Playing Pretend, page 20
“And he didn’t say anything?” I gape.
“I think he understood how delicate the situation was.”
That’s why Rett discarded my hysteria as if it were nothing when I told him Rome kissed me. He was trying to calm me down. To give Rome more of a chance of success. It’s also why the bastard lied about Stacey tonight.
“He’ll be happy for us.” Rome kisses my temple then pushes from the bed to walk to his private bathroom.
I pull the coverings over me and admire every step he places between us, his toned ass flexing in the moonlight.
I want him again. Already. Despite the soreness between my thighs and my complete exhaustion.
The faucet turns on. There’s a slosh of water. Then silence.
A few seconds later he returns to the room, his full-frontal display equally as impressive as the back.
“Are you ready for that snack yet?” He returns to the bed, sliding under the covers beside me, pulling me close with an arm around my hips.
“Soon.” Just a few more minutes. I want to lie beside him as long as I can.
He places a chaste kiss to my lips…my cheek…my jaw. “We should take the week off. I won’t be able to focus on business until I learn every inch of this sweet body of yours.”
“In a perfect world, that would be fun. But this sweet body of mine has to go to work.”
“Says who?” He kisses the sensitive spot below my ear…my collarbone…my chin…
“My boss.” I suck in a breath at the tingles Rome inspires. “My employment contract.”
“You’ve got a new boss, remember?” He pulls back to meet my gaze. “You work for me now.”
My pulse falters. “Rome—”
“You’ve earned the position. It’s got nothing to do with what’s happened tonight.”
“I understand that.” I honestly do. He wouldn’t insult me by conceding due to sex. “But I’d prefer to take this one step at a time. I want to get to know us first. To enjoy learning what we have before I have to learn the ins and outs of a new job.”
He scrutinizes me. “Is that what you really want?”
I nod. “I want to finally take advantage of you being my main focus for a while.”
He stares at me. Stares with such intensity my entire body throbs. “Goddamn, you make me happy.”
I grin, the same emotion blistering in my chest. “You kinda might make me feel the same.”
“Kinda might?” He gives a wicked smirk. “If you’re not sure, I’ll have to convince you.” He rolls onto me, pinning me on my back. “But I warn you, I’m going to feel guilty.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m about to have a meal and you haven’t even had a snack.” He flings back the covers and slides down my body, creeping toward my sex.
“No. Wait.”
He pauses an inch from my pussy. “Wait for what?”
I swallow, frantically trying to come up with a reason for my best friend not to do what he’s about to do. But I can’t think of one. Not a single reason to stop him from making us both happy.
“Wait for what?” he repeats with a hungered growl.
“Nothing,” I whisper, my face flaming. “Go right ahead.”
Epilogue
PIPER
One year later
“For future reference—” Rome leans close as he takes the seat next to me at the boardroom table five minutes before our Monday morning meeting, “—your dress is far from appropriate for work.”
I meet his gaze, a sex-fueled smile tilting my lips as I take in the obvious trouble he’s having with my outfit. Then, glancing down at my red dress, I say, “I thought you’d appreciate it.”
He grimaces. “I appreciate it, Piper. I just don’t want any other fucker to do the same.”
My dress is actually highly appropriate for the office. I never wear anything that isn’t. It turns out, though, that Rome has a thing for my shoulders. Well, he has a thing for every part of me, but my bare shoulders drive him wild. He also has this really cute possessive streak I can’t seem to get enough of. Other men ogling me isn’t something he appreciates.
I angle my body closer to him and murmur, “You’ll be the one taking it off me tonight.”
“Fuck,” he curses under his breath. “Some days, I’m convinced I made a mistake thinking that working with you would be easy.”
“It’s likely you did, but I’m enjoying every minute of it.” I give him a pointed look. “Perhaps the next time I ask for your opinion when buying clothes, you’ll dedicate more attention to the dresses than getting your hands on the lingerie beneath.”
Rett enters the room and sits on the other side of Rome, placing his laptop on the table. “Any idea where Johnathon and Olivia are?”
Rome shakes his head as Olivia hustles inside, her breaths panted and brows furrowed. “Sorry I’m late. Traffic was horrendous.” She drops into the seat next to me. “I miss being able to walk to work.”
Olivia moved to LA from New York a month ago to help her mother through a personal crisis. She started working here three weeks ago, and to say she’s changed the office dynamic is an understatement. That’s thanks to her history with Rett. A history that involves high school, first love, and heartbreak.
Due to the six-year age gap between Rett and me, I only vaguely recall that time in our lives, but I do remember the angst of it all when they broke up and Olivia moved across the country to attend college. I’ve never seen my brother as devastated by a breakup as he was with that one. And while I don’t know for sure, I suspect something happened between them a year ago when Olivia was in town visiting her mother.
Displeasure pinches his features. “Perhaps you could set your alarm earlier. Or better still, cut back on your nights out.”
Olivia crosses her arms. “I’ve apologized, and I’m rarely late. But what I do outside of work is none of your business.”
