The Playboy's Heartbreaker's Game

the soft murmur of exclusive chatter. The Maddox Tower rooftop was lit like a dream- warm fairy lights strung overh

ke it existed solely for his amusement. Dressed in a charcoal suit tailored within an inch of perfection, he

his best friend and co-founder of MaddoxTec

n the skyline. "Always. Th

y that like you're not

I am. Same faces, same empty conversation. It's l

e shoulder. "And yet, y

uch

and socialites swirling in curated elegance. But for Cole, it all felt like white

hen she

na B

rald dress that flowed like water and contrasted against her warm bronze skin and dark curls. But it wasn't the dress or the body th

iar faces, pausing for a quick air-kiss from an older woman in diamonds. She di

ade her in

Cole asked, n

a Blake. Fashion's newest storm. Founder of Blake & Wilde. Ever

ows lifte

Twice. Doesn't

ok another sip. "I

at one? Not your usual type. She a

incredibly

he's not here to

cing his glass down. "It's been a

ibility, and she figured she could shake a few hands, make an appearance, then sneak out before midnight. These kind

versation with the editor of a fashion ma

aid a voice sm

le Maddox. Taller than she expected. Dangerous smirk i

with a polite smile. "

top after all. Feels wrong to b

No hesitation. No flirt

she said, gl

d them. "But I was hoping it would get more i

ed. Sienna just raised an eyebr

en I'm i

e, arching a brow. "You must b

e only enticing him furt

amused. "Let me guess-you're us

lly,

nough to meet his eyes without tilt

Then Cole lau

I said I was bored toni

've been bored y

uc

ad. "I see we're n

o charm their way through l

ou think I'm not

"I don't think

flirting. She w

esses, heiresses, even royalty-but none had

a drink?" he asked. "

him for a se

es," she s

tucked away from the crowd. The bartender brought

a MaddoxTech campaign?

f things that don't

t is you

pe. Meaning over trend." She sipped he

t interested i

terested in

er over the rim of his glass. "You eve

ul, Cole. I just didn't nee

t wall. Not defensive,

him want t

on the balcony with Lucas and a few others. He'd watched her leave without a backward glance,

lding his arms. "Admit

intri

he won't sleep with me on

ed. "She's

you should lea

e him. "What's tha

re for status or photos. She's building somethin

row. "Are you worri

ian- another friend in their circ

even get her to go

ed. "You w

re. Dinner. One-on-o

d. "Don't en

tended his

shook

ere Sienna had exited hours earlier, he fe

he certainly wasn't about to start now-not

he bar, still mentally replaying every word she'd said. Her calm detachment hadn't read as d

, he didn

back. "You look like you'

ked. "May

a company

with that familiar glint of chall

hy women think you're the

r. He was already

-

ng – MaddoxTec

f-the-art. Cole stood at the floor-to-ceiling window of his office, absently st

rd lunch at one, and your inter

the in

mid-note. "Ca

schedule. End

en jotted it down

Wilde. Public records. PR, financials, in

"You're trying

"No. I'm just

ut a warning out to HR or just notify her i

ither. This isn'

ebrow. "Then it's

the grin that crept onto

-

ooklyn, Sienna

tudio was her sanctuary-exposed brick, sunlight, fabric bolts in every hue. Soft indie music p

ing up from her tablet. "Apparently you shut down

l me whatever they want. I didn't c

hink he's obsessed with you no

on. And if he's truly obsessed, he'll g

oticed him-his intensity, the confidence, the way he seemed to be si

t was not

her momentum. Her brand was finally on the brink of global expansio

ag

af

hone

wn nu

, then opened

Mad

party guest" status last night. Lunch

at the screen,

up. "That your

he phone. "I

n't feel l

-

– Private Garde

ucked away in a Chelsea brownstone. By the time Sienna walked in- flawlessly casual in wide-l

said, sliding into th

he countered. "I

for the

nned.

d. About art, music, the absurdity of the influencer economy, the politics of f

he party, the b

wasn't trying to shut him down. They existed i

finishing her cup, "was

led, just

gleamed. "Yo

"But if it was... that's

all

something from me. A name, a check, a f

from her seat. "And that's exactl

oo. "What

used smile. "Then it's y

t, she walke

-

e's Office

le's couch, tossing a stress

e c

oked up.

poured himself another drink. "And

h mea

Lucas's chest. "It mea

going to fall for her.

glass halfway

dn't

-