Page 54 of The Small-Town Seduction Plan

“Then we’ll go girls against guys,” I decide, stepping away from Duke’s embrace. I need to put some space between us, if I’m going to avoid that whole “jumping his bones” thing. “I’m a terrible player, so it’ll even out.”

“A little friendly competition, I like it,” Tessa agrees, leaning up to kiss Jackson on the cheek. “Prepare to crumbling in the face of my greatness, babe.”

“Oh, someone’ll be crumbling, alright,” Jackson teases back, clearly smitten. “But it’s not going to be us.”

We move to the corner and the game gets underway, full of good-natured smack talk and bragging between the happy couple. I’m content to sit back, and let them argue – and try not to let my team down, too badly.

“You’re holding it wrong.” Duke speaks up, watching me lining up a shot. Tessa and Jackson have gone to get another round, so we’ve been left alone at the pool table.

Well, about as alone as we can be, with half the room shooting speculative looks over at us, and snapping oh-so-subtle photos on their phones.

“You need to grip the pool stick lower,” Duke continues, looking amused. “And relax. If you’re too tense, you’ll strike the ball too hard.”

“Maybe this is all just part of my brilliant strategy,” I say lightly, leaning over. “Lulling you into a false sense of security, before I steal a win.”

I make the shot – and sure enough, send the cue ball ricocheting way across the table… Without sinking a single ball. “Like I said,” I grin. “I’m playing the long game.”

“Sure.” Duke grins back. “Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.”

He chalks his cue stick. “Any word on that audition tape?” he asks, approaching the table.

I shake my head. “It’s way too soon,” I tell him, trying to reassure myself. “I probably won’t hear anything for weeks.”

If she decides to watch it at all. It probably just went straight to the junk folder.

“Hey, don’t write yourself off just yet,” Duke says, as if reading my mind. “It’s been twenty-four hours. Wait at least a week before you lose all hope,” he adds with a grin.

“Hey!” I protest, but I’m laughing now.

“And look at it this way, at least you’ve got plenty of time to study up on your pool game,” he adds, shooting me a smirk. “Watch and learn from a master.”

Duke leans over, lining up his shot.

“A master, huh?” I muse, strolling around the table, so that I’m directly in his eyeline. Then I hop up to sit on the edge of a table, swinging my bare legs back and forth.

I’m wearing another dress tonight, printed with tiny roses, with spaghetti straps and a hem that flutters above my knees. At least, it does when I’m standing, but sitting here right now, the fabric just about covers my thighs.

Duke glances over, tracing the line of my long, tanned legs down to the little wedge sandals I have dangled off my toes.

His jaw tightens, and I feel a flash of triumph. “Go ahead,” I coo, “Show me what you’ve got… Master.”

Duke grips the stick, lines up… and shoots so hard, the ball jumps right off the table.

I throw my head back and laugh. “Now who’s the tense one?” I smirk, hopping down.

“It’s not a fair game with you looking like that,” Duke says, his gaze still hot.

I flush. “Life’s not fair, baby,” I declare lightly, moving to take my turn at the table. This time, I can’t help leaning into it as I get into position with the cue: sticking my ass out a little, and arching my back.

“Easy tiger.” Duke’s voice is low beside me, and then I feel his hands on my arm and shoulder, gently nudging them into place. “Just breathe.”

His touch sends heat rushing through me, like it’s burning an imprint into my skin. I inhale, wanting the moment to last, willing him to move even nearer; to close the distance between us and?—

“Who’s winning?”

Tessa and Jackson return, just as I strike the ball blindly, sending it slamming straight into the corner pocket.

“Not me!” I lurch up. “Bathroom break,” I add quickly. “I’ll be right back!”

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