Page 38 of Power Play

“What?”

“You haven’t—but you—I thought?—”

“I don’t sleep with women during the season.”

“And the offseason?”

“Haven’t been interested in anyone.”

She shifts on the couch and straightens out her legs before crossing them at her ankles. “Have you slept with a lot of women?”

“Depends on your definition of a lot. I wasn’t a fuck boy like some of my teammates, but I’ve had sex.”

“Were you—did they think you were good?”

“Yes,” I say, and her face turns red. “I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you have an exit survey? A rating scale from one to five? Maybe I could make one up for us if you agree to… to fuck me.”

“I’m not a boy, Piper. I don’t need surveys or ratings. I’m a man, and I know how to listen. Listening goes a long way, and it’s not difficult to do.”

She nods and wets her lips with her tongue. I try not to stare at her mouth. “What other rules were you thinking?”

“If we’re going to do this, we’re going to be exclusive. No one else is going to fuck you if I’m fucking you,” I say. “I’m not someone who likes to share. What’s mine is mine.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Piper looks at me, her gaze heated and heavy. “I could barely ask you to sleep with me. I don’t think I could do it again.”

“Good.” I rub my jaw. I agreed to join No Shave November with the rest of the guys, and the stubble on my cheeks scratches my palm. “I need to think about this for a few days. My priority is hockey. It’s what I’m paid to do. I’m not going to sacrifice the thing I love more than anything in this world for sex.”

Piper bobs her head. “There’s no rush. Thank you for even entertaining this idea. I know it’s farfetched, and I won’t be upset if you say no. I figured, why not? I’m doing all these other new things in my life. Might as well add good sex to the list too.”

“If I say no, will you ask someone else?”

“Um.” She taps her fingers on her thigh and shrugs. “Maybe? I haven’t gotten that far yet. I guess I will. I have nothing to lose. It’s not like my personal life can get any more pathetic.”

I grind my teeth together and nod. I really fucking hate the idea of someone else—like one of my goddamn teammates—touching her and gloating about it.

It tempts me to say yes on the spot, but I need to think with my head, not my dick. I need to consider the pros and cons about agreeing to her plan before I get too deep into a mess I can’t claw my way out of.

“I’ll text you what I decide.”

“Perfect.” Piper offers me a tentative smile and stands. “Have a good rest of your night, Liam. Thanks for the pizza.”

“Take the slices in the fridge for your lunch tomorrow.”

Her smile stretches wider. “I will. Thank you.”

She walks away, and when I hear the front door close behind her, I drop my head in my hands and groan.

Letting Piper sit on my couch for almost two hours might be the biggest mistake of my life, because I already know my answer is going to befuck yes.

TWELVE

PIPER

“Does anyone need more wine?What about cheese and crackers?”

“Will you sit down, Maven? You’ve been running around nonstop for the last hour, and that doesn’t include the fabulous dinner you served us.” Lexi tugs on her arm and pulls her onto the couch. “We can pour our own drinks.”

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