Page 41 of Play for Power (Central Sparks #3)

There was just silence, and there was her.

Everything began to feel so right, it scared the shit out of me.

So, I had reluctantly disentangled my body from hers, leaving a note so she didn’t feel like I had run away, just simply abiding by her no-sleepover rule.

Because I realized, if I didn’t think she’d run for the hills when she awoke, I would have stayed, and I would have held her until the sun rose.

And though she said no to being my date to the gala, I had every intention of getting her home with me. The only girl I wanted on my arm tonight…and apparently every other night, was sitting at a back table, looking like a goddamn meal covered in black lace and silk.

“Great timing. I got you a drink, they’re about to do the awards and the promotion announcement.

Did Chris give you any inkling of who he was going to select?

” Noah says as I take my seat, reluctantly pulling my gaze from Rosie.

I let my phone rest discreetly on my thigh with the app open, ready for the games to begin.

“Nah, but it’s Rosie. There is no way she doesn’t get it. Her resumé alone is a winner without adding on everything else.”

“Everything else?” Addison asks with genuine curiosity from her seat between Noah and Matt. I avert my eyes, watching Chris take the stage.

I raise a hand to tick off the items. “She’s strong, confident, good with people, determined, a glorified workhorse, and obviously she’s beautiful.” I flick my hand as I mumble the end.

Noah’s head snaps in my direction, a confused but jovial expression across his face as Addison tilts her head at me.

Neither of them has a chance to say anything in response because Chris garners everyone’s attention, a low applause welcoming him to the stage and we all settle into silence and listen.

Chris goes through the usual rigmarole. Grease the wheels of the cart that got you here and all that.

Listing the big investors that made tonight possible, the charity selected being one for men’s mental health—I believe Noah assisted in the selection—and how to go about placing donations throughout the night.

There are a few shout-outs to longtime authors who have been with the two merging publishing houses for decades, as well as a large thank-you to our firm for assisting with more than just the branding and contributing to the growth of their new company as one.

There is applause and other thank-yous before Chris announces some in-company awards.

“As a company, we like to award excellence and to encourage those coming up through the ranks or perhaps only just beginning their path in publishing, to strive for greatness.” I have to hide the way my eyes roll to the back of my head as Chris drones on and on.

Noah and I had already discussed previously that this whole thing was ridiculous and pretentious.

Seriously, who the hell has a gala for a rebrand and to announce an internal company promotion?

Old dudes with something to prove and nothing better to do, Noah had said.

I turn to him now and whisper, “Hey, where the hell are our company awards? My trophy shelf is empty.” Noah chuckles under his breath, shaking his head and ignoring my question completely. I tune back into Chris.

“So, it is with an unsurprising, and by a unanimous vote by both the Andersen Schulz and Meyers companies, that this year’s award for employee of the year, the young editor to watch, and the new editor in chief of our brand-new romance only imprint?—”

“Holy shit,” I whisper, sitting up straighter, searching for Rosie, locking onto her stunned and anxious look, hands squeezed between Halle and Jasper as they stare up at Chris, their attention unwavering. I focus on Chris again.

“Is our very own…” Cue pause for dramatics and my heart beating like a drum roll .

“ Rosie Garcia.” The crowd applauds as the cover on the overhead banner drops away, showing a photo of a smirking Rosie from her company headshots.

Our table erupts in cheers, as do a few other select tables.

I think I hear a light sob from Addison, but my eyes can’t do anything except search for Rosie.

Among the standing ovation it’s hard to find her as she makes her way to the stage, but when she does, it’s her smile I notice first. The real one.

Paired with a touch of wetness to her eyes.

I want to reach for my phone, to play with her while she’s up there, but the sheer look of joy and pride in her face feels far too important to mess with in this moment. I’d rather watch her glow.

Everyone takes their seats once more, the applause lingering as Chris hands her a glass teardrop award. She heads over to the podium and rests it on top, staring at it for a beat as she readjusts the mic to her height and lights up the room.

