Page 48 of How to Play the Player

Quinn’s office

Quinn

“Holy shit balls, you guys did what?” Lyla’s voice rises an octave, her eyes wide as she perches on the edge of my desk. “And then you just walked away?”

I can’t help the small smile that tugs at my lips despite my conflicted feelings. “I have to admit, the look on his face was priceless.”

“No doubt.” Lyla shakes her head in disbelief. “So he backed you against the rose trellis, kissed you senseless, gave you an orgasm, and then you just…left him hanging? Girl, you are way stronger than me. I wouldn’t have stood a chance if it was as intense as you say it was.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks at her blunt summary. “That’s the general idea, yeah.”

She leans closer, lowering her voice even though we’re alone in my office. “Sweet pea, you are playing with fire. You know that, right?”

I straighten the papers on my desk, avoiding her knowing gaze. “I told you I was going to make him break first.”

“And he almost did. Why did you stop him?”

“Because I realized that if we continued, I’d lose the bet too.” And the last thing I am going to do is let him take me down with him.

“There’s making him break, and then there’s…” She gestures vaguely. “Whatever that was. Nuclear warfare, maybe?”

“It wasn’t that dramatic,” I protest even though the memory of Nathan’s hands on me, his mouth on my neck, makes me shiver.

“I’d like to see you try to tell him that.” She shakes her head with an amused smile.

“It was the strategic thing to do.”

Lyla gives me a look that says she doesn’t believe me for a second. “Strategy implies you were thinking clearly. Were you?”

“I was…” I pause, searching for the right words. “Until I wasn’t. But I stopped it before things went too far.”

“And how did Nathan react when you pulled away?”

I remember the look of disbelief in his eyes, quickly followed by realization, then replaced by frustration. Damn right I played the player. But there was something else in his eyes yesterday, something that looked dangerously close to determination.

“He was surprised. Angry. Said it wasn’t over between us.”

“Of course, he did.” Lyla sighs, examining her nails casually. “So what’s your plan for today’s meeting? Round two of torturing the poor man? Because he’ll be here in”—she checks her watch—“twenty minutes.”

The faster the time approaches, the bigger the flutter of nervous anticipation grows in my stomach.

I tried this morning to distract myself by scrolling through social media. During my inspection, I saw Jonathan and Kiera’s engagement announcement had been released as planned. From the looks of it, the post had been generating positive buzz on social media. It was a relief to know there was one less thing to worry about.

I realize then the can of worms I’d just released. He will try to get back at me now. I mean, it’d only be fair for him to want to even the score. I may have been lucky that time and escaped, but I don’t know if I could walk away again if there is a next time.

When?

“Today we focus on work,” I say with more assurance than I feel.

“Mmhmm.” Lyla’s skepticism couldn’t be more obvious. “Because you two have such excellent self-control around each other.”

“I mean it, Lyla.” I stand, smoothing my pink blouse with slightly trembling hands. “Yesterday was about proving a point. Today is about Jonathan and Kiera’s wedding plans. Professional boundaries all the way. It’s why I’ve dressed down.”

“And if he brings it up? You can’t exactly pretend amnesia.”

“He won’t. Men never want to bring up a moment when they were embarrassed. Nathan is no exception.” I’m almost certain of this. Nathan’s pride wouldn’t dare. “If he’s going to pretend nothing happened, so will I.”

Lyla studies me for a long moment, her expression softening. “Just be careful, Quinn.”

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