Charade (Swept Away, #1.5)(14)
“Why don’t you, then?” I looked at his stubborn jaw and wondered if David Bradley was going to prove me wrong. Maybe he wasn’t the spoiled rich boy I’d assumed he was. Maybe he had a backbone—maybe he’d even be an ally in my investigation.
“Are you joking?” He grinned. “I’d be piss-poor without my family money. Mattias got the brains and, well, I was never much good in school.” He shrugged. “Plus, we wouldn’t be eating at Del Frisco’s tonight if I didn’t have my AmEx Black.” His perfectly even teeth sparkled at me as he sat back and ran his hands through his perfectly coiffed hair. “I’d never have met you if I wasn’t a Bradley.”
“That’s true.” I nodded and sipped my water. I’d never have had any reason to bump into him if he wasn’t a Bradley. I gave him a half-hearted smile and put my game face on. I was disappointed that he hadn’t turned out to be a better guy than I’d thought he was. He seemed to delight in living off his family’s money and not doing anything.
“So we’ll eat, then go and watch the show, and then back to my place.” He suddenly started laughing. “You know what I just realized?”
“No, what’s that?”
“We’re going to be getting our pound of flesh in more ways than one tonight.”
He grinned at me and I stared back at him with a small smile on my face. I knew he was grinning at his clumsy innuendo. If he thought he was getting sex from me, he was well and truly on his way to disappointment.
“You know,” he went on, “we’re eating steak, which is flesh, and then in the play, Shylock wants his pound of flesh from Antonio. And then tonight, who knows . . . ?” He licked his lips and I had to bite my lower lip to ensure I didn’t say something sarcastic. He really was quite cocky. Did he think women enjoyed his crass innuendos? I guessed no one had ever said anything to him because he was so handsome and rich. I tried to stop staring at his lush pink lips as I sat there, feeling in over my head.
“Yes, it’s quite fitting, isn’t it?” And it was true—I wanted my pound of flesh from the Bradley family, just not in the way David was hoping for.
*
“Are you sure you don’t want a beer or a glass of wine?” David sat down next to me on his black leather couch. He had a beer in his hand and I shook my head.
“No, thanks. I have to do some work tomorrow, so I can’t stay long.”
“Aww,” he sighed. “That sucks.”
“We still have an hour, though.” I leaned back into the couch and yawned. “If I can stay awake, that is.”
“I know what can keep you awake.” He put his arm around my shoulder and I froze.
“So, do you have any photos of your family?” I wanted to slap myself for sounding so obvious. “Like photos of you as a kid?” I leaned back into his arm and turned toward him. “I’d love to learn more about you.”
“Eh, I’m sure there are some somewhere. I don’t have any.”
“That’s sad. Aren’t you close to your brother then?”
“Mattias?” His eyes narrowed and he studied my face. “Why do you ask?”
“I was just curious after what you said at dinner. It seemed like you were upset that he doesn’t let you do more at your family business.”
“I wasn’t upset.” He shook his head and moved in closer to me and I felt his lips nuzzling my neck. “Your skin tastes so sweet.”
“I bet you say that to all the girls,” I mumbled, trying to ignore the warm flow of excitement that his kiss was bringing my body.
“What have you heard?” He licked up my neck and chuckled as I tried to ignore the feeling that I was pimping myself out. I didn’t want to acknowledge to myself that I was also enjoying the moment.
“Not much.” I closed my eyes as I felt his teeth on my earlobe, nibbling gently. “I’d love to get to know you better.”
“I’d like to get to know you better as well.” His tongue delved into my ear and his breath tickled me. “Maybe we can spill something on each other and disrobe.” His hands reached around my waist and his fingers made their way up my body.
“David.” I pulled away from him and grabbed his hands. “I really like you, but I need you to know that I’m a girl that goes slow. I hope that doesn’t disappoint you, but you’re moving a bit fast for me.”
“You’re blowing me off?” He looked shocked as he stared into my eyes.
“I’m not blowing you off, I’m just letting you know that I’m not the sort of girl that makes out with a guy on the first night.”
“So you’re telling me you don’t want my hands on you, huh?” He looked disappointed.
“I don’t mind holding hands, but that’s about it for now.”
“I guess you don’t want to stay over then?” He jumped up off the couch and I could tell he was a bit pissed off. “I thought we could go to breakfast with my brother in the morning.”
“You’re meeting Mattias for breakfast in the morning?” I knew my voice sounded too excited, but I couldn’t stop myself. I was fast realizing that David was going to be useless for information. I’d have to use him as a gateway to Mattias. Mattias was the one who would have the access to the information I needed. The only problem was if Mattias knew what his father, Jeremiah, had done. David had said that Mattias was close to their father and he had been groomed for the role of CEO. If Mattias knew that his father had done something shady, he wouldn’t want me snooping around. I’d have to make sure to keep my cards to myself. If I gained an in as David’s girlfriend, it would seem a lot less suspicious.