Page 74 of Playing Pretend

I don’t sense him at my back.

Good. I release a heavy exhale, thankful for the reprieve. The more space I can get, the better.

I reach the door leading to the function center, my fingers pressed against the glass panel when the vibration of the sex toy jolts up a notch.

I freeze. Fight not to gasp.

I squeeze every muscle in my core against the hum filtering through to my clit as the casual rhythmic clap of Rome’s expensive shoes approach behind me.

He closes in against my back, his heated breath brushing my ear.

“Lesson number four,” he murmurs. “I prefer when people don’t walk away from me in the middle of a conversation. Especially important ones.” His palms claim my hips, staking ownership. “If this is too much, you need to tell me.”

“I’m more than capable of handling you,” I lie.

“Then be aware I don’t take kindly to being dismissed.” His tone holds a delicious warning. “That device has sixteen different settings, little Pip. Each one capable of educating you on a far more productive level.”

I shudder. Swallow.

“And let me assure you…” A hand falls from my side as he leans forward to push the door open, his chest brushing my shoulder. “By the end of the night, you’ll be fully versed on how to work seamlessly at my side.”

CHAPTER14

Rome

Piper remains poisedas we enter the conference room with its dim mood lighting, the round tables covered in jet-black cloths and sparkling cutlery. Waitstaff circle guests, offering champagne and taking beverage orders from those mingling, while soft music plays from an unmanned DJ stand near the lectern illuminated by a lone spotlight.

She’s far more composed than I’d anticipated as she quietly leads the way past her friends, giving casual smiles of greeting, her cheeks warm with a gentle glow. She thanks those who compliment her phenomenal dress. Declines the champagne that’s offered. Remains unperturbed as she glides effortlessly through the room.

I didn’t plan on increasing the settings on the device more than three times tonight, yet her ability to act unfazed already has me itching to skip to level thirteen.

I need her to react to me. To succumb. On every level.

“Are you sure I can’t get you a drink?” I ask.

She continues toward the far back corner of the room, her choice of isolation the only hint to her hidden nervousness. “I’m perfectly fine without.”

“Is it set seating?” I claim her hand, entwining our fingers, pleased to find her palm slicked with sweat. “Because the most stunning woman shouldn’t be hiding in the back corner.”

She slows her stride, disengaging our hands once we reach the farthest table from the door. “Hiding is necessary when you’re trying to humiliate me.”

“That’s not my aim. I want to help you enjoy our last night here. I want you to feel good.” I inch closer and purr, “Do you feel good, little Pip?”

I fight the temptation to slide my palms over her abdomen. To see if I can sense those vibrations through her skin.

She turns to me, her smile subtle, her eyes dark and dazzling in the dim light. “What I feel is that payback will be a bitch.”

I smirk. “I can’t wait.”

I thought the toy might’ve been too much. A step too far. I had little choice, though. With this being my last night playing so-called pretend, I had no plan on wasting it. It was a case of go hard or go home. And things have been nothing but hard down south for far too fucking long.

“Am I allowed to sit now?” She raises a brow.

“Do I have jurisdiction over your seating choice?”

She glowers. “No.”

I chuckle. “Then by all means.” I pull out the chair in front of her, waiting until she’s seated before claiming my own at her side.

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