Page 71 of Power Play

I nearly come on the spot.

“Stop being difficult. I’m trying to spend time with you out in public, not just get you naked every chance I get, even if it is my favorite thing to do,” I groan.

“Fine.” She pouts but turns her body in my lap so she can see me better, a smile on her face. “Then how was your day, sweetie?” she asks.

“It was fucking phenomenal until this hot little pain in my ass kept teasing me,” I joke, tickling her sides quickly. The giggle that falls from her mouth is pure joy. It’s interesting to me just how quickly we’ve fallen into this... relationship? Situationship?

“No, to be honest, it’s been a great day. I spent some time with Rory before she got picked up by my mom for the weekend. I planned a lunch with my mom for tomorrow, then I had a little fun before the game, which, as you know, we won. So, all in all, it’s been pretty perfect if you ask me. Even if you are a little tease.”

“I’m not sure what you mean, I’m just sitting right where you put me,” she replies, doing her best job at feigning innocence.

“Hey, I wanted to ask. Are you okay after what you overheard in my office?” I ask.

Sawyer takes a moment, thinking over my question before smiling. “Yeah, I’m good. It’s frustrating, but I’m trying not to let his opinion of my life impact me. It’s his issue, not mine.”

“That’s hard to do when it’s your family, but I’m glad you are. You’re too fucking badass of a lady to let someone tell you otherwise,” I tell her, surprising both of us.

“Apparently, I’m meeting Max and my mother for Sunday dinner this week. I guess I’ll find out for sure what that conversation was about,” she says with a sigh.

“Are you two going to keep whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears, or are you going to share with the class? We’re all sitting here on pins and needles,” Cassie practically shouts from the booth, causing the guys to laugh.

“I’m more than happy to share with the class, Cassie. I was just—” before I can finish my sentence, Sawyer has her hand over my mouth.

“Yeah, not happening. Moving on,” Sawyer tells us, her face heating with embarrassment.

“Ooh, must’ve been juicy. She rarely blushes,” Cassie adds on.

“Who’s down to come play pool? We can play teams?” I ask everyone, trying to draw attention away from Sawyer as soon as I sense her discomfort.

“I’ll play,” Miles says, sliding out from the booth.

Looking around, I see that Cassie and Cade are listening to a story Harris is telling them, while Trevor is messaging someone on his phone. He’s in a whole different world.

“Yo, Trevor,” I shout, getting his attention. “You’re up. We’re playing teams.”

“Yeah, I’ll be right there. Go set it up while I finish,” he says, nodding towards his phone.

Walking over to the pool table with Sawyer, I can’t help but pull her close to me, loving the feeling of her melting into my side like it’s carved out just for her. The smile on her face as she leans in should be a warning sign. A red flag. My normal sign that it’s time to move on. Instead, it has me making plans.

“Are you free tomorrow morning?” I ask as she starts to rack the balls.

“Yeah, what were you thinking?”

“I was thinking I’d like to take you on an actual date. We could do breakfast?”

Sawyer stops what she’s doing and walks over to me, surprising me with a kiss. “I’d love that, Rex. Just tell me when.”

“Stay with me tonight. Rory’s gone. We can head back and watch a movie, then do breakfast in the morning.”

Sawyer bites her bottom lip, thinking for a moment before nodding her head yes.

“Yeah, that’ll work. I just need to make sure Cassie gets home safe,” she says.

“I’ve got that handled,” Trevor says, openly eavesdropping. “Sorry, I just walked up and couldn’t help but overhear. It’s no problem for us to get her home. It’s not like it’s out of the way. Rex, I know you don’t get a ton of free nights, so enjoy it.”

“Thanks, man,” I smile, turning to watch as Miles prepares to break.

We play two games, both of which Sawyer and I completely destroy Trevor and Miles, resulting in the others refusing to play against us again.

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