Page 40 of Power Play

“And by coach you mean?—”

“Sex and everything that comes with it.”

“Did he sayyes?” Maven asks.

“Not yet, and I’m mortified. It’s been a week. He hasn’t paid any attention to me. He won’t even look my way, and I know the answer is going to be no. Why else would he drag it out for so long?”

“Can we pretend he says yes for a minute? Let’s imagine there’s a world where he agrees to help you.” Lexi grins. “You’re going to sleep withLiam.”

“This is a safe space, so I know there won’t be any judgment. I love my husband very much.” Maven sets her water down. She cracks her knuckles and laughs. “But I can’t help but be curious about Liam. I’ve always thought he’d be the best on the team in bed. A little freaky, maybe. The perfect amount of roughness without hurting you. He’d be big on consent, which is so fuckingsexy, and he doesn’t strike me as someone who would be very selfish, if you know what I mean.”

“Honey, we all know what you mean,” Lexi says.

“I think that’s why I went to him,” I admit quietly. “He’s a little rough around the edges and nearly impossible to read, but I know he’d take care of me. I know I’d be safe with him. I wouldn’t be a conquest or a notch in his belt. He wouldn’t brag to the team. He’s always been determined; he wouldn’t stop until he had a hundred percent success rate with me.”

I don’t want to tell the girls I’ve been thinking about him since I stopped by his apartment, but I have.

I still remember when he caged me in against the wall and his voice turned rough.

I still remember the flash of heat behind his eyes when I originally told him about my idea.

Liam Sullivan has been on my mind, and there’s a part of me that’s desperate to feel his hands on my body. To know what he tastes like, what he sounds like. How meticulous and careful he’d be in the bedroom and if he’s as good as he claims he is.

I already know the answer, and it makes me want him even more.

“This is a big deal, Piper. Are you two going to date? Are you going to tell the team?” Maven asks, the voice of reason I need in my biased thoughts.

“No. We’re going to pretend to date for his sister’s wedding, but there wouldn’t be a romantic relationship—only a physical one. And I wouldn’t tell the team. I don’t want them to think differently of me because of who I may or may not be sleeping with. I’ve worked so damn hard to get where I am, and I don’t want to throw that away.”

“They wouldn’t treat you differently,” Emmy assures me. “Look at me and Mav. We were together when I was on the team, and no one cared. They were happy for us, and the boys bug meon a daily basis asking when they’re going to have a niece or nephew. If Liam starts walking around with a smile on his face, they’re going to have questions.”

“That’s a good point. And is he going to sleep with other people?” Maven asks. “Are you?”

“No. It would be exclusive.”

“You have to tell us when you hear from him,” Lexi says.

“I’m not going to get my hopes up. I’ve actually already written the idea off. It’ll be fine. I’m not in head over heels for the guy. Maybe—” My phone buzzes on the table, cutting me off. I grab it and find a text from Liam. “Oh, shit. It’s him.”

I slide my thumb across the screen, bracing myself.

Liam

My apartment. Friday at 6 pm.

Me

Is this a yes to what I asked?

Liam

Yes.

Me

Cool. See you then!

My hands are shaking as I stare at my phone. It’s silent on the other end, and I don’t know why I expect another message to come through. This isLiamwe’re talking about, a man of few words and even fewer emotions.

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