Page 43 of Playing Flirty

I dropped the game onto the table before closing the balcony door behind me, separating us from the rest of the world. “So, you’ll have to show me how online dating works.”

He looked up, his eyes dark. “Nope. You can do that on your own.”

“Why?” I bristled.

“Because that’s not part of our game.” He tucked his phone into his pocket, a challenge spreading across his handsome face.

The out-loud acknowledgment ofourgame set me alight. Had I heard him correctly?

I blinked twice, and a wicked expression crossed his face as he registered my speechlessness. He patted the space beside him with a smile so smug that it tore at the part of me that needed to win.

If life was a game, I couldn’t resist playing.

Sitting next to him, I leaned toward him and whispered, “Maybe when you’re done showing me how to make that game better”—I pointed at my game on the table—“you can show me how to makethisgame better too.”

His eyes widened, and I was tickled by his shock.

He turned to face me, his mouth far too close to mine and his eyes changing dangerously between light and dark.

Did I misread that? Does he think I’m a joke?

When he said nothing, I sprang to my feet, but he was faster, sandwiching me between his hard body and the railing. A shiver traveled down my spine and settled in the depths of my stomach, and not because of the cold metal pushed against my back.

With his tan arms outstretched on either side of me and the muscles in his arms flexing, he leaned down and whispered, “I have a few comments on this game too.” His voice was thick, his breath tickling my ear and slipping down my neck. I wished it were his lips.

What am I doing?

My brain screamed, telling me to stop.It’s William, your best friend’s brother!

But my body—my body wanted something else as I looked into onyx eyes that invited me—dared me—to do something. William’s attention on my mouth, on my lips, on my every move, left me feeling alive and… sexy. Something I hadn’t felt in months, years even.

I knew I shouldn’t play this round, but I wanted to.

So I did.

Before I could change my mind, I lifted my hips toward him, grinding upward ever so slightly until I felt him pressed against me. Lava spiraled from my midsection throughout my body. His already-dark eyes turned black, and a groan at the back of his throat had me dropping down to my heels.

“Oof.” He pushed himself back and ran a hand through his hair and down his neck. His chest rose and fell. “I forgot my notebook.”

My pounding heart made me dizzy. Spinning around, I inhaled a deep breath, forcing oxygen into the depths of my soul as I tried to clear my mind. I gripped the metal rail and lifted a hand to my hot cheeks, hoping I could cool them down before he returned. But it was no use. My body was awake and waiting for him.

William walked back onto the balcony and held up the little notebook before closing the door behind him. I wanted to throw that notebook into the ocean and continue doing whatwe had been doing, otherwise I’d have to throw myself into the ocean to cool down.

“We don’t have much time.” He took a seat beside the game. “We should get started on this.”

I nodded, confusion sneaking in. I was afraid speaking would give away how little control I had over my voice.

We spent the next hour deciphering the rules from my brain, and though William’s tone was even and calm the entire time, I couldn’t help noticing his reddened cheeks and the way his eyes traveled from my lips to my chest.

I avoided looking at his mouth and used all my energy to process what had just happened. WhatIhad done and how good it felt. How natural.

William read another note out loud and then bit down on his lip—and the truth was, I wanted to bite that lip.

I swallowed hard. This wasn’t a good idea.

“Best man and best woman,” Neema yelled, flinging the door open, “we want to ask you about wedding stuff. How much longer?”

William’s long fingers leafed through his notes, and he blew out a breath. “We won’t finish tonight anyway. Her game needs a lot of work.”

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