Page 52 of Playing Pretend

“Piper,” Cassidy grumbles. “You can’t leave me hanging at the good part. I won’t stand for a closed-door policy on the sex scenes.”

I huff a sigh. “Rome wanted to prove I wasn’t cold. That I didn’t have problems, only a problematic ex.”

“And?”

“And he got me into the pool, caged me against the wall, and had me grind against his thigh until I climaxed.”

She slaps a hand over her gaping mouth, her eyes dancing.

“I know, right?” I lower my gaze to the floor. “When I say it out loud it sounds cheap and nasty. I swear I don’t usually do that type of thing.”

“On the contrary. I think it’s hot as hell.”

I cringe, unsure if her opinion makes me feel better or worse.

“So, what’s happening now?” She grabs at the edge of the towel just above her breasts, making it tighter. “Where is he? Where does this leave you?”

“It leaves me suffocating in awkwardness. I don’t even know how to be around him right now. This isn’t us. We don’t do friends with benefits. We can’t. I’m not willing to risk the complications that come with it.”

“Then don’t be in a friendship.” She pushes from the bed to stand before me. “Why not take it one step further? For real this time.”

I give her a look of incredulity. “That’s not happening.”

“Why not? There’s obviously chemistry between you two.”

“Yeah, the type that requires a hazmat suit.” I fake a chuckle, trying to deny the truth. But she’s right—thereischemistry. Unpredictable, explosive chemistry. “He’s my best friend, Cass. And I mean arealbest friend. There’s not a memory in my life that hasn’t involved him. I can’t complicate the perfect stability we have.”

“You can’t risk complicating it or losing it? Because if you’ve been close for so long, what’s a few minor complications between besties if spicy, hot sex is on the table? You can laugh it off afterward, right? You’re not going to lose him over this.”

“I haven’t done much laughing since the pool. In fact, I hid in our bathroom for over an hour before fleeing here.”

She gives me a pitying smile. “You’ve gotta loosen up, babe. Have some fun. If he’s willing to offer his services, why not take advantage of that smokin’ hot body of his? You’ve got a fully functioning libido, right? And a working set of eyes? That man is gorgeous. Why not dive crotch-first toward that di—”

“And that’s where I call it quits.” I raise my hands in surrender. “No more Rome talk for you.”

“I’m serious.”

“I know you are.” I chuckle. “That’s the problem.”

“The problem is that you need to stop worrying so much and enjoy the opportunity you’ve got while it’s here. Julian made you feel bad about yourself. Let Rome fix it. We’re only on vacation for two more nights. Put a firm finish line on this benefits scheme and some hard rules, then go with the flow. What’s the worst that could happen?”

I could fall for him.

Plain and simple.

I could revert to the teenager who hung off his every word. I could go back to crying myself to sleep whenever he’s out on a date. I could crumple with heartache every time he relays one of his stupid, sordid sex stories for years to come.

He could break me.

“It’s two nights, Piper.” She raises her brows. “Two nights. Then things can go back to normal.”

No. Then things will change even more. Hopefully, I’ll have the new career I’ve always wanted, which only means I’ll be closer to Rome on a daily basis.

“You’ve gotta do this.” Cassidy steps forward and grabs my shoulders, giving me a shake. “If not for you, do it for me. I’d kill to know what he looks like in his birthday suit.”

“I can already tell you that much.”

“You’ve seen him naked?” Her voice raises. “And you didn’t tell me?”

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