Page 37 of Playing Pretend

“You didn’t have a problem talking about sex when you were in college.”

The heaviness of shame settles on my shoulders. He’s right. I didn’t have a problem. But I also hadn’t been aware how much of a disaster I was between the sheets. “That’s because you and Rett didn’t use it as a default topic for every conversation. Now it’s all you talk about.”

“That’s not true.”

“Let’s agree to disagree.” I palm my cocktail glass and guide the straw to my mouth.

“Piper…” Rome’s pause is filled with impatience. “I honestly believe that if this morning’s bathroom excitement happened years ago you would’ve laughed it off. It would’ve been something you’d pick up the phone to gossip with Rett over. Something you’d use to make fun of me for years to come. But emotionally, it wouldn’t have been a big deal.”

“I wouldn’t say it was abigdeal.” I sip, sip, sip, not stopping until there’s a gurgle from my empty glass. “Average maybe.”

He smirks. “Are you insulting my size? Because I’m more than happy for you to measure it for posterity. I’m no slouch in that department.”

My cheeks flame.Goddamnit.

“Don’t look away,” he says. “Hold my gaze. Show me you’re not daunted by a simple conversation about anatomy.”

I clench my jaw and force myself to comply, blinking back the burn.

He inclines his head, clearly impressed. “Good girl.”

Jesus Christ.

“Now, tell me, little Pip, did you get a chance to take a proper look? Or did shock make that impossible?”

How isn’t he embarrassed? “I saw enough to require counseling.”

He chuckles. “You wouldn’t be the first. The size has been known to trigger fight or flight.”

I should laugh. Humor is his aim after all. But all I can do is drown in recollection. All I see are the contours of his muscles and the way they flexed.

“Do you want to know what I was thinking when you walked in?” He leans forward, placing his elbows on the table, taunting me with the proximity. “What I was picturing you doing?”

Yes. I swallow. “No.”

“Are you sure?” His voice turns sultry. “You’re not the least bit curious what my fantasies conjured up for us?”

I’m more than curious. But I’m well aware indulging would only help him throw me more off-balance. “Aren’t you the least bit concerned that verbalizing the depth of your depravity might get you arrested?”

“It’d be worth it to see the look on your face.”

I hold myself in check, not succumbing to the trap. He’s back to playing the game. I need to play mine. “The thing is, I already got to see the look onyourface, and it wasn’t pretty. You’re not one of those guys whose appeal increases during the build of approaching orgasm.” I ignore the simmering warmth that expands down my neck, and cock my head to the side in contemplation. “What do they call it again? The rat face?”

God. The lies. Rome’s face was so far from that. His appeal absolutelydidincrease. But I’m playing to win here, so a lie it is.

His eyes narrow in competition. “You were on the bathroom counter. Legs spread.”

My blush swoops lower to consume my chest. My nipples.

“Mouth parted,” he continues. “You wore the sexiest pair of lace panties and loved it when I called you my good little girl.”

DearLord.This man has earned his ticket to hell ten times over.

“Are you done?” My voice cracks.

“I wasn’t, but I was close.” He leans in. “So damn close, Piper. All it would’ve taken—”

“Rome,” I warn, succumbing to the pressure.

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