her. She deepens the kiss, her tongue sliding against mine. She makes this soft, hungry sound just at the base of her throat. Almost a growl, louder than a purr.

I will fucking kill to hear that sound pulled from her chest again. But soon, she eases back, kissing the corner of my mouth. “It would be a sin to let this coffee go cold.”

I grip my mug, nodding. But inside my chest is a ravenous tiger clawing and gnawing its way out. Being civilized for the sake of Annalise takes all the strength I have left.

Annalise adds some cream from the fridge to her coffee. I didn't even know I had cream in there. Cream must be something that the housekeeper stocks.

We lounge in my living room. Annalise gawks at the view for a minute and then settles into my deep, sumptuous couch. Our legs entwine on the plush sofa. We make small talk, bantering while we sip our coffee. The conversation flows so easily with Annalise.

Why is that? What makes her different from the countless women that came before her? I honestly can’t name a single thing, but I know the answer is almost everything.

“I wanted to mention something,” I announce nonchalantly. “I’m going to participate in a poker tournament next weekend.”

I balance my cup of coffee on the back of the couch as I look at her.

Annalise whips her head around to look at me. “I would think after causing my father to have a stroke, you’d be less enthusiastic about going to another poker event.”

“Well…” I wince. “It’s a longstanding commitment. My brothers and I always go every year. My parents will likely be there, too.”

“Ah.” She puts her elbow on the back of the couch and leans her head on her hand. “Why are you telling me?”

“Just making conversation.” I school my face. “And I was wondering if your father getting sick at a poker tournament means that it would be crass for me to invite you to watch. If you need a business reason to come, it would be a master-level lesson in detecting deceit.”

She balls up her mouth and releases a sigh.

“My dad always talked a big game about how the best CEOs are poker players at heart.”

“Your dad was right. Learning to bluff, looking for other people’s tells, wagering just what you have to and not a penny more… There is a lot to be learned from watching people play cards.”

Annalise looks off into the distance for a few moments before waving a hand. “If you think I should be there, I will be.”

Not the enthusiastic yes I was looking for, but I’ll take it.

"I’ll make sure you’re on the list," I say smoothly. But deep down, unease begins to coil in my chest. My brothers will all be at the poker tournament. “Be forewarned, though. My family will be at the tournament.”

The idea of introducing Annalise to James and Grant makes me tense. But she already met Cash. And he did try to make a play for her. If she’s still interested in the event knowing that Cash will be there, she might be tougher than she looks.

"It’s a deal.” Annalise puts her hand out for me to shake. I take it, just because touching her is always preferable to not touching her.

“Just try not to swoon when I win everyone’s money,” I tease.

"You’re so full of yourself," she rolls her eyes playfully. "I don’t see how your massive ego doesn’t get in the way of your poker game."

“And yet…” I wave a hand to indicate myself.

“You’re the worst.” She laughs as she takes a sip.

“I think you’re confusing me with the best.” I settle a casual hand on her knee and enjoy how she blushes.

A surge of possessiveness rushes through me as I study the curve of her knees and the delicate arch of her neck. She's a vision. Truly stunning.

"Your parents... do they know about your penchant for poker?" she asks, her voice soft and teasing. She turns to face me, sunlight glinting off her curls. It makes her look like a fucking angel.

"Hardly," I scoff, taking a sip of my coffee. "They disapprove of almost everything I do. As far as I’m concerned, the less they know, the better."

"Should you invite the girl you’re sleeping with to your very important poker tournament?" Her eyes hold genuine curiosity, underpinned by concern.

“Who said you were just the girl I’m sleeping with? Maybe you’re the girl I’m interested in. Besides, I don't care what anyone thinks. I want you there with me."

"Even though we're not… an item?" she asks. She drops her gaze and looks away. I can’t miss the hint of vulnerability in her voice.

I want to soothe that ache. I pull her against my chest and inhale her intoxicating scent. "Especially because we're not an item," I reply.

To my surprise, she doesn’t push me on that front. Instead, she sips her coffee. Silence grows between us, but it doesn’t feel awkward.

Annalise pushes back slightly, tilting her head as if considering something. "Nate, you play the stock market and win millions, right?"

“Yes.” I narrow my eyes, trying to understand where she’s going with this. "Why do you ask?”

Annalise’s tone is casual.

"I’m just curious. I did some research on you. There are quite a few articles mentioning your prowess at the stock market." Her gaze is direct and unapologetic.

"So you've been stalking me online?" I joke. Really, I’m trying to mask my surprise.

"I spent a whole day researching you online," she fires back. "Right after we met. I decided I needed to know everything that there is to know about you. Now, are you going to answer my question?"

I think over my answer for a few beats. "Playing the market is all about strategy and timing. You need to know when to buy, when to sell, and be ready to take risks. I am as excellent at the stock market as I am at poker."

"Interesting," she muses, pursing her lips. “Give me a tip so that I know that you walk the walk instead of just talking the talk.”

“Psh. You just want to make a little money.”

Annalise licks her lips and then smiles wanly. “Okay. Say you’re right. Tell me the next stock you’re going to make millions off of.”

"All right," I say. "I'm about to short a stock on the brink of collapse. It trades under IVZE. It's risky, but the potential rewards are immense."

Annalise's eyes widen. "Tell me more," she demands, her voice low and sultry.

I find her boldness nothing short of charming. "It's a tech company. Inflated valuations have propped them up, but their product is little more than vaporware. When the truth comes out, their shares will plummet. Those who bet against them will make a fortune."

"Sounds exhilarating," she says. Her luscious lips curve into a wicked grin. "I'm in."

“Great.” I draw her closer and kiss her. She tastes like coffee and cream and luxury. "We can discuss the details later…."

Annalise interrupts me by capturing my lips in a searing kiss. Her hands tangle in my hair. I suck in a breath. God, I can’t get enough of her. She’s driving me out of my mind.

She pulls me closer as she straddles my lap. The feel of her body pressed against mine sends a shiver down my spine, erasing any lingering doubts about giving her advice.