Page 31 of Don't Game Me

“What would it cost for you to play Leia these days, Becca?” She couldn’t define how the way he said her name made her feel, but never in her life had a man saying her name felt so sexual.

“I’m sure the price could be negotiated, but it won’t come cheap.” Tingles shot up her arm where his thumb caressed the palm of her hand. Her heart thumped hard.

“I’d enjoy that negotiation.”

A bolt of lust blasted through her veins as heat poured into her core. A tremble rocked her body.

Her cell phone dinged the herald of an incoming text. She jumped, ripping her hand out of his. Ice shuddered through her as she excavated her phone from her bag. She didn’t want to look, but she had to.

“Who is it?” Disappointment flared in his gaze when she glanced up.

Pascal:Tick tock.

“Nothing.”

“Whatever it is ruined an interesting conversation.”

“We have to get going.” She busied herself clearing the table, but she couldn’t keep her eyes off the angles of his body.

You are in so much trouble.

9

Jake maneuvered through the intense city traffic. Something wasn’t right with Becca. She kept chewing on the inside of her cheek and checking her phone.

Her phone dinged with another incoming message. A quick glance her way found her clutching the phone and pale.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

She typed for a moment before glancing up. “What?”

“Bad message? Was it from your mom or something?”

“Mom?” She glanced at the phone in confusion. “No. Other stuff.”

He pulled into the valet circle of her hotel and cleared his throat to get her attention. “We’re here. What would make the most sense is if you run up and change while I wait.”

“Don’t you need to change too?” The valet opened the door for her.

“I’ve got my suit in the trunk. I’ll change at the church.”

“Come up and change in the room. It’s not a big deal.”

Yes, it is a big deal. The intimacy of changing clothes in proximity to her, of partial nakedness, wasn’t a game plan he could handle. Sweat broke out across his back. “I’ll be fine.”

“Grab your stuff and valet the car.” She cocked her head.

“Yesterday…we can’t go there again.”

“You think I’m suggesting we have a quickie before the rehearsal? We’re already pressed for time, and you’ve made it crystal clear you think us involved is tantamount to the apocalypse.” She rolled her eyes and got out of the car.

“That’s not what I said. Today and yesterday we shouldn’t have—”

“Stop,” she interrupted. She leaned into the car to glare at him. “We kissed. It was hot. I won’t lie about that. I don’t regret it. If anything had happened, it might’ve been pretty good. But at this point I get it. We’re not going to do anything about it, and we’re not going to the wedding together because you have hang-ups. There’s no reason you have to be seen with me more than is necessary for this wedding. You know what, don’t wait for me. Go on. I’ll take a cab to the rehearsal.” She slammed the door.

“Whoa. Wait up, Becca,” he called as he hopped out of the car. She didn’t pause her march into the hotel. He popped his trunk to grab the suit bag and threw his keys at the valet. He grabbed the valet ticket and jogged after Becca, catching her before the elevator doors closed.

She punched the button for her floor and moved to the far end of the car, putting as much space between them as possible. The elevator car headed upward.