Page 50 of The Long Game
“Isn’t that the exact plot of a movie? I swear I watched a movie like that with my parents.”
Rose laughed. “You’re right! That’sNotting Hill. Okay, not a bookstore. Maybe a...flower shop. There. Totally different.”
“I wish I knew a nice flower shop owner. I’d introduce you.”
“Keep your eyes open. I’d also accept a baker. I love bread.”
“I miss bread,” Shane said wistfully.
“God, I’ll bet. Is it worth it, though? Does the clean eating make you feel better?”
Shane frowned at his bowl of kale. “I keep saying it does, but it might be the discipline that makes me feel better, not the food.”
Rose’s mouth dropped open in exaggerated shock. “Wow. This just turned into therapy.”
“Sorry. Ignore me.”
“No way. Tell me all about how much you likediscipline.”
“Shut up. It’s not a sex thing.”
“Hm.”
“It’s not! I like to practice discipline and self-control, and be rewarded for it. That’s all.”
“That still sounds like it could be a sex thing.”
Shane rolled his eyes. “Eat your poke.”
“Is that an order,sir?” she asked in a husky voice.
“Holy fuck! That doesn’t even make sense. Wouldn’tIbe the submissive one in this fantasy you’re making up?”
Rose cackled while Shane wished he could disappear. The truth was, hedidlike it when he and Ilya played a bit with discipline in the bedroom. Shane wasn’t into punishment, or shame, but he loved it when Ilya made things...challenging. And then rewarded Shane for it.
“I’m sorry,” Rose said gleefully. “You’re just so fun to tease.”
“I’ve been told.”
Late in the afternoon, Rose dropped Shane off at his hotel. She hugged him as they stood next to her car and told him she’d be at his game the next night.
“Oh yeah?” Shane said.
“I’ll be in a box, wearing a Montreal jersey.”
“That’ll cause a scene.”
“Maybe the paps will think we’re back together.”
Well, that wouldn’t hurt. Except Ilya would never let him hear the end of it. “I’ll see you...someday,” Shane said. His heart felt heavy. He really wished she lived closer to him.
“Soon,” she promised. “I fly to Romania on Monday to start shooting a movie that I already know will be terrible, but maybe we can meet up somewhere after that.”
“Definitely.”
She hugged him again and said, quietly against his ear, “Say hi to Ilya for me.”
“Okay.”
