Page 95 of Playing Pretend
I won’t push her. Not anymore.
If she isn’t ready to see past our friendship, I can’t hold that against her. I’ll just keep biding my time, pretending I’m unfazed when she moves on… Starts dating… Falls in love.
I’ll wait as long as it takes.
She cuts the engine, burying my hopes for our future along with it.
I stand tall as she unclasps her belt and slowly climbs out. I pretend I’m not devastated. That she isn’t destroying me. I mask my ruin, pushing that shit deep down to deal with over a bottle of Macallan once she’s gone.
“Something wrong?” I feign ignorance.
She comes to stand before me, her skin pale in the moonlight. “I can’t do this.”
Bingo.Fuck me and my incredibly clear insight.
I nod, shoving my hands into my pockets. “It’s okay. I’ll give you some time.”
“No.” She shakes her head. “I can’t dothis.” She waves a theatrical hand toward her car. “I can’t leave and meet later. I can’t pack an overnight bag.” She nibbles her lower lip, her eyes pleading. “I’m sorry, Rome.”
“Don’t be. You do what you need to do, and I’ll be here if you change your mind.”
“You’re not listening.” She grasps my shirt, dragging me into her. “I don’t mean that I can’t do this.” She places a palm against my chest. “My problem is the thought of a meal while my stomach is a whirlpool of anxiety. I don’t want to wait. I need to get this done.”
I snort a surprised laugh as relief consumes me. “Never has a man been more flattered than I am in this moment.”
“I didn’t mean it as an insult. You’re not the only one who’s waited years.” She leans against her car door. “All I’m saying is that a sit-down meal with curated conversation isn’t the right way for us. My nerves will make it impossible to eat, let alone talk.”
“Then what’s the right way?” I lean into her. “Tell me what you want.”
“I want you.” Her fingers entwine with my shirt, tug, tug, tugging me closer until our lips are a breath apart.
“Be more specific.” I restrain myself from resting my hips against hers, my dick already throbbing for contact. “Paint a picture.”
She bites her bottom lip. Silent.
“Don’t go shy now, little Pip. Tell me exactly how fast and furious you want this to be.” I close in until we’re almost nose to nose. “Do you want to grind against my thigh again, this time in the middle of the street?”
She sucks in a breath.
“Or would you prefer if I dropped to my knees and we gave my neighbors a proper show?”
“That’snotgoing to happen.” She tugs my shirt harder in warning.
I brush my cheek against hers to murmur in her ear. “But it’s dinnertime and I’m ready to eat.”
She chuckles. “My anatomy isn’t on the menu.”
“It’s definitely on mine.”
“Take me inside, Rome.”
I kiss her neck and slide my palms over her ass. “And do what? Tell me what I need to do for this to be done the right way.”
She drags me closer, leaving no space between her and my dick. “You’re going to fuck me.”
I groan, my cock throbbing. “Say it again.”
She grinds against my length. “Please fuck me, Rome.”
