Page 34 of The Games We Play

“Naomi, this is Seamus. He is in charge of my security team. He’s grumpy,” Ember says fluidly, like it’s part of my name.

My neck swivels in her direction and I pin her with a grumpy look to match her ridiculous introduction.

“Oh, don’t I know it.” Mimi giggles at Ember, then says, “Hi, Seamus.”

Goddammit. I hate how my name on her lips affects me. It’s like an instant shot of adrenaline straight to my dick.

I turn to look at Mimi again.

It’s like I’m watching a tennis match, as my neck pivots between the two of them, as I’m trying to break down this scene and decipher what the hell is going on.

I would ask, but less is always more. Most people give you all the information you need without even having to ask.

“Do you guys know each other?” Ember’s brow furrows as she looks between us, but my gaze is still focused solely on Mimi’s gorgeous face.

Her pouty lips are a glossy pink tint, and she’s wearing minimal makeup, showing off her naturally gorgeous features.

The normal blanket of dark, luscious hair is pulled up in a messy bun with wispy strands framing her high cheekbones.

“Yeah, we do, actually.” Mimi cocks her head to the side with a slight raise to her eyebrows. If her facial expression were words, they would say something like,test me asshole.

Since I’m not interested in that, I remain quiet. I’d like to see what she is going to say, so I pin her with a reflection of her own expression.

What is she going to say?

He’s my neighbor.Fine.

We met as kids at camp.Okay.

My first love.I fucking hope so.

So, I raise my eyebrows back at her with a smirk, testing her back.

“He takes my yoga class every morning.” She looks at me deadpan.

My face drops.

That… I was not fucking expecting.

Her gorgeous, smug smile is on full display, and only I can read the hidden smirk behind it.

“Seamus, you do yoga?” Ember's exaggerated tone is as accusatory and shocked as they come.

What? Because I’m a large, muscular guy with military experience and no facial expressions, I can’t enjoy yoga? I would ask her why the judgment, but I don’t feel like getting into that now.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I attempt to calculate my response. I know there is only one way to go here.

Keeping my eyes locked on Mimi’s, I finally reply.

“Favorite part of my day.”

“Well, aren’t you full of surprises?” Ember replies, then asks, “Not that I need confirmation, because I can tell she’s fabulous and I’m already going to bring her on, but how are her classes?”

“Amazing,” my reply is instant. “I experience the ultimate release during her practice.” Her eyes are unable to hold mine as she looks away. Her cheeks flush and she bites the corner of her lip, and it takes all my willpower not to yank her into one of these private rooms immediately.

Wait a minute.

I cross a look over to Ember. “What do you mean,bring her on?”

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