Page 123 of Power Play

I know. Now you’re it.

Get your ass over here.

AS A FRIEND.

“This was delicious.”I scrape my fork across my plate, wanting to get the last of the marinara sauce from the chicken parmesan he made. “How did you learn to cook so well?”

“My mom.” Liam puts a dirty pan in the sink and smiles. “She’s always in the kitchen. I remember the first time she let me cut up the carrots for chicken noodle soup one winter. There’s something cathartic about it to me. Maybe because it’s likehockey; it’s precise. Exact. You can’t skip ahead. That’s always been how my brain works.”

“If you were forced to cook only one meal the rest of your life, what would it be?”

“Pancakes. Breakfast for dinner is severely underrated.”

“I love pancakes.”

“Next time you’re over, I’ll make you some.”

“Talk about five star services. Orgasms. Food. Access to good healthcare.” I laugh and spin on the barstool. “I’m all set up with a new doctor. You were right about using your name, by the way. I felt a little slimy saying I was Liam Sullivan’s wife, but it’s too late to take it back now.”

“You’re using it for a good cause, not to get into a club or something.” He tosses a dirty napkin in the trash. “I made dessert too.”

“Wow. This is a full-fledged meal.” I jump off my seat at his kitchen island and slide up next to him. “What did you make?”

“Chocolate chip cookies. You always sneak a couple extra at team dinner… I thought they might be your favorite.”

“They are my favorite.” I grin and look up at him. “I’m wondering if you’re the one obsessed with me, Sullivan.”

“Consider this a mini lesson.”

“Oh, I like when you get into teacher mode. You should buy a pair of glasses.”

“Is roleplaying on your list of things to try?”

“I mean, maybe? I wouldn’t be opposed to it.”

“Then be quiet, Ms. Mitchell, so you can learn something,” he says sternly, and I practically melt. “A guy should be doing nice things for you in and out of the bedroom. They should be noticing things you enjoy. Places you like to be touched. Food you like to eat. It’s simple stuff, honestly.”

“And if they’renotnoticing these things?”

“Means they’re only in it for the sex and don’t see enough of a future with you to want to learn your likes and dislikes.”

“Wow. Okay. That’s important. What other lessons do you have for me?”

“You know what we’re doing tonight.”

His eyes turn dark and he threads his hand through mine. With a gentle tug, he leads me down the hall. I follow behind him, my breath sharp and shallow.

I knew this moment was coming.

I’ve been waiting for it.

Dreaming about it.

Counting down the seconds until we gothere, but I’m still nervous as hell. Trembling when he opens the door to his bedroom and guides me inside.

He was right when he told me there are emotions associated with sex, and I’mscared.

Scared that I won’t be good enough for him.

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