Page 58 of Playing Pretend

I’m beginning to think it might be best to take Rome’s advice and conquer via desensitization. To continue this friends-with-benefits scheme and work the lust out of my system like Cassidy suggested.

It’s only two more nights.

“Good,” I mimic as music erupts from the other side of the marquee, the fast beat of a female power anthem belting through the night. Cheers and squeals follow as my most intoxicated colleagues form a drunken mosh circle under the stars.

“Let’s dance.” Cassidy shimmies by, grabbing my hand with a yank as she passes.

I stumble forward while Rome remains in place, watching me get dragged away.

“Thank God.” I squeeze her fingers. “Where have you been all night? I’ve needed you to save me.”

She scrunches her nose. “I thought so. But I couldn’t bring myself to interrupt.” She raises her arm, dragging mine along with it to twirl me in the direction of Max and Vanessa. “I’ve been hiding because you two look so sweet together.”

“It’s not real,” I mouth.

“I disagree.” She swings her hips, hyper-focused on the music.

I’m not going to argue. Not when I finally have space to breathe. I dance to the beat, my sandals and cell in one hand, the other remaining under Cassidy’s control.

“Did you both talk about what happened?” she asks.

“A little.” I glance over my shoulder, finding Rome staring back at me from where I left him. His attention doesn’t stray when a guy from the Newport Beach office comes up beside him to strike conversation. Those chocolate eyes don’t waver as he places his empty glass on a passing waitress’s tray.

“He’s different tonight.” I turn back to Cassidy. “Less sexual. But somehow more intense.”

“Is that better or worse?”

“I don’t know.” I never thought I’d miss his dirty words, but when pitted against the praise he’s spoken to my colleagues there’s a clear distinction between how one affects my heart while the other tinkers with my ovaries. “The only thing I’m sure of is that it’s far safer to be over here with you. You need to be a better buffer.”

“I’ll try my best.”

I keep dancing through an eighties classic, then a fast-paced techno thrasher, but when the song changes to a slow, sweet melody I decide to call it quits. “I need to go to bed.”

Max overhears my plight from the other side of our dance circle and pins me with a teasing grin. “For rest or exercise?”

“Forsleep. I’m exhausted.”

Vanessa giggles like a schoolgirl. It’s ridiculous. I just wish my stomach didn’t respond with the same giddiness.

“I don’t doubt it.” Max takes a chug of beer. “I bet last night was a marathon.”

“Last night was nothing but blissful slumber, thank you very much.”

“Then your man must be a powder keg. I hope you enjoy the moment of detonation.”

“And I hope you enjoy spending another night with your face in the sand.” I give him a sardonic finger wave as I retreat from the dancing group. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Everyone bids me farewell with a string of obscene comments—Don’t pull a muscle… Practice safe sleeping habits… It’s rude to spit so make sure you swallow.

I glower as I pivot, bumping right into Rome’s chest.

“Where are you going?” He grabs my hips, steadying me. “I haven’t had a dance yet.”

“You can have all the dances you want tomorrow.” The warmth of his body seeps into mine, tempting me with the thought of more. “I’m tired. I’m calling it a night.”

CHAPTER11

Piper

---