Page 94 of Playing Pretend

I want him to kiss me, devour me, convince me that there’s no way we could fail.

“Open your eyes, Pip, or I’m going to take it as an invitation.”

I keep my lids clamped shut, my tongue throbbing for contact.

“Open your eyes.” His breath closes in on my mouth, the delicate tease making my knees weak. “Otherwise I’m going to steal a gasp from those pretty lips.”

I whimper, the sound barely leaving my throat as I silently acquiesce.

“You’re mine.” He bridges the space between us, our mouths colliding in a searing kiss.

He groans into the contact as his hands cup my jaw. He holds me in place, his tongue parting my lips.

I cling to his shirt. Tug him closer. Demand more as heat consumes me.

I want more.

More kisses. More contact. Morehim.

Instead, he pulls back, his eyes wild. “You should go.”

“Why?” I pant.

“Because things are going to move quickly if you don’t. And I’d prefer not to rush this. I want this to be—”

“Please don’t say perfect. That sort of pressure will—”

“There’s no pressure. All I’m saying is that I don’t want our first time to be fast and frivolous. You deserve better.”

What I deserve is to not have to obsess over the pros and cons of what’s to come for however long it takes to arrive. Quick may scare me, but slow will put me into cardiac arrest, especially when I’m still not convinced this is the right move.

“You’re panicking again, aren’t you?” He straightens, as if already knowing my answer. “Okay, change of plan.” He steps back, giving me space. “Go home. Pack an overnight bag. I’ll be there to pick you up in an hour. We’re going out for dinner to start this thing right.”

CHAPTER18

Rome

She blinks blindlyat my instruction.

“Come on.” I take her hand, leading the way to her car.

She remains quiet as I open the door and help her inside.

“I’ll see you in an hour. Okay?”

Her nod is unconvincing. She wants to bail again.

Fuck.

“There’s nothing to stress about.” I force myself to close her door then wait, my confidence ebbing as she starts the engine. I step back, paused a foot from the car, praying for her to drive off.

I wait. And fucking wait some more.

She doesn’t leave. She stares through the windscreen, brows pinched, shoulders tense.

The long heartbeats of her indecision are fucking torture.

Put me out of my misery, Piper. Just lower the window and tell me you can’t do this.

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