Page 93 of Playing Pretend

“You’re worrying about things that aren’t going to happen.”

“But what if they do? What if we try and hate it? What if we sleep together and it’s horrible? What if you realize you want to be a lifelong bachelor?”

He gives me a placating grin.

“What? I’m serious.” I palm the front of his shirt. “And this is only brushing the surface of my concerns. I could write a thesis on all the things that could go wrong.”

“I don’t doubt it, but I’ve got it all under control. If we try and you hate it, I’ll tie you to my bed and keep you there until I change your mind.” He plants a chaste kiss against my hairline. “And if you think sleeping together is horrible, I’ll do the same thing but with a leg spreader and a mass of toys to thoroughly learn exactly what you enjoy so you’re never left unsatisfied.”

Oh, God.“And what about the lifelong bachelor part?”

“You might see me as a bachelor, but I’ve been off the market for a long time. I’ve been dedicated to you for years.”

“So what you’re saying is that you’ve been cheating on me.”

He bursts out laughing. “You’re insufferable.”

“See?” I smile. “We’re already having problems.”

“I guess so.” He hauls me off the ground and into his arms.

“What are you doing?” I squeal.

“Exactly what I told you I’d do if we came across a rough patch.”

My eyes bug. “I don’t need to be tied to your bed, Rome.” I wiggle. Buck. “Please put me down.Please.”

He complies, placing me on my feet in front of him, my cheeks flushed, my breaths panted.

We stare at each other, my heart growing incredibly warm as he entwines our hands.

“I’m all in, Piper,” he murmurs the vow. “I always have been. I think it would be a mistake if we didn’t at least try.”

I know.God,how I know. But… “I’m scared.”

“I won’t let us fail. I know you. And you know me better than I know—”

“But we don’t knowthis.” I squeeze our tangled fingers. “Anything physical is new to both of us.”

“Yet the physical was so fucking good at the resort.” He presses his forehead to mine. “I’m hard just thinking about it.”

Heat pools between my thighs. “How do you find it so easy to talk like that?”

“Because I’ve fantasized about fucking you for a scandalous length of time.”

“How scandalous?”

“For as long as I can remember your blush has turned me harder than stone.”

My cheeks flame as I clench my core, hungry for more of his lust. “I’ve been blushing at your crass language since I was thirteen.”

“Which means I’m damn lucky I can hide my feelings otherwise I would’ve been in cuffs a long time ago.” He releases one of my hands to glide a gentle thumb over my cheek. “And now you’re just taunting me with all this pretty pink.”

I close my eyes, loving the delicate touch paired with the filthy intent.

“Let me show you how perfect we are together.” He keeps stroking my cheek. Back and forth. Tender and slow.

That’s what I want. Him to show it. Prove it.

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