Page 49 of Playing Pretend

Rome doesn’t say anything. Doesn’t ask how I’m handling the consequences of my indecent actions. All he does is provoke me with his silence.

Typical. He always knows the best way to get to me.

I drag myself to my feet, turn on the shower, and wash the loose morals off my back. I scrub my body, ignoring how it continues to tingle, how my lips refuse to quit burning.

I shunt. Hot water. Cold. Hot again. I need to make the sensations stop. I try everything to get Rome out from under my skin, but nothing works. He’s well and truly ingrained. The memory of the pool is sickeningly erotic torture.

“Piper.” He knocks on the door. “You can’t stay in there forever.”

“Don’t tempt me,” I mutter under my breath. I could if I wanted to.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

I ignore him, taking an extra five minutes under the shower’s spray before I cut the water and dry myself with a plush towel. I take my time stepping into my long bohemian dress. I practically blow-dry my hair one strand at a time before braiding it. Then I watch a YouTube makeup tutorial, ensuring I perfect each beauty tip to extend my isolation.

“Piper?” Rome knocks again. “It’s been over an hour. Are you going to hide in there all night or come out and talk to me?”

“Hiding feels like the award-winning option. Thanks for asking.”

“There’s no lock,” he drawls. “I’m happy to barge in.”

My gaze snaps to the door. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“You know me better than that.” He wiggles the handle. “And I would’ve thought the two of us confined in an intimate space that recently caused you explicit trauma would be a far worse place to have this conversation than you coming out here where there’s more room.”

Bastard.

I shove from the vanity, bridge the distance to the door, then yank it open.

“There she is.” He stands tall in nothing but his swim trunks. “The post-orgasm glow has faded, yet you continue to look exceptionally stunning.”

I ignore the increase of my pulse and slide past him to enter the main room. “How can you be calm about this?”

“Because it isn’t a big deal. This doesn’t have to be awkward.”

“I’m sure it doesn’t have to be, but unfortunately, I’m wedged tight into discomfort. There isn’t an ounce of wiggle room.” I round the bed, getting as far away from his catnip pheromones as possible.

“Then maybe we should keep repeating the lesson until the awkwardness fades.” He cocks his shoulder against the hallway wall. “Conquer via desensitization.”

I glower. “I know it’s hard to understand when sex is just physical for you. But it isn’t usually a sterile act for women. Especially this one.”

“You worried you’re going to fall for me, little Pip?”

I’m worried the dull throb between my thighs will never fade. “I’m worried we’re ruining our friendship.”

“Then don’t let it be ruined. Simple as that.”

Simple as that?

“Do you even comprehend how infuriating you are?” I grab one of the fresh towels folded at the end of the bed and throw it at him. “Have a shower. I’m going to meet Cassidy before dinner. I’ll see you downstairs.”

He catches the material in one hand. “You sure you don’t want to stick around? You could walk in on me again.”

“If you keep bringing that up I’m going to strangle you.”

He pushes from the wall with a smirk. “Promise?”

“I meant that in an entirely non-sexual way, you filthy pervert.”

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