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Cons and games, lies and deceit

Those aren't just words to me, but a way of life

For years, I've tried to escape--to be other than ain I have failed

Maybe I haven't tried hard enough Maybe I didn't want to I like the rush, after all The challenge

I have ht I knew it all Thought I understood risk Thought I knew the definition of danger

Then I saw him

Raw and carnal, dark and dangerous

I didn't know risk until I er until I looked into his eyes Didn't comprehend passion until I felt his touch

I should have stayed away, but how could I when he was everything I craved? When I knew that he could fulfill my darkest fantasies?

I wanted him, plain and simple

And so I set out to play the ame of all

I stood in the e Gallery, my heels planted on the polished wood floor and the brilliant white walls of theme

Around led with hipsters as they buzzed fro to the next like bees around a flower Male waiters in sharply creased tuxes carried wine-topped trays with purpose, while their similarly attired female counterparts offered tasty morsels that were such works of art themselves it seemed a shame to eat them

Tonight's sparkling gala celebrated the opening of this newest addition to Chicago's well-known River North gallery district, and everyone as anyone was here And not just because of the art No, the crowd tonight had cole with the owners as to celebrate the opening

And why not? Tyler Sharp and Cole August were a with their friend and frequent business partner Evan Black, o stratosphere The fact that their power steitiy coolness

Not that the illegitie, but it did add a sort of mysterious sheen to these deliciously sexy men who made the press drool I knew the truth because I was best friends with Evan's fiancee, Angelina Raine, and that friendship had spread to include all the knights At least, that's what Angie and the knights believe In reality, I'd realized the guys weren't squeaky-clean entrepreneurs within a day ofthem

Like knows like, after all

For that matter, like attracts like At least, that's what I hoped Because although I truly did want to celebrate the opening, I'd really come here for one purpose, and one purpose only: to finally and coet him in my bed

Not that I was progressing like lightning toward that goal I'd co I never do--and after ninety , I'd spoken only fourteen words to Cole, and that was at the door as I'd entered I knew there were fourteen words, because I'd played the encounter--I wouldn't go so far as to call it a conversation--over and over in uess, as I ed in my own insipidness

"I'm so thrilled for you both"

"Thanks, Kat We're glad you could make it"

"Me, too Well, I'll let you le Later"

I shook my head at myself Honestly, if e, he would have disowneds close so that you can get what you want?

Planning and focus have always been second nature to rift, and I'd known the ins and outs of designing a long con even before I knew my multiplication tables

Tonight wasn't about a con, though Tonight was about me

And apparently that one little fact was enough to throw ame