Page 135 of Power Play

Piper

Can I hang out with Pico?

Me

I’m offended you want to see my cat more than you want to see me.

Piper

Can you blame me? He’s cute and cuddly.

Me

And what am I?

Piper

You’re tolerable.

Me

Well played, Mitchell.

“Hi!”Piper wiggles out of her coat and hangs it on the rack in the foyer. “Sorry it took me so long to get here. I was at dinner with the girls. Traffic was a nightmare, and I had an Uber driver who wouldnotstop talking about the stock market.”

“Thinking of making some investments?” I lean against the wall and watch her shake off snowflakes from the ends of her hair. “Didn’t know you were into finance, Pipsqueak.”

“It’s only my favorite hobby.” She unzips her boots and puts them against the wall, next to my sneakers. Her smile is bright and wide. Her cheeks are a little pink from either the early February wind or the wine she had at dinner. “You look good.”

“My sweatpants and T-shirt do it for you?”

“You know what they say about sweatpants.” Piper saunters past me in her tights and skirt, heading for the living room. Her soft footsteps pad across the hardwood floor, and Pico peeks his head out of my bedroom. “Especially gray ones.”

“I don’t know what they say.” I sit next to her on the couch, watching Pico jump up and curl into her arms. “Care to enlighten me, Mitchell?”

“Big dicks and all of that,” she says, and I burst out laughing. She strokes the cat’s fur, her smile turning softer as she relaxes against the cushions. “Are you having a good night?”

“I made a cup of tea after dinner. Had a long shower. And now you’re here. I’d say we’re moving toward the average stage.”

“Did you hear that, Pico?” Piper whispers loud enough for me to hear. “Your dad thinks I’m average. Isn’t that sweet?”

“How was dinner with the girls?”

“So fun. Hanging out with them is the highlight of my week, honestly. Trying to coordinate four schedules is almostimpossible, but I’d give up time and energy in other parts of my life so I could see them.”

“I’m glad.” I rest my hand on her calf and yawn. “How much did you have to drink?”

“Only a glass of wine.” Her eyes turn a shade darker, and she bites her bottom lip. “It’s been a week since you fucked me, and I’m going out of my mind.”

“One time and she’s addicted,” I murmur, wrapping my fingers around her ankle and giving her leg a gentle tug. “Someone’s needy.”

“I only came here for Pico. And to talk about our trip next week.Notyou.”

“Mhm. Sure you did.”

“Are you excited to see your family?” Piper rests her head on my shoulder and brings her legs to her chest. Pico closes his eyes and settles into her embrace. “I can’t believe they haven’t come to a game this season.”

“They normally do, but my dad’s branch is understaffed, so getting time off to visit is difficult. I was going to head that way for Christmas until Coach put us through the hell with practices during the holidays, and I told my parents I’d make it up to them.”

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