Page 41 of Spin the Damn Bottle

I fumble to agree, barely managing to get a "yes” out.

“Grand. If you’ll excuse me.” Carlos touches Jace’s arm and turns to me. “It was very nice to meet you.”

“Yeah, nice,” I echo.

"Keep me updated in two weeks, yeah?"

I nod and he flees toward other guests.

I watch him retreat, my excitement tempered with a fair dose of shame.

I would never have been here without Jason. Carlos wouldn't have bothered to look at any of my finished art, let alone rough sketches.

This world is about who you know. Having talent isn’t enough.

I know one thing, though.

Jason Alden did all of this for no other reason than to please me.

He's full of contradictions, chief among them his tendency to completely ignore my desires and, moments later, worship me like a queen. A relationship with him is a constant rollercoaster of emotions, but like a little kid just done with a terrifying ride, I can't help but jump right back in line for another turn.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Not every piece of art is as enticing as Sylvan Doyles' by a long shot. Some are quite soulless, verging on boring.

Knowing that Carlos was happy to display mine after a quick glance at sketches through a text, simply because Jason Alden had sent the message, I'm not surprised. When you value the who more than the what, you're bound to end up with some lackluster products.

We eventually finish our tour, and Jace has plenty of trendy, fashionable buyers and well-known names in the industry to introduce to me, but by the time I start to grow bored, he leans in close, his breath hot on my skin. “Do you want to get out of here?”

“Let's."

We schmooze some more on our way out, but within less than half an hour, we're back on the cold New York streets. There are far fewer members of the press gathered outside now, but the dozen left are as fascinated with Jason as before. If I was under any delusion that he's someone normal, they'd have stripped me of them.

David comes to save us in the burgundy town car, appearing mere seconds after we come out of the new gallery. By the time we've made our way back through the red carpet, he's opened the passenger door, and we slide inside.

"This beats public transport," I admit. "Though I can't imagine how much you pay him for a job that mostly consists of driving ten minutes per day."

I'll never understand the elite.

"It doesn't matter how much we pay him," Jason says, haughty as ever.

I can't believe this guy. He must realize how ridiculous he sounds, sometimes. "Do you have golden toilet in your private jet? I feel like you would."

"So judgmental." Jason lifts my knuckles to his lips and kisses them. "I didn't use to have a driver. Rowan has one, and that's enough for the four of us.David used to work security for my father, and got hurt in the line of duty. We offered a generous package but he didn't want to retire, so Dad sent him to me. A job standing all day and following him around wasn't suitable anymore. It doesn't matter how much we're paying him because the point is taking care of a loyal employee."

I eye him suspiciously. "Did you just make that up to make me feel bad?"

His smile shows all of his white teeth, and his steel eyes flash with something playfully wicked. "You think so little of me? Tut, tut. What will you give me if I'm telling the truth?"

By his tone alone, I'm one hundred percent certain every word was a fact. Jason isn't the sort to make bets he might lose. Still, I want to play. "I'm game."

He pretends to think it through. "If I didn't mislead you, you'll come to play with me at Midnight. If I did…hm." He tilts his head. "What could you possibly want from me?"

Nothing I'm not already getting. Instead of searching for a desire he's not already fulfilling, I choose something I know will drive him insane. "You let me take control. I'll bind your hands behind your back and do whatever I want to you."

I actually love the way he leads us in bed, butrelinquishing control isn't something a guy like him can easily do.

Not that it matters. I'm going to lose. And I don't mind one bit.