“Uh, hey? ” She chuckles lightly through a little sniffle before clearing her throat. Her unshakable confidence stark from where she holds her chin up high and her shoulders back. Warmth spreads in my chest, the smile on my face almost painful.

I’m so fucking proud of you, Rosebud.

“I don’t think I’m meant to do a speech, it’s not like this is the Oscars or anything.

” The crowd hums a low chuckle as everyone quietens down.

“Thank you, Chris and team, for having faith in me.” She looks in their direction for only a second before she scans across the entire room.

“For giving me the right challenges that enabled me to grow and prove to everyone that I earned this position.” She turns her attention to Chris, and if pride wasn’t already screaming from my chest, it would be now.

“This new imprint feels like it was my baby before it even came to fruition, and I’m so excited to lead a team of talented editors, designers, and publicists who will allow both the big and small voices in the romance industry to shine like never before.

It’s now my time to show the publishing world exactly who Rosie Garcia is.

” The smile that spreads across her face at the end of her speech is magnificent.

Full of determination and poise. So much pride in herself.

The crowd applauds and a few cheer as she takes the award and heads back for her table.

She weaves through the tables, ensuring she passes Chris, her shoulders never dropping as she reaches out to shake his hand before weaving her way past my table.

She smothers her bright smile when we lock eyes, I presume to keep up our rouse, but it’s impossible to hide the excitement that is exploding out of her.

She dramatically waves her trophy at Addison and heads for her seat.

I’d be lying if I said I knew what else happened for the rest of the presentation.

There were other speeches and announcements, but I was permanently distracted by the itch on my skin, the energy coursing through my veins like fucking crack.

I wanted to get my hands on Rosie, and I was physically unable to do anything to relax.

Every now and then I’d drag my finger across the screen of my phone, except I had to play it cool, so I wasn’t always able to watch her reactions.

When I could glimpse her over my shoulder, I’d see her own shoulders tense, or she’d fall forward subtly, a hand coming up to cover her mouth as her eyes narrowed in concentration.

For a moment, when I had increased the intensity to almost the peak and let it sit there for a few breaths, she leaned back in her chair, her head falling slowly back, and her lips had parted.

Though her eyes had scrunched closed for a moment, the second I released my finger from the trigger, she slumped forward, downed her wine, and continued on with her conversations like nothing had happened. Not ever letting her eyes find mine.

Not. Once.

“Are you hanging around for a few drinks or finding a bed to play in?” Noah teases, and I hate the sour feeling in my stomach at his words.

I know he is poking fun, but I’m starting to hate that everyone assumes I’m just going to play with women.

This never used to bother me, it has never been an issue, but perhaps it’d be nice to have one woman to take home, the same woman each time.

And someone whose company I actually enjoy, someone… who makes me feel.

Noah leans back in his chair, his eyes reluctantly looking to me as he pulls them from Addison’s retreating form, from where she heads in Rosie’s direction.

I look around the room quickly, realizing the formalities are over.

“Oh, uh…” I hadn’t actually queued anything up with Rosie, but I know she is coming home with me.

I just have to work out how late she wants to stay and how to get her to come with me while our friends are still here.

“I think I’ll hang for a bit. Should we go congratulate the woman of the hour?

” I hedge, tilting my head in Rosie’s direction.

I know it’s not a declaration that I’m sleeping with her. It’s not abnormal for me to show an interest in Rosie’s award; we are friends, as far as anyone else is aware. Ethan and Lucas would do the same thing. So why am I sweating?

Thankfully Noah isn’t a mind reader, so he just bobs his head in acknowledgment. We grab our drinks and head for their table. Most people are standing around the tables now, moving about and mingling as Rosie glows from where she chats animatedly with Halle, Jasper, and Addison.

“Did you see his face?” Halle giggles, and I think she just pulled a lollipop out of her purse?

“I did!” Rosie screeches, grabbing onto Jasper’s arm as she basically bounces on her feet.

