Page 24 of Play the Game

But not because I’m trading him out for the perv behind me.

I turn toward Emory. He’s wearing a hat, likely because people are beginning to recognize him, but I can still see thechallenge in his blue eyes. “I’m not going into a private room with you,” I say quietly.

His lips twitch. “Yes, you are.”

“I amnotthat type of woman, despite where I work.” Anger heats my skin, and by the looks of it, Emory enjoys seeing me all riled up.

The breath leaves my lungs when his hands drag down my forearms and land on my hips. He pulls me in closer, and the entire Cat House disappears.

My heart races with his touch, and when he leans in closer to whisper in my ear, I black out. “You either go in that room with me, or I leave you with him, Rogue.”

I have to force myself to speak. “Rogue?”

A warm gust of his breath hits the side of my face with his deep chuckle. “Yes,Rogue.You’re my little swindler, Scottie, and don’t forget that you owe me.”

“And you think I’m going to pay you back with sex?!” I try to keep my voice down, but I’m near hysterics.

People are starting to stare at our embrace, and if I wasn’t so stubborn, I’d just follow him in that stupid room and refuse there, but I’m headstrong, and that’s something that will never change.

Emory tenses. “What? No.Jesus. Will you just trust me and accept that I’m trying to help you?”

“I don’t trust anyone.”

“Neither do I,” he snaps back. “Especially you. But you don’t have a choice. Your options are limited.”

I peek over my shoulder once more, and it only takes me half a second to succumb to Emory. “Fine,” I hiss.

Emory snorts. “That wasn’t so hard now, was it?”

I roll my eyes and his flare. The muscles along his jaw flicker before a swallow moves down his throat. “Now take my hand and lead me to one of the rooms.”

I do as he says but mumble under my breath. “You’re so bossy.”

“I’m not bossy. I just know what I want.”

A totally uncalled swarm of butterflies fills my stomach as I enter a completely make-believe world of utter bullshit where a guy like Emory Olson wouldeverwant a girl like me—one with enough baggage to weigh us both down to the point that we couldn’t even move a pinky toe.

Get a grip, Scottie.

Emory obviously wants something from me, and he’s already made it clear that it isn’t to force me into prostitution.

I quickly shake my head at Chastity when she gives me a strange look as I drag Emory to a private room. As soon as we’re inside, I drop his hand, and he shuts the door, locking it behind us.

It’s the same room we found ourselves in the first time he cornered me at my place of employment. I guess that’s our thing. I cornered him at the hockey arena, and he’s cornering me at the strip club. What a pair.

I gulp as soon as he turns toward me. His ego takes up the entire room, and I want to beg for some space to breathe, but he doesn’t even give me an inch.

“Cameras,” I blurt.

He flips his hat backward and shows off each one of his stony features. “What?”

I flick my chin to the corner of the room. “There are cameras in here, so if you try anything, I’ll have proof.”

Emory drops his head and laughs under his breath. “You’re all about proof, aren’t you, Rogue?”

The insult stings because I’m not proud of what I did—or attempted to do—but it’s warranted, so I say nothing.

Emory slowly stalks toward me, and I stay completely still. If I were locked in this room with anyone else, I’d panic. Ihardly know Emory, and there is some hesitation lingering, but he doesn’t stir up unwanted memories of being in a locked room with a stranger. I don’t feel safe, but I don’t feel threatened either.

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