Page 44 of How to Play the Player

“There’s never rest for the wicked, little one.”

His nickname for me, something I haven’t heard since we were together, catches me by surprise. Instinctively, I want to believe it was a slip of the tongue. But my skepticism and cynicism keep me back in reality. For the duration of the bet, I should expect nothing that he does or says to me will be genuine. It will all be in the name of winning, in the name of getting what he wants.

This should be obvious, yet why does that make me sad?

“Perfect!” Sam exclaims, camera clicking rapidly. “Hold that tension. That’s exactly the look I want to capture.”

The irony isn’t lost on me that trying to capture this “tension” is exacerbating our sexual tension. Nathan’s fingers flex slightly against my waist, drawing me imperceptibly closer.

“Amazing chemistry,” Sam comments, oblivious to the storm he’s creating between us. Oblivious to our complicated history. “Are you two together? You look like you’d make a great couple.”

“No,” Nathan answers, his voice rougher than usual. “We’re just…colleagues.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Sam murmurs, focusing on his viewfinder. “One more setup—Quinn, turn your back to hischest again, and Nathan, wrap your arms around her waist from behind.”

I follow the instructions, hyperaware of every point where our bodies connect. Nathan’s arms encircle me, strong and secure, in a hold so familiar it makes my heart ache despite my determination to remain in control.

“About last night,” he says quietly, his lips close to my ear while Sam adjusts his equipment. “What happened—or almost did—wasn’t part of our agreement.”

“I didn’t know we had rules about dancing,” I murmur, my voice for his ears only.

“You know that’s not what I mean.” His fingers press more firmly against my waist. Whether in warning or need, I can’t be sure.

“Do I?” I challenge softly, tilting my face toward his for the camera while keeping my voice low. “Why don’t you tell me exactly what you mean, Nathan. Be straight with me for once.”

His eyes darken yet again as they drop briefly to my body, up to my lips, and then return to meet my stare. His gaze makes the heat I feel already over my body so much worse. “I’m not backing down. And that sexy outfit of yours won’t stop me.”

“Beautiful!” Sam calls out, completely misinterpreting the tension between us.

“Is that what you want?” I ask Nathan with a sultry tone in my voice, ignoring Sam’s continued direction. “Let me assure you, the feeling is mutual.”

A gamut of emotions flashes across his face too quickly to name. His pupils are dilated, his breathing shallow, but his posture remains rigid, as if he’s physically restraining himself.

“What I want isn’t any of your concern.”

“You sure about that? Because I think it is.” I reach up, straightening his collar in a gesture that looks innocent for thecamera but feels deliberately intimate between us. “I think what we want is exactly what matters here.”

Sam lowers his camera, satisfied with the test shots. “These are perfect. With this lighting, the actual engagement photos will be stunning. Thanks for standing in, y’all.”

“Happy to help,” I reply automatically, not taking my eyes from Nathan’s.

“I’m going to set up at the rose garden and wait for Jonathan and Kiera,” Sam continues, already backing away. “Lyla, can you show me that fountain you mentioned? I think it could work for some of the formal shots.”

“Of course,” Lyla agrees, shooting me a meaningful look before following Sam down the path, leaving Nathan and me alone once again.

His breathing shifts, becoming shallower. He looks almost flush. “Don’t do something you’ll regret, Quinn.”

“I doubt being honest will be something I regret,” I reply, not removing my hand from his collar. “Something we haven’t been very good at, have we?”

“You ought to know. So what’s the honest truth?” he asks, his gaze intense enough to burn.

My pulse races in my throat, each heartbeat a thundering reminder of his effect on me. But I stay strong and step closer to him.

“The truth is that I never betrayed you,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “The truth is that you chose to believe the worst of me without giving me a chance to clear my name. The truth is that despite everything, despite how much you hurt me, I still can’t stop thinking about you.”

Time to play dirty.

His eyes zero in on me even more. His gaze is all over the place until finally landing on my lips again. I feel his breath onmy skin, my body responding to his proximity despite all my resolve.

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