Billionaire Bad Boy(46)

"Um, not-"

"She's got a few bruises," Zack said. "Cuts, that sort of thing. Lucky she knows people in the right places or she'd still be in a cell."

"No shit," said the original speaker. He was mid-twenties with hair that needed a cut and clothes needing an iron. His attention was completely focussed on Annie. It was unnerving but she stood her ground. He was the perfect candidate to try her flirting technique on. Problem was, she really didn't want to. She felt drained, emotionally exhausted. She sighed and grabbed another champagne from a passing waiter to give her strength.




 

 

"That's so cool," he said again, inching closer. "So what do you do, Annie?"

"Agent. Music industry."

His eyebrows nearly flew off his forehead. "Really! What a coincidence, I'm a musician."

Her gaze flicked to Zack but he was brooding and she doubted she could rely on his help to extricate her.

The musician, Rick, launched into a well-rehearsed spiel-which he probably saved for just such occasions-about how he'd got started and how he was "gonna make it big". If only he had the right agent.

It took a Herculean effort for Annie not to roll her eyes. After what seemed like hours, she glanced in Zack's direction. She and Rick had somehow parted from the others-probably because every step he took toward her, she took one back-and they now stood out of ear shot. But Zack didn't notice her pleading looks. He was deep in conversation with a woman Annie recognized. Melanie, the watermelon br**sts from the bar. She bit her lip and tried not to look their way again, but her curiosity nearly killed her.

"Say," Rick said, trapping her against the buffet, "how about we go outside. It's cooler." His mouth was very close to her ear. He stank of soda pop and wacky tobacky.

What the heck. If Zack was too interested in Melanie and her watermelons to care who Annie spoke to then she might as well continue with the flirting. Not that she'd done much-Rick needed no encouragement.

He took her by the hand and led her through the lounge to the large double doors that led to a courtyard and pool beyond. As they passed Zack and Melanie, Zack caught Annie's arm.

"Where are you going?" he asked, voice rumbling somewhere in the depths of his chest. He seemed annoyed, but that could have been Annie's hopeful imagination playing tricks since he was wearing his expressionless expression.

"Outside." She sniffed. "That okay with you?"

He let go of her and turned back to Melanie who'd been appraising Annie with raised brows and a sneer on her bee-stung lips. Annie gave her a wink as if to say I know something you don't, but she wasn't sure if she got the message across. She probably just looked like she had something in her eye.

Outside, the air was warm and the smell of rain lingered deliciously close. Burning torches lit up the pool and the surrounding tropical plants gave the garden a manufactured resort atmosphere. Most guests had ventured outside into the warm night. Annie recognized many of them from TV shows or rock videos. Some of these people should be her clients. Probably she should know their names. Her father would have. He'd have made it his job to know their likes and dislikes, where they lived, what they did in their spare time and the name of their pet ferret. 

"So, Annie," said Rick, leaning close, "you should come see my band play."

Her initial reaction was to lean back, but remembering her original agenda, she touched him on the sleeve. He smiled. "Sure," she murmured in what she hoped was a seductive voice. "When?"

"Tonight." He placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned close to her ear. "Afterwards, we can go somewhere quiet," he whispered. "Be alone."

Ooops. Maybe she should lay off the flirting before things got out of hand.

A tinkle of laughter floated on the breeze. She glanced up and saw Zack with his arm around a giggling Melanie. He was hugging her to his chest, her br**sts squished against him, and they were laughing at something. Probably Annie. Just then, Zack's face half turned towards her, and she thought she saw a flicker of turmoil in his eyes. But maybe she just imagined it since he was too far away for her to see his eyes and she really, really wanted him to be jealous.

But then he was laughing again, caressing Melanie's bare arm. A sick sensation squelched Annie's stomach and the desire to throw up was overwhelming. Maybe it was just the champagne.

Maybe she was jealous.

"Hey," Rick said. "You listening to me?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, sure." She lay a hand on his chest. Two can play at this game. "Um, Rick?"

"Yeah?"

"Would you mind kissing me?"

He grinned. "Don't mind if I do." He placed a hand on either side of Annie's face and leaned close, taking his time.