“It is if it’s causing you to wander in late.” Rett sneers, every word dripping with hostility.
Olivia opens her mouth to respond, but Rome cuts her off. “Let’s get started. I’ve got an appointment after this I can’t be late for. Johnathon will have to catch up later.”
Rett’s lips press together while Olivia’s arms remain firmly crossed. They glower at each other for another moment before Rett glances at his laptop and takes charge of the meeting.
We discuss the current projections for the Bellefont Residences that are nearly all sold as well as the new Chevron Residences in West Hollywood.
After Rome details some key information regarding the pricing and marketing of these properties, Olivia says, “I still think we should price higher. Demand is growing for luxury condos in that area, which I know you’re aware of, but a friend I had drinks with last night told me they just sold a condo for fourteen mil.”
“A friend?” Rett shoots Olivia an icy glare. “And how many so-called friends are you discussing company business with?”
She bats her lashes, pasting on a fake apologetic smile. “Oh, I’m sorry. Is there a limit I wasn’t aware of? Given your example of sharing company business with an unending list of friends, I thought it would be okay.”
I clear my throat.
Obviously, we’re no longer talking about condos.
Rett barks a laugh. “How about you stick to marketing and leave everything else to me?”
Olivia was hired as the Senior Vice President of Marketing. She’s brought a wealth of knowledge and skill with her, yet my brother rarely acknowledges it. As far as I know, he only agreed to her working here because she’s Rome’s cousin. And ever since he did, he’s been in a mood I want nothing to do with.
“That’s no problem at all.” Olivia returns his glacial scowl.
Anyone in the office will tell you there’s no love lost between these two. Yet it’s obvious to me that there actually is. Their eyes linger a little longer on each other than necessary. They ask after each other while trying to make it appear that they couldn’t care less. And they find ways to get into heated arguments, even when those disputes are redundant.
“Right,” Rome jumps in. “If anyone has questions, I’m taking point on this, so direct them to me.” He looks at Rett. “I think we’re done here?”
My brother nods and pushes his chair back, then strides out of the room without another word.
“Someone needs to remove that stick up his ass,” Olivia mutters as she closes her laptop and stands. Then, looking at me, she says, “Are we still on for drinks tonight?”
“Oh, shit, I forgot. Sorry.” I scrunch my face. “I can’t.”
She arches a perfectly shaped brow. “You’ve got a better offer?”
Rome’s deep voice comes from beside me as he stands. “She does.”
Olivia eyes him. “Let me guess—you’re taking her somewhere scandalous again. Maybe one of those erotic masquerades I hear you and Rett whispering about.”
My pulse skips a beat. Rome hasn’t taken me to an adult party yet, but we’ve spoken about it. More than once.
The last year with him has invigorated me in ways I never knew possible.
I’ve found the love of a man who worships and cherishes me. I’ve claimed a new-found confidence. And the spicy exploration he’s patiently guided me into has me enjoying sex in a way I hadn’t thought existed.
“No.” His eyes land on mine, sending a thrill through me with the way he watches me. “I’m taking her to dinner.”
I frown. “Dinner?”
I’d thought we were planning a night in with just the two of us.
He nods as he palms his cell, a text lighting up the screen. “Yeah. I’ve already made a reservation.” The message distracts him briefly before he looks at me again. “I have to go.”
I try not to stare after him as he exits the room, but I fail. I fail often at that. Rome steals my attention easily. All of it, all the time. And not just because of his looks.
I’ve always known we were in sync, but I wasn’t prepared for just how perfectly matched we would be. All that agonizing I did over taking our friendship to the next level wasn’t necessary. Rome and I have never faltered, never stumbled. Not once. I credit him for a lot of that. The way he gave me the space to ease into our relationship, to grow into myself, was everything I needed.
We still banter and tease our way through life. But we have a whole new level of trust in each other that only makes me love him more. That always has me looking for him, wanting him, needing him.
“Oh, Rome forgot this.” Olivia grabs a building access card from the table.
“I’ll return it to him.” I take the card from her hand. “How about Wednesday night for drinks?”
She smiles. “Sounds good.”
I leave her and make my way to Rome’s office.
His door is closed, which is strange. I raise my hand to knock, but the door swings open, and an unfamiliar man almost bumps into me as he leaves.
“Who was that?” I ask as I enter the office.
Rome snatches at something on his desk, but fumbles, and a small blue box wrapped in white ribbon falls to the floor. He quickly bends to retrieve it and shoves the item in his pants pocket.
I stare at the square outline against the material, my heart rate increasing. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” He shoves a hand through his hair. “I’m on my way out. Do you need something?”
I narrow my eyes. “Yes, I need to know what’s in that box.”
Surely, I’m misreading the situation.
“No, you don’t.”
“Okay, so need may not be the right word, but I’d like to know.”
Surely.
“Piper,” he warns.
“Rome.” He knows I rarely pay attention to his warnings. And oh, my God, he needs to hurry this along. I don’t do well with delayed information.
