Page 51 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

I locked eyes with Rory again. He didn't want me to come. He seemed to dislike the idea of me potentially hooking up with a stranger. Or sleeping with Connor. Was Connor still trying to help me?

"No, I'll come," I said and stood up. Somehow my night had turned from getting caught not actually on a date, to possibly successfully making Rory jealous. I couldn't pass up this opportunity.

Chapter 22

We walked into the bar down the street. I had been there a few times before. It was always packed and always super loud. And it definitely wasn't a place I would normally go.

I wasn't sure if Rory and Connor actually believed my story about my date. I pretended to yawn and glanced over at Rory. He was staring at me.

"What's your poison, Keira?" Connor asked.

"Whatever you're having is fine."

"Scotch on the rocks?" Connor said skeptically.

I made a face. "A beer is fine."

"I'll be right back." Connor pushed through the other patrons to reach the bar.

Rory touched my shoulder and leaned in toward me. His touch gave me goose bumps. For a second I thought he was going to kiss me. But his lips moved to my ear. Of course.

"You don't have to stay," he almost had to yell over the band. "Let me take you home."

"I have to find someone else to take me home. Isn't that the whole point?" I tried to give him a challenging look. If he didn't want me to hook up with other people, all he had to do was say so. Even though I was trying so hard to hide it, I was pretty sure he could still tell I liked him. Why wasn't this working?

"You don't have to do this, Keira."

I laughed. "I want to. I think it's about time I let loose. Let's dance!" I grabbed his arm, but he didn't budge.

Connor came back over and handed me my beer. I took a long sip. I was supposed to be making Rory jealous, not mad. I was starting to regret my decision to go with them. Maybe I should just leave.

"So," Connor said. "Anyone spark your interest?"

I glanced over at Rory, but quickly looked away. "Umm..." I looked at everyone dancing. "I think I need more time to decide. Do you want to dance?"

"Absolutely." He set his drink down and escorted me to the dance floor. He grabbed my waist and pulled me in close. "You slept with Rory, huh?"

My face started turning crimson. "So he did tell you?"

"No. But it's kind of obvious. You've got him pretty worked up."

"I'm not so sure about that," I said. A girl had started talking to Rory and he seemed completely immersed in the conversation.

"I didn't say you no longer needed my help."

I looked up at Connor. "You still want to help me? What happened to pretending to be a bad boy?"

He shrugged. "Turns out I'm too nice."

I smiled up at him. "Well I'm glad you decided to be yourself. But I don't think there's anything you can do to help. Rory and I were just a one night thing."

"And that's what you wanted?"

"It's what I agreed to."

"You probably shouldn't have agreed to that."

"I know that now."

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