Page 98 of Play for Power (Central Sparks #3)

ONE-ISH MONTH AFTER CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Rosie

“Thank you so much for doing this.” Riley looks downright flustered.

“You really don’t need to thank me.” I chuckle at her as she ushers me into her loft or apartment or whatever you call this warehouse-style building. She skips ahead in the direction I assume is her room, and I follow, lugging my bag of supplies behind me.

“So, tell me about tonight,” I ask while focusing on unloading all my things in her room, the bag of makeup, hair products, and the overflowing garment bag full of the very best designer clothes.

“Well, Josh wants to take me on this surprise date, he said I needed to be all fancy or whatever. But I don’t own fancy things. I live in jeans and cutoffs, or I’m in baggy T-shirts or crop tops. Dresses are just…I don’t know, they never work.”

“Well, you’re shopping in all the wrong places because dresses would look killer on you.

You have the perfect tits and long legs.

And with your dark hair and dark green eyes, a bright pink slip with thigh exposure would bring a man to his knees.

” I give her an appreciative once-over and nod to myself, happy with the clothing selections I had packed.

“But I know you’re not one for dresses, so I actually found a pantsuit, it’s hot pink and comes with a white lace corset for under the blazer.

That and some fuck-me heels should work. ”

Riley’s eyes blow wide with an enthusiastic smile, clapping her hands and basically bouncing on the spot where she stands.

We get right to work. Grateful she’s already showered and washed her hair, I put a few light waves into it before pinning and tying it up in a high pony, moving on to her face.

“So, tell me why we’re trying so hard for tonight?” I press while applying her base.

“I just want him to be impressed is all.” She shifts uncomfortably, her eyes semi-closed as her fingers fidget in her lap.

“You want to impress your boyfriend?” I pull back a bit, really looking at her and noting the way she nibbles on her lips and pulls on her fingernails.

Girl is super anxious. “I thought the whole point of getting to the boyfriend stage meant they were already impressed…that you didn’t have to work as hard.

” Happy with her foundation, I move on to her contour and blush.

Riley is lucky, in that her complexion has a natural glow to it; she doesn’t need a full coverage face beat, just a little extra to emphasize her stunning features.

“Sometimes…” She clears her throat, and I pull the brush away from her face so she can continue. “I don’t know, it’s probably just stupid.”

“It’s not stupid, tell me.” I try to keep it lighthearted, going back to my work on her face.

“Well…I guess it just feels like he’s always got one foot out the door, you know?

I really like him, but I just get the feeling I always need to work to keep his attention or it’ll go somewhere else.

I don’t know. Is that normal?” She looks up at me then.

Her big green eyes are so dark and it’s a strange comparison to her older sister, whose are incredibly bright.

Riley’s eyes are dark enough that without any direct sun they’d almost look black.

“Girl, I have no idea. I’m new to this whole boyfriend thing.

” I sigh, switching out brushes and palettes, moving to work on her eyes.

“Close,” I instruct, and she does so, while I think a little more before speaking.

I don’t want to put ideas in her head, I mean, I’m no relationship expert, that’s for sure, but…

“I do know that I have never had to fight for Caleb’s attention.

Even before we were really dating. I think I could turn up to his place in a baggy shirt, with two-day-old makeup on, wearing socks and slides, and that man would still get on his knees for me.

” Riley chuckles a little, but I don’t miss the way her eyebrows pucker slightly.

“If I’m honest, Riles, if it feels like he has one foot out the door…

he probably does. Maybe you shouldn’t give yourself over so freely to someone who doesn’t know your worth.

” I let the words finish quietly and Riley slowly opens her eyes, a little sadness resting in them, but she’s quick to smile and cover it, clearing her throat and jerking her head.

“Well, anyway, I think he’ll really like this.

” She smiles and I return it, though it kind of breaks my heart a little.

This precious angel just wants to be the light of someone’s eye and she’s wasting her time on someone who sounds like he belongs in that same cesspool Dick-bag Daniel disappeared into.

I don’t push her on it though; she’s a big girl and she can make her own decisions. Instead, I remain impