Page 41 of My Office Rival

“Stop gloating,” I grumbled. I leaned awkwardly over the table. The cue was too heavy. The table dug into my hips. “I’ve never played before and I hate to lose, so this should be fun.” I fumbled the cue, nearly dropped it, and sighed. “Got any tips?”

His brows rose.

“Yeah, yeah. Laugh all you want.”

“You’ve never asked me for help before. Well, except when youbegged me to let you stay in the house.” His eyes laughed at me, that soft mouth tilted up.Of course, he wouldn’t forget that.

“I wouldn’t call that begging,” I said.

“It sounded like begging to me.”

Damn, that stupid smirk. I was going to wipe it off his face. “No, begging is more like,oh, Jason, please, harder.” I moaned the words. Mistake. They felt too right on my tongue and sent sparks shooting through me.

His whole body went taut. His hand clenched on the cue so hard I thought it might break. His eyes devoured me, each look a physical caress. I thought the leash on his control might break, that he might pin me to the wall.On your knees like a good girl.Suddenly, I wanted that so badly I thought I might snap too, might melt into a puddle. My legs trembled. He gave me one more searing glance, then grabbed his beer and downed it in two fast gulps.

24

CYNTHIA

“Keep your arm loose and take a few practice shots first. It also helps to picture the path of the ball before you shoot.” Jason’s voice was slightly rough, but other than that, he had no reaction to my words from just a moment earlier.

I bent over the table, skin tingling, as I realized Jason could probably see right down my shirt.Whatever. Use it against him.The cue was awkward, heavy. My arm was the opposite of loose.

“This doesn’t feel right.” I popped up. “The cue feels really unnatural.”

“It usually does the first time.” His voice was annoyingly reasonable.

“Little help?” I asked. He took one hesitant step forward, and I froze.Was I asking him to touch me?No going back now.Winning was still more important than anything.

The heat of Jason’s body licked against my spine as he stepped behind me, though he very carefully placed his hands on either side of me.

“Can I touch your arm?” He murmured, and I shivered at his tone. This was his bedroom voice, soft and silky.

“Yes,” I breathed.

He slid his hand along my upper arm and murmured into my ear, “Keep this arm loose. It’s a sport, just like any other. You have a ready stance for baseball and boxing. This is the same.” He ran a finger down my arm, and I barely stopped myself from pressing back against him.

“Breathe.” His exhale was hot on my neck.Relax.It was impossible with him this close.

“Okay. Good. Now see the red ball there? That’s your best shot right now.” His voice was low, seductive, sliding along my skin. I swallowed hard.

“It is? But it looks like the blue one would be easier.”

“Nope. Follow my line of sight.” He bent over me and pointed out his sight line. His arm brushed against my shoulder, and I tensed. I was caged by his body against the table, and it felt so good. Delicious and forbidden. Like decadent chocolate cake.

“If you hit the red ball right, the rebound should set you up to get the green ball and then maybe the blue ball, if you execute it all correctly.” His damp exhalations feathered over my neck. “You want to hit it in such a way that the cue ball only moves as much as you want. A solid hit means the cue ball doesn’t follow the ball you’re aiming for. That takes practice, but that’s the goal. The point of pool is about planning and control.” He emphasized the last word and heat flared in my belly.Why did he have to say that?It’s like he knew I would be reminded of our night together, about his craving for dominance. Was he trying to turn me on? I turned to look at him and saw his expression was casual and focused on the table.Okay, so this is just Jason being Jason. Got it.

“All right. Let me give it a shot.” I bent over the table and he stepped away quickly.

“Easy,” he murmured. “Keep your arm loose, take a practice swing. Good girl.” He breathed the last words out and I clenched my thighs together.On your knees like a good girl.My hand shook as I lined up my shot.Careful, careful.I slid back and hit the cue dead on. The blue ball went into the pocket.

“Yes!” I pumped my fist in the air and turned to see him grinning.

“I knew you could do it.” He held his hand out for a high five, and I smacked it harder than necessary.

“All right, now try to sink the green ball. You’re a little off target, but I think you can still sink it.”

I circled the table, and he followed. I eyed my shot and bent over.

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