Page 60 of Playing Flirty

“I’m fine.”

I looked at William again, wondering how his body was so chiseled. I’d never seen him working out. He was always sitting on this damned couch.

He stretched his arms behind his head and flexed. It was so intentional I burst out laughing. A half beat later, his laughter joined mine.

Neema snapped her head toward William. “Don’t make her laugh.” She turned back to me and shot me a stern look. “And don’t move your face.”

Much to my disappointment, William raised his hands in surrender and left the room.

Oh, but he wasn’t done yet. Of course not. He returned a few moments later wearing a pair of fitted black jeans and carrying his shirt. Walking to the closet, he removed the ironing board with slow, deliberate movements. My eyes memorized the way his back muscles moved.

What a back, what a good-looking back.

“There!” Neema surveyed her work with a grin. “That should do it.”

Satisfied with my makeover, she slipped into the bathroom to wash all her brushes. The second she turned on the water, William’s gaze met mine over the back of Shaun’s head, urging me to join him in the kitchen. In only a few weeks, we’d mastered the art of speaking without saying a word.

“I’m gonna wash these,” I told Shaun, gathering the mugs.

“Don’t worry about it. Neema will kill me if you mess up your dress,” Shaun said. “Are you excited for the date?”

“Coffee. It’s just coffee,” I corrected. “I’m gonna wash up. You do it at our place all the time.”

Never in my life have I insisted on doing the dishes.

Who am I?

Shaun shrugged and turned his attention to the TV as I joined William in the kitchen.

Setting the mugs in the sink of soapy water, I ran a sponge over one of them. William crowded behind me, the heat from his skin so close I could feel it on mine. His body pushed closer, pressing against me until my nerves fluttered in response. He ran wet kisses below my ear, moving his lipsalong my jaw before cupping my chin in one strong hand and tilting my face toward him for better access to my mouth.

After a second of pleasure, I pulled my hands out of the soapy water and pushed him away, frantic to be sure Shaun couldn’t see us. Thankfully, he was absorbed in a meme compilation on TV. And the bathroom door was still closed with Neema behind it.

This was risky. Which somehow made it better.

I admired William’s bare chest up close, running my fingers along every contour, of which there were many.

“Why did you want me here?” I asked in barely a whisper.

“I don’t want you to forget about me when you’re with him.” With one hand, he lifted the edge of my dress and ran the backs of his fingers along my thigh in light, caressing circles, teasing my flesh until tiny bumps rose along my skin. A whimper escaped me, and I slammed my mouth shut as his hand traveled higher.

Curling his lip on one side in a devious grin, William gazed down at me and winked. Then, dropping his hand, he took two steps back and returned to the ironing board.

I closed my eyes and cursed. Because English had abandoned me and curse words were the only words that came to mind. Damn him—my entire body vibrated with desire at a frequency that may very well shatter these mugs.

Furious, I turned to the sink and washed the dishes. They’d shine so brightly when I was done that the next person who used them would be blinded.

Round 20

How was the date?” Shaun asked, leaning against my desk the next morning. “Neema said you weren’t interested, and she can’t understand why.”

The date started and ended with me thinking about William.That was why. And I had no doubt every date with anyone else would end in the same way.

But I couldn’t tell Shaun that.

“I’m not attracted to him.” I shrugged, taking my seat and setting up my laptop.

Shaun nodded. “Pity. He’s great—smart and kind. Perfect for you.” He tutted and changed the subject. “What about the year-end party? Are you coming solo or do you have someone in mind?”

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