Page 59 of Playing Flirty

Grinning, I shrugged and handed her the bag I’d brought along. “What do I need to worry about when I have you to dress me?”

Rolling her eyes, she rummaged through everything I’d brought along, holding each piece up in front of her and studying it long enough to let me know how seriously she was taking her task.

Shaun went off to the kitchen to prepare a pot of coffee.

Standing, Neema abandoned the bag and approached me before pushing my hair away from my face.

William’s bedroom door clicked open, and my head snapped in his direction, taking him in. His messy hair stood out on one side, his rumpled shirt looked like he’d awoken from a nap, and his checkered pajama pants hung low on his hips. He’d never looked better.

“I’m surprised you’re awake,” Shaun said to him. “You haven’t slept properly in days.”

“I have some more work to do.” William’s eyes met mine before he slipped into the bathroom.

My body buzzed. Was I the work? Did he have actual work? Did he remember he’d asked me to come over?

The sound of rushing water filled my ears, and I couldn’t help but picture William in the shower. People were naked when they showered. Very naked. Fully naked.

Rose, snap out of it.

Neema held up a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. “Try this.”

“I’m not getting undressed here.”

A light laugh from the kitchen made me look up at Shaun.

“I don’t think she meant in front of us, Rose.” Shaun gestured toward his bedroom. “You can use my room.”

I grabbed the clothing and walked into his room. It was the complete opposite of William’s—neat and orderly with a few photos of Neema and his parents and a few business management books. Much like his office cubicle.

After slipping into the chosen outfit, I walked back to the living room and spun around, knowing Neema would demand it.

She nodded and then held up the white dress I’d brought. “Okay, now this one.”

This time when I walked out of the bedroom, William was also exiting the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. I stopped suddenly, afraid if I took another step I’d slip on my own drool.

William’s shoulders appeared wider with nothing hiding them, and his tan chest and arms seemed bigger with every muscle revealed. His hair was still wet, sending droplets of water racing down his chest and through the center of his abdominal muscles before disappearing into the towel around his waist.

The towel. That damned towel. The thing protecting his dignity and saving me from going feral.

He cleared his throat, and my head shot up in time to catch his smirk. Of course, this was part of his game.

Without changing out of the towel, William sat on the couch and stretched his long legs in front of him. I swallowed hard—he definitely hadn’t skipped leg day.

“Ew, William.” Neema scrunched her nose. “Get dressed.”

“I want to help pick an outfit.” He flashed his dimple, and his muscles danced as he crossed his arms over his chest.

My cheeks heated, watching him watch me.

“Whatever.” Neema blew out a breath and began fussing with my hair, trying to tame the riotous mess of waves that defied her efforts. After a long while and what must’ve been a full bottle of detangling spray, she released my long black hair into a gentle cascade of curls down the center of my back.

William shifted, and the towel moved, but not enough to reveal anything. “I like the dress.” William bit down on his bottom lip, his gaze raking across me.

I’d thought the dress was a modest and safe choice. It landed only slightly above my knee and cinched at the waist, and the neckline barely showed anything, but William’s obvious desire had me feeling completely exposed. An electric current shot straight from his dark eyes, leaped across the coffee table and beyond the dress, meeting me—touching me—right in the center of my chest. I could feel his need, and I wanted nothing more than to climb onto his lap and live there.

My mind wandered to what we’d do if we were alone. I’d rip off that towel no sooner than he’d tear off this dress. I wanted to touch every inch of his skin and then drag my lips across his damp flesh as my fingers slid through his dripping hair. My body pulsed at the thought, and I was moments away from begging him to put me out of my misery.

“I agree,” Neema commented, clearly surprised. “Now, let me fix this face. You’re looking a bit flushed. Are you okay?”