My Uber pulls up in front of the building.
“Could you change the address?” I ask when I slide in with all my bags.
“Sure, ma’am, where to?”
“The Holder Building, please.”
The massive tower with its intricate 1930s stonework is heavy and dark across from Central Park. The building’s doorman opens the door and waves me inside.
“Ms. Lockwood. Mr. Richmond is expecting you.”
“He… What?”
The elevator doors slam shut, whisking me up to the penthouse.
The penthouse door is unlocked. My hand lingers on the handle.
Maybe I should just drop the cookies and run. I’ll leave him a note. Tell him the deal’s off. I want my money and my self-respect back.
The door is wrenched open as I’m digging in my bag for my notepad and a pen.
Graham stands there, a shadow in the doorway.
“I don’t want to see you,” I blurt out.
“Then why are you here?” he snarls.
“I brought you cookies. They’re shaped like penises. Kraig thought it was funny.”
His mouth flattens imperceptibly.
He backs me up. My back hits the elevator.
“I told you not to fuck with me.”
“You didn’t respond to my text.”
“The text counts as trying to fuck with me, Dani.” He leans down. His teeth flash.
“You can’t leave people on read.”
“Seems I didn’t have to respond. You came over here on your own anyway. I knew you would.”
“No, you didn’t. I’m not that predictable. You just hoped I would.” I swallow. “You’re pissed I gave Kraig cookies. You’re jealous of your stepbrother. Admit it.”
“Fuck you.”
“Admit it,” I say.
His hand comes up to my neck, just light pressure, so I feel my heartbeat thump,Danger, danger.
“Piper thinks I should have sex with him,” I tell Graham, baiting him.
His green eyes narrow. His nostrils flare.
“And says he’s more my league.” The words come out in a rush as he moves in closer to me, the weight of his body crushing me against the elevator. His mouth is so close to mine.
I don’t even care if he kisses me, though. I’m so annoyed at him. Angry that I’m so inexperienced and useless that I just let him play games with me.
