Page 80 of Playing Pretend

I should roll my eyes. Scoff. But his compliment latches onto me, sinking its nails deep.

God, how am I going to return to normal after this?

“Your strategic move with dessert was impressive.” His thumb rubs slow circles on my back.

“I’m not as pitiful in business as you might think.”

“I’ve never thought you were pitiful. I never could. You’re a worthy adversary.” He raises his arm, guiding me through a gentle twirl before dragging me back into his chest. “But I think it’s time we renegotiate terms.”

I grin. “I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m quite happy with the way things are.”

“Are you sure? Because with our current promise, you’re going to have a long night on the dance floor. I might even have to tip the DJ a few hundred to keep this party moving into the early morning.”

My smile fades as memory serves.Shit.I swore to give Rome all the dancing he wanted. “That was an off-the-cuff comment. I didn’t expect you to hold it against me.”

“And I didn’t expect you to take advantage of the reprieve I willingly gave. You can’t mince words in business, little Pip. That’s why I’m generously offering to renegotiate.”

I roll my eyes. “What are you suggesting?”

“A total overhaul. Let’s start fresh.” He leans closer, his mouth near my ear when he says, “I can admit I made a mistake in promising not to kiss you.”

My pulse flutters with arrhythmia. “Rookie move.”

He pivots us in a different direction as another couple join us on the makeshift dance floor. “I guess I deserve that.”

“And so much more.”

“Duly noted. But I’m sure you don’t want to spend the next six hours shuffling back and forth held tight against my chest while I edge you with that device. There’s room for some new terms.”

Six hours?He wouldn’t dare.

I pull back to meet his gaze, the determined stare letting me know he definitelywoulddare. Without pause or guilt. “What do you suggest?”

“I’m glad you asked.” His grin turns infuriatingly handsome. “How about you give me a little wriggle room with the settings on the device? Let me inch it up to level six like before and scrap the no kissing rule. In return, I promise to have us out of here by midnight.”

I scoff. “No deal.”

“Negotiate. Give me something to work with. Otherwise we stay here forever.”

“Fine. No kissing,” I state flatly. “And you can increase to level four as long as this is over by eleven.” That should be roughly ninety minutes of endurable torture.

He raises his brows, pretending to consider the deal for a split second. “Level four. Eleven o’clock and three kisses—including one at the door to our suite.”

I swallow.

Those kisses are too much. The intimacy of them. The way our locked lips will chew me up and spit me out in a million pieces.

“Don’t you feel weird wanting to kiss your best friend?” I ask.

“Not in the slightest. You’re a good kisser and so am I.” He shrugs. “So why not indulge?”

Why not? Goddamn you, Rome.Because I’m in love with you.

I shrink with the mental confession, hating that there’s no longer any way to keep those feelings in the past. They’re not hovering. They’re not threatening to break through. They’re here.Right here.In every breath I take.

I glance away, unable to hold his gaze when my needs and fears threaten to tear me apart all while that stupid device keeps me on the brink of suffering. My tolerance no longer cares that it remains on the lowest setting. All this talk of kissing is sinking me further into lust. “Level five. Ten-thirty deadline, and…”

“Kissing,” he answers for me. “I need to be able to kiss you, Piper.”

---