He watches me silently for a few moments before finally cursing under his breath. His eyes, though, hold only warmth for me. And so much love.
“This isn’t how I wanted to do this.” He retrieves the item from his pocket. “But if there’s one thing I can rely on with you, it’s that my plans rarely go off without a hitch.”
I stare at the familiar packaging.
The Tiffany box.
My pulse flutters. My heart flutters. Everything flutters.
Rome moves closer, and I bring my gaze back up to his.
“You’re really going to do this, aren’t you?” I whisper.
He lowers to one knee, his gaze intense on mine as he opens the jewelry box, revealing the most beautiful diamond ring I’ve ever seen. “Yes, I’m really going to do this, but you should know I had the perfect proposal planned for tonight. I booked out your favorite restaurant just for us. I flew in the most exquisite champagne from France. Enough red roses are being delivered to the restaurant today to fill it for you. I booked violinists. And that’s just the beginning.” He pauses, and I’m almost certain my heartbeat pauses too. “Perhaps the next time I plan something special, it’ll occur as envisioned.”
I smile as I stare down at the man who owns my heart. “Where would the fun be in that?”
His lips kick up at the ends. “There would be no fun in that. I agree. But still, I’d like us to try it at least once in our lifetime.”
I cock my head. “How long do you intend for this proposal to take?”
His smile turns into a full grin before his seriousness returns. “I intend on staying down here until you say yes because the only thing that will make my life better than it already is would be having you as my wife.” He pauses, his voice filling with pure conviction when he continues. “There’s no other woman for me, little Pip. There never has been. I’ve loved you forever and I will love you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
My chest blazes, each heartbeat aflame with love.
There’s so much happiness bubbling inside me that I forget myself for a minute. I don’t know how to speak.
“Piper,” he urges. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”
I reach down to grasp his face with both hands, tears blurring my vision. “Yes. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
He shoves to his feet, his arms enveloping me in seconds, his lips crashing down on mine. He kisses me so thoroughly I don’t know how to breathe.
“I love you, Piper.” He speaks against my mouth. “And I’m going to make you the happiest woman alive.”
I keep hold of his face, keep kissing him again and again. “You’ve already done that.”
He opens his mouth to say something, but Rett’s voice cuts in from behind me. “Why am I never surprised to find you two in a compromising position?”
Rome chuckles, still staring at me as if I’m the eighth wonder of the world. “Because your timing is always off, my friend.”
“Fuck, did you just propose?” Rett asks. “I thought you were doing that tonight.”
“Why am I always the last to find out these things?” I keep my gaze firmly pinned on my fiancé.
Rome laughs before brushing his lips over mine. Then, taking hold of my hand, he slides the diamond ring on my finger, his movements slow and careful.
“I love you, Rome.” I speak softly but my heart is surely beating loudly enough for all three of us to hear it. “And I’m going to make you the happiest man alive.” Then, smiling, I add, “And you can do this all over again tonight. Far be it for me to ruin all your plans.” I bring my mouth to his ear and whisper, “I’ll even wear your favorite vibrator.”
“Fuck.” Heat fills his gaze.
“See? There’s so much fun to be had when things don’t go as planned.”
He grins and crushes his lips to mine, showing me how much he agrees through the heated contact.
I never imagined I’d be the one suggesting an indecent proposal, but here I am, suggesting it, wanting it, needing it.
This is what Rome has done to me.
He’s shown me how to love pleasure.
But more importantly, he’s shown me how to love because he loves me better than anyone ever has.
I hope you enjoyed Playing Pretend.
If you’re interested in reading more of my work I always recommend the Hunting Her series.
These men don’t build bridges… They bury bodies.
The first book in the series - Hunter - is an internationally bestselling romantic suspense destined to leave you breathless.
“You’ve really got a thing for this chick, don’t you?” Decker asks.
“Pretend I do and make sure you act accordingly. That means you touch her, you die.”
Turn the page to start the crazy journey.
Hunter Preview
CHAPTER 1
Her
The weight of a psychopath’s gaze rests heavy at the back of my neck. He’s watching me, stalking me, probably already fantasizing about how my bones will break under his fists.
I fight to contain a smile and cross my legs, allowing the hem of my skin-tight skirt to hitch higher along my thighs.
Every move I make is strategic, every slow blink, every bated breath, every swipe of my lace glove-covered fingers along my exposed neck. I’ve practiced this a million times. I always do, because this needs to be perfect. Second chances are for the unprepared, and I’m anything but.
My auburn wig is for his benefit—the brown contact lenses, bright red lipstick, and fuck-me boots, too. Tonight, I’m an actress, and my role is that of a novice escort—his ultimate temptation.
I stir the toothpick-speared olive around in my martini glass, feigning loneliness.
My mark, Dan Roberts, has to be beside himself with interest, salivating, his palms itching, his cock hardening. He’s picturing his hands around my throat, anticipating how hard he’d have to squeeze, and for how long, before I lost consciousness.
