Read Online Rules of the Game by Nora Roberts - Free Book Online

thumb stop its casual caress, then his fingers tightened. There was no change in his face. To prevent a quick gasp of pain, she swallowed the rest of her champagne. “So you direct commercials,” he said smoothly.
    â€œYes.” She tugged once to free her hand, but he only increased his grip.
    â€œFascinating.” Casually, he plucked the empty glass from her other hand. “Excuse us.” Brooke found herself being dragged through the crowd of jewels and silks. Immediately, she quickened her pace so that it appeared she was walking with him rather than being led.
    â€œLet go of me,” she hissed, giving a nodding smile to another director. “You’re breaking my hand.”
    â€œConsider it a preview of things to come.” Parks pulled her through the open French doors, hoping to find a quiet spot. There was a three-piece band in the garden playing soft, dancing music. At least a dozen couples were taking advantage of it. Parks swore, but before he could maneuver her through the garden to a more private spot, he heard someone call her name. Immediately, he dragged her into his arms.
    The hard contact with his chest stole her breath, the arm tight around her waist prevented her from finding any more. Ignoring the choking sound she made, Parks began to sway to the music. “Just wave to him,” he ordered against her ear. “I’m not about to be interrupted with small talk.”
    Wanting to breathe again, Brooke obeyed. She was already planning revenge. When his grip lessened slightly, she drew in a sharp breath of air, letting it out on a string of abuse. “You overgrown bully, don’t think you can drag me around just because you’re this year’s American hero. I’ll only take it once, and I’ll only warn you once. Don’t you
ever
grab me again.” Brooke stomped hard on his foot and was rewarded by having her air cut off again.
    â€œYou dance beautifully, Ms. Gordon,” Parks whispered in her ear. He bit none too gently on the lobe. Between the fury and pain, Brooke felt a stir deep in her stomach. Oh, no, she thought, stiffening. Not again. The band switched to an uptempo number but he continued to hold her close and sway.
    â€œYou’re going to have a lot of explaining to do when I faint from lack of oxygen,” she managed. Who would have thought that lanky body would be so hard, or the limber arms so strong?
    â€œYou won’t faint,” he muttered, slowly maneuvering her toward the edge of the garden. “And you’re the one with the explaining to do.”
    She was released abruptly, but before Brooke could take a breath, he was pulling her through a clump of azalea. “Look, you jerk . . .” Then she was back inside, dazed by bright lights and laughter. Without pausing, Parks dragged her through the center patio and into the adjoining courtyard.
    There was no music here, except the liquid sound of the water falling into the grotto, and only a few couples more intent on themselves than on a man pulling a furious woman in his wake. Parks drew her close to the pool and into the shadows behind the high wall. Brooke was effectively sandwiched between him and the smooth rocks.
    â€œSo you like to play games,” he murmured.
    For the first time she was able to lift her face and stare into his. Her eyes glittered in the moonlight. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œNo?”
    She had expected him to be annoyed, but she hadn’t expected this smoldering fury. It was in his eyes, in the hard lines of his face, in the poised readiness of his body. When she felt her heart begin to thud uncomfortably, she became only more defensive. “You made all the moves,” she tossed out. “You
demanded
that I give you my name. You called
me
at six o’clock in the morning for a date. All I did was let Claire drag me to a ball game.”
    She made an attempt to push by