Page 32 of The Player

True friends stuck around through life changes. Guess she didn’t have any true friends.

‘Hey, you drifted off for a second.’ He touched her hand and a lick of heat travelled up her arm.

‘It’s more than a complication now I’m working for you and you know that,’ she said, re-evaluating the wisdom of working for him when his simple touch made her skin sizzle.

‘Co-workers have relationships all the time,’ he said, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb. ‘And don’t forget, the only reason you’re working for me is because you blackmailed me into giving you a job.’

‘Good point.’ She chuckled, proud for pulling that masterstroke. ‘So you’re trying to get into my pants again on a technicality?’

His thumb paused and his eyes widened in surprise. ‘Are you always this blunt?’

Not always. Most of her life she’d watched what she said and what she ate and what she wore, presenting a perfectly poised persona to the world, desperate no one saw behind the façade.

If she didn’t let people get too close they couldn’t hurt her. A motto she’d learned to live by the hard way.

So what was it about this guy that had her more relaxed than she’d ever been?

She took a sip of soda and shrugged. ‘We’ve seen each other naked. I don’t see the point in playing coy.’

He mouthed ‘wow’ and squeezed her hand before releasing it. ‘Okay, the least I can do is return the favour. I like you. You intrigue me. So while I’m in Melbourne, I’d like for us to see each other.’

Liza hadn’t seen that coming. She’d thought Wade might put the hard word on her for another night of rousing sex. No way did she expect a quasi-relationship for the time he was in town.

She was tempted. Seriously tempted. How long since she’d had great sex or indulged in genuine fun? Probably in the early Jimmy days, before the fame and the expectations associated with living up to the WAG label. She knew time spent with Wade would involve both sex and fun.

But what about Cindy and the lies she’d constructed to protect her?

If she started dating Wade, how long could she keep him from visiting her place? How long before her lies unravelled and her carefully constructed story came crashing down?

She couldn’t afford to have Qu Publishing renege on the contract, nor did she want to lose her first real marketing job.

Getting involved with Wade could compromise both.

‘Wade, I like you—’

‘I can sense a but coming.’ He winced and pretended to clutch his heart. ‘Give it to me straight. I’m a big boy, I can take it.’

She managed a wan smile. ‘But I don’t want to complicate our business arrangement.’

Disappointment downturned his mouth for a moment, before those lips she’d experienced over every inch of her body curved into a seductive smile.

‘I understand. You don’t know me that well. But the way Qu Publishing secured your book deal was by sheer persistence.’ He raised his glass in her direction. ‘I don’t give up easily. Challenge is my middle name.’

He clinked it to hers, his stare filled with wicked promise. ‘Don’t say I didn’t warn you.’

Chapter Fourteen

Liza had been in a quandary when Wade offered to drive her home.

She’d wanted to refuse because it had been bad enough having him charm her over a delicious dinner of green Thai chicken curry, slow-cooked garam masala beef, and exquisite peppered calamari.

But she’d wanted to get home fast so she could spend time with her Cindy before sister went to bed so she’d agreed. And was now ruing her impulsive decision as he walked her to the front door.

Politeness demanded she invite him in for a coffee.

Self-preservation demanded she get rid of him ASAP.

‘Thanks for dinner and driving me home,’ she said, juggling her handbag from one arm to the other, hoping he’d get the hint.

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