Page 51 of Play Fake
When in the history of the world have I ever warned a woman to take it slow when it comes to drinking?
Never. The answer is exactly never.
I didn’t take it slow onanyof my younger siblings when I took it upon myself to get them drunk for the first time. It was a rite of passage. They all came to me since they knew I started with Everleigh, and they knew that as much as I can focus on having a good time, I also know how to help others have a good time in a controlled and safe way.
And, you know…puke doesn’t faze me.
I don’t want to get Ainssickdrunk orblackoutdrunk tonight, though. I just want her to cut loose and have some fun.
And the more I think that, the more I want that fun to be withme.
Not taking her to some private VIP lounge and giving her a new experience.
Not taking her for a drag race down the Strip.
Not taking her to the members-only sex club.
Just her, me, and my place. One night of fun that I can remember every time I look at the spot where she lay naked while I took her from behind, or from the top, or while she rode me.
Fuck, man.
What the fuck am I doing?
I blow out a breath as I attempt to pull myself together.
“I’m going to go use the ladies’ room before dinner starts,” she says, and I’m left to my own devices by the auction items.
It’s not hard to work this room alone. I know about half the people in it, and the other half seem to know me. But somehow working the room with Ainsley by my side makes it so much better.
I haven’t quite worked out why that is yet, or how she manages to make it better, but I think I’m starting to figure it out.
She’s been my wife for a week. She’s lived with me for close to three weeks.
We’ve spent a lot of time around each other, and she’s not really a friend yet.
And despite all that, feelings are becoming involved. Unknown feelings. Unfamiliar feelings. Uncharted feelings.
I don’t like it.
But as she walks back into the room after her bathroom break and I’m chatting with retired Aces defensive back Grayson Nash about the Aces’ D-line this upcoming season, I can’t help but catch my breath as our eyes meet from across the room.
Whatever Grayson’s talking about seems to fade away as I stare at her walking toward me. Her eye catches mine, and she glances down at herself like something’s wrong—maybe she’s dragging some toilet paper behind her on her shoe, or she spilled some water in the bathroom.
That’s sort of the whole problem, though.
There’s nothing wrong with her at all.
She’s perfect.
There’s a lot wrong withour situation, which is the main reason I haven’t acted on thesefeelingsthat seem to be pelting me in the chest, but when it comes to her…all I see is this gorgeous woman who seems to be sacrificing everything to help me.
Her eyes flick back to mine, and I hold her gaze as she walks toward me. It’s a long, lingering gaze. The kind that might dip into awkward territory for some people. But I can’t seem to look away.
“It’ll be nice watching another season on my couch with my wife’s cookies,” Grayson says, and he pats his stomach.
I think he’s waiting for a laugh, but I’m in a trance with the woman walking toward me.
“Who’s she?” Grayson asks, lowering his voice when he sees who I’m staring at.
