Page 47 of Playing Flirty

“Oh, shush.” My cheeks heated, and I looked down, picking at my cuticles.

“I think it’s impressive,” William leaned in and whispered.

Pine and lavender. Intoxicating.

“By the way,” he continued, gesturing to the screen, “the characters in this game have different strengths and different goals and, therefore, have different routes to winning. I think that might be what we’re missing. At the moment, it’s far easier to win as a ruler or warrior.”

The gears turned in my head as I considered my game. “You’re onto something!” I said with more excitement than I’d anticipated. Then I spent the next few minutes rambling off ideas with no stop or pause button in sight.

But William received it all with a wide grin.

“So, when do you need to submit?” Shaun asked, sitting on the couch across from us.

“In about a month.”

He sighed. “Good, good. So both of you will have the capacity to focus on the wedding after that.”

“When is the wedding?” I asked. “Neema said you guys hadn’t agreed on a date yet.”

“Well, as of two hours ago, it’s about three months from today! Neema’s dream venue had a cancellation. It’s gonna be a weekday wedding, but we don’t wanna wait any longer.”

“Three months?” I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my calendar. My brain buzzed with scheduling as I made notes of all the appointments that needed shifting.

“Why’d you tell her now?” William turned his focus back to the screen. “Now she’s going to be stuck in her planning mode.”

“It’s the best mode.” Shaun offered me a nod of encouragement and sat next to me as we went through all the appointments I had scheduled for him too.

The apartment door opened, and Neema walked in already talking. “Rose, I hope you’re up to the challenge of throwing an amazing bachelorette party within three months?”

Hopping to my feet, I squealed. “Of course!”

“What are you planning?” Shaun asked, greeting Neema with a kiss.

“I can’t tell you our plans because that will ruin Neema’s surprise, but we’ll end up at VOX.” Neema and I shared a secret look that left my cheeks burning.

“We can meet you there after whatever William has planned?” Shaun asked.

William shrugged. “Sure. Doesn’t change my plans much.”

I wondered what he’d planned. Knowing William, he’d make sure everyone had as much fun as possible.

Turning to me, he pointed at Shaun, who was opening their wedding Pinterest board. “We may as well take advantage of them being distracted.” His hands breezed against my thigh while he packed away his console.

At this point, I wished I were a PlayStation controller.

I headed straight for the balcony, needing air or anything to cool my overheating body. “Going to discuss some bachelor party things,” I shouted at Neema and Shaun. “Stay out.”

The balcony door closed, and William reached me in three quick steps. He wasted no time, twirling me out of view and pressing my back against the wall before lifting me. My legs instinctively curled around his strong waist in a way I had been wanting since he’d peeled me off his lap a couple of days ago.

William’s warm lips landed on my neck, burning my skin with desire as he ran more soft, slow kisses across mycollarbone. His teeth nipped gently, sending lightning shocks throughout my body. A whimper escaped me, and he looked up with wide eyes, an even wider grin, and that cheeky dimple.

I needed that mouth on mine.

Using both hands, I cupped his jaw and pulled his face toward mine, kissing him as if it were our last opportunity. His body pressed against mine through the four thin layers of fabric separating us. I pulled him even closer, and he groaned, my name slipping through his lips. A name he so rarely used.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, running my fingers through his soft, messy hair. I didn’t know how to get enough of him. I wanted more from him, and he knew it.

Claire’s laughter from inside the apartment pulled me from my desperate thoughts, and I unwrapped my legs, cursing. William lowered me to the ground, a frustrated groan vibrating through his chest against mine. Our gazes met while we tried to catch our breath.

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