"Excuse me?"

I stared distrustfully at the big oaf. Cade was trying to intimidate me with his big arms and big eyes and big- well, let's just say everything about the man was big.

I lifted my chin and ignored his demand. He walked towards me slowly. I resisted the urge to run away from him like a little girl. He waited until he was looming over me to speak. His tone was accusatory.

"You are using me."

"What?"

"You want to make that guy jealous."

I laughed, trying to ignore the fact that I was alone with Cade. And that I was pretty sure he had locked the door. Or there were butterflies in my stomach at the thought of what might happen...

"No, I'm definitely not."

He was watching me carefully. He tilted his head to the side. I was reminded again that Cade might not be sophisticated, but he was not stupid.

Far from it.

He was much more perceptive than I might like. I just shook my head, hoping he would drop it. He didn't. The man was like a dog with a bone!

"You are using me as a shield then."

I nodded, sighing. That was true. He really wasn't as stupid as he looked. Not that he looked stupid precisely. But he didn't exactly look like he was doing any heavy mental lifting.

He was too busy lifting everything else.

"So you are using me."

He was standing close. Too close. I couldn't stop myself from coyly lifting my eyes to his and parting my lips.

"Do you mind?"

He growled and tried to yank me against him but I just laughed and danced away. I leaned against a sideboard and watched him over the edge of my glass. He was like a gorilla, angrily puffing his chest out to impress me.

"Camille…"

I wagged my finger at him.

"Behave yourself."

He cursed under his breath and ran his hand through his hair, messing it up. I had to admit, I liked him better that way. Tie loosened. Jacket open. Maybe undo a button or two of his clean, white shirt…

"That guy hurt you? You want me to rough him up?"

I opened my mouth in surprise. He was serious. He wanted to defend my honor.

That was… sweet. Chauvinisitic and ill mannered, but sweet.

A funny feeling settled in the pit of my belly. It was something almost tender. I didn't like it, so I pushed it away.

"No. But if you could discourage him with your presence that would be… very agreeable."

He grunted and nodded.

"Fine. What do I get out of it?"

I gave him a look of warning as he crossed the room to me. He pressed me up against the banquet I was leaning on. My voice was breathier than I would have liked when I answered him.

"A gentleman wouldn't ask that."

He nudged my thighs apart so I could feel his member. It was hard as a rock, pushing against me insistently.

"I'm no gentleman."

I fought for breath. I could not explain the effect that Cade had over me. I wanted him, there was no denying it.

But I didn't want to want him.

I pushed him away with my hands.

"Fine, Cade. What do you want? And don't say sex because I'm not for sale."

He didn't budge. He stayed right where he was. His body was so hot where it touched me it nearly burned.

"I won't have to ask you for sex. I'll let you ask me."

He slid his finger over my bottom lip.

"In fact, I'm pretty sure you'll be begging for it."

My mouth opened. I was tempted to slap him. But I needed him with me tonight dammit!

"You arrogant bastard! You're lucky I'm not in the mood to slap you. You're so thick headed I'm afraid I might hurt my hand."

He grinned, leaning into me even more. His chest was against mine and his enormous erection… I had to resist rubbing myself all over his hardness. It was extremely disconcerting. I was having an inner battle with myself, struggling to resist his vulgar advances.

From the smug look on his handsome face, he could tell exactly what I was feeling.

"Go ahead and slap me dollface. I'm sure I'll deserve it before the night is over."

I choked back an infuriated laugh. I decided to try a different tactic. I would laugh it off, as if dozens of men had rubbed themselves all over me on a daily basis. Which was… definitely not the case.

"Cade, enough silliness. If you don't want to help me just say so."

He stepped back suddenly.

"Of course, I will help you. If you agree to have dinner with me."

"Dinner? I thought we already tried that."

He growled at me, reaching for me again. I tilted my head back, certain he would kiss me. But he didn't. He just ran his thumb over my cheek and rested his hand on my shoulder.

"Dinner. Without your father."

"Just dinner? You won't make any other demands?"

I almost hoped he would, but I didn't tell him that. I knew I shouldn't tease the man but I was fascinated, constantly wondering what he would say or do next. I was playing with fire but for some reason I no longer seemed to care.

He seemed to relax and gave me a charming smile.

"Dinner and cards. Poker."

I narrowed my eyes at him. I had a feeling I knew what he was up to. He hadn't tried to hide what he was after. He just wanted a quick lay. As tempting as it was, that would not be conducive to a peaceable working arrangement.

Plus, when the fling was over, I'd be forced to see his smug face for the next few years at the stadium. He'd look at me, knowing he'd had me. Knowing he could probably have me again.

And not just at the stadium either. As long as he was a famous ball player I'd be dealing with the fallout. Knowing how talented he was, that would likely be a very long time. Maybe the rest of our lives. I shook my head. This was getting out of hand.

It was time to reel it in.

"Don't expect me to play for the same stakes as last time."

He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it, sending shivers all over my body. Then he placed my hand on his arm and covered it with his big, meaty paw. He leaned over to whisper in my ear as he led me back to the party.

"I wouldn't dream of it."