Page 18 of Playing Pretend
I could. Ican.
“I didn’t think you’d be stepping so far out of our friendship zone.” The elevator doors open on our floor and I stalk into the hall. “What the hell was that kiss about?”
“That wasn’t a kiss.” He follows behind me.
“Your lips were on mine, Rome.” I stop at our door and slam the key card against the panel. “In front of everyone.”
“Barely. I kiss my grandmother with more passion.”
I blink. Blink again. “Although incredibly disturbing, that’s beside the point.”
“And the point is?” He glides an arm in front of me to push the door open.
“We’re friends.” I march into our suite, grabbing my suitcase to drag it farther inside as I pass. “You’re making this weird.”
“You’re the one making it weird. This may be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with it.”
I haul my suitcase onto the bed. “This is the farthest thing from fun for me.”
“Why?”
I pause at the simply stated question.
Yeah, Piper, why isn’t it fun?Why wouldn’t it be enjoyable for two friends to laugh and enjoy themselves while on a company-paid vacation? Why are you taking this so seriously?
Shit.
“Piper?” he asks. “Why, exactly, aren’t you having fun?”
CHAPTER4
Rome
She falls quiet,refusing to answer as she roughly unzips her suitcase.
It’s been effortless getting under her skin. But I’m concerned about this “like a brother” bullshit.
Is that really how she sees me?
“I’m stressed,” she finally admits. “We haven’t discussed this situation properly. And I’m more than a little disturbed that your expectations for this weekend are vastly different from mine.”
I lean against the tiny round table pressed against the wall. “My expectation is that I’m your boyfriend for the next three nights.”
“Fakeboyfriend.”
My lips twitch. “Are you getting your panties in a twist because you’re losing? Because I distinctly remember you boasting about being immune to my charms.”
She swings around to face me. “I wouldneverdescribe your player instincts as charm.”
My grin increases.
Her eyes flare with annoyance. “You don’t get it.I’mthe one who has to come up with a breakup story once this is over.I’mthe poor sucker who needs to explain how you were smitten one minute then gone the next.”
“But isn’t that a perfect excuse? That I was too smitten for you. Too much man to handle.”
She glowers.
Fuck it’s cute. My dick agrees.
