Page 59 of Playing Pretend

I placemy room card against the security panel, Rome hot on my heels. “I really think you should go back to the party. You could share all those so-called moves with Cassidy. You’d be the highlight of her life.”

“What if I only want to be the highlight of yours?”

I roll my eyes and shove the door wide. “You rarely go on vacation. If you’re not interested in the party, then go to the bar. Take some time for yourself.”

He huffs a laugh and follows me inside. “Funny, ’cause that’s exactly what I was doing this morning when you walked in on me in the bathroom. You weren’t so happy about the way I took advantage ofthattime.”

The memory flashes straight into my frontal lobe. Every corded muscle on full display—the curve of his ass, the clench of his fist, the hard length in his hand. “Do you ever think of anything other than—”

“All work and no play makes Rome pent up and problematic.” The door claps shut behind him, the harsh click of the lock making the room feel ten times smaller.

“I would’ve said perverted and overindulgent,” I mutter.

“And I could’ve said hard and horny, but I was trying not to embarrass you again.”

I swing around with a smile. “Aww. Look at you, expecting praise for the slightest show of modesty.”

“And look at you, finally suppressing a blush through a conversation regarding my dick.”

On cue, my face warms.Bastard.

“Wait a minute.” He cocks his head, staring at my cheeks. “There it is.”

“You’re such a prick.”

He grins. “And you’re such an easy trigger.”

“Thanks for stating the obvious.” I stride for my suitcase, busying myself with a search for clean underwear and the shirt he gave me to sleep in. “Remind me to never discuss what you do when you’re alone.”

“All I do is think about you, little Pip.” He chuckles.

“On the topic of reminders…” I turn to face him, clothes in hand. “Do I need to give you another lesson on the rules? We’re inside our suite, so drop the boyfriend act.”

He leans his shoulder against the wall. “Yes, ma’am.”

I hate that he looks unbelievably gorgeous standing there all calm and casual, his eyes a commanding force.

I take a second to indulge in the possibility of burning the guidelines to ash. If I let the charade bleed into our room, would he kiss me? Would he stalk over here and throw me to the bed? A kiss not only born of hunger, but affection. One where my toes curl and my stomach disintegrates.

I clear my throat. “I’m taking a quick shower.”

“I’ll have one when you’re done.”

I hide in the bathroom for a second time, and just like earlier, my body hums for him. I wash off my makeup. I glide the floral-scented soap over my skin, avoiding my nipples and between my thighs.

I can’t touch where I tingle most. I’ll combust.

When I finish showering and brushing my teeth, I pad from the bathroom in my makeshift nightgown, finding him seated at the small dining table, his laptop open in front of him. The top buttons of his dress shirt are undone, his hair ragged as if he’s been raking his fingers through the strands.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yeah. Just returning emails.” He closes the laptop and pushes to his feet. “Give me five minutes and I’ll be ready to turn the lights out.”

“Don’t hurry on my account.” I continue to the bed, fling back the covers, and start rebuilding the pillow fort. “I’m hoping to fall asleep as soon as I’m horizontal.” Or at least I’ll pretend as much. I’m done with tipsy conversations that spill into dangerous territory. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He frowns, but concedes with a flick of the nearby light switch, plunging the room into darkness. “Night, Pip.”

“Night.” I climb into bed, attempting to force myself to sleep while he uses the bathroom. It’s a ludicrous request though when my body continues to hum on multiple frequencies. Especially when my nipples won’t quit beading against the soft cotton of his shirt.

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