I subtly pull my phone from my pocket. “That was almost better than actually getting the promotion. His little whines, you could see the simmering anger. God, what I’d give to have Chris witness him tip over the edge.

” She sighs, almost wistful, and then I drag a finger across my screen.

“Ah!” She stumbles forward and Jasper catches her before she can fall. My chin hits my chest in an effort to hold in my laugh, and I can feel her eyes on me like a brand.

“Oh God, is everything okay?” Jasper asks, genuine concern in his voice at Rosie’s panting.

I finally let up on the vibration, and I hear her breathing even out as I continue to look at my shoes.

I know the second I make eye contact with her our secret will be up.

I won’t be able to hide the way my eyes are going to devour her.

In front of Halle and Jasper is no problem, but I know Rosie wants to keep the thing between us from Noah and Addison.

As much as it stings, I’d never force her into a situation that makes her uncomfortable.

So, if I’m going to hold on to our cover, I can’t make eye contact with her right now.

“I’m…fine. Just, you know…still taking it all in.

” A breathy laugh escapes her chest and I manage to raise my eyes, looking up at her through my lashes.

Her eyes are already on me, though they don’t stay there long.

The moment I lock onto those deep brown swirls of caramel and whiskey, she looks away, back to her friends, giving them placating smiles.

She can’t hide her blush from me, though.

An uncharacteristic heat that pinkens her cheeks; it’d be adorable if I didn’t know it was because she was horny and wet for me right now.

The knowledge of that almost takes me out at the knees.

Despite the animalistic need I’m sure we’re both feeling right now, I think I’d almost trade it for just a little moment out in the open with her.

To just kiss her right here, right now, congratulate her, and tell her how proud I am of her.

I’m trying my hardest to soak up the heat in her eyes and the fun in our games, but something similar to the regular hollowness that feels like it’s glued to my soul starts to itch its way across my chest. I reach a hand to the spot, absently rubbing away the weird burning sensation.

“Are we kicking on?” Halle asks, grabbing her purse and pulling me from my thoughts.

“Oh, please tell me we are partying somewhere better than this snooze fest.” Jasper tsks and we all offer some sort of agreement.

“What about Bozz?—”

“Um, sorry for the intrusion. Ms. Garcia, there is a gentleman at the door asking for you?” One of the venue staff pops her head into our little circle, a gentle bow at her hips as she addresses Rosie, who looks confused at the girl before something passes over her eyes, something like recognition but also…

no way, that is not fear in the eyes of Rosie Garcia.

I straighten, barely able to think better of it before almost taking a step closer. But Rosie pushes through in the way she does best, squaring her shoulders and securing her mask.

“A gentleman?” she asks softly.

“Yes, said his name is Antonio and that you’d be expecting him.”

“Oh shit,” Addison whispers, my head snaps in her direction. Her eyes are wide green saucers, her mouth open in surprise.

Antonio? Who the fuck is Antonio?

Wait…

“Is that your dad?” Halle whispers and points in the direction of the door, and without a doubt, that is the billionaire property mogul Antonio Garcia standing at the entrance, looking every bit the terrifying hard-ass I’ve heard him to be.

I only glance at him a moment before looking to Rosie. She looks at me, for longer than she ever normally would with our friends around us, her swallow visible as she tries to clear her throat. Something in my chest cracks open at the utter exhaustion written deep in her eyes.

All this time, when I saw this look in her eyes, like she was carrying a weight over her shoulders, burdened by something I had always assumed was a result of her working herself to the bone, to the point of maybe not sleeping or eating properly…

but with the way she anxiously avoids my stare and turns a resigned expression to the direction of her dad I realize, it wasn’t work, at all.

It was her dad.

“Uh, yeah. You guys go have fun. I forgot…there is somewhere I have to be.” She turns an apologetic smile to each of us.

When her eyes get to me, she almost takes a step forward.

I see her jaw tick, and I beg for her not to back down, but she does.

She shakes her head and turns, heading for the entrance.

Leaving me standing here, without her.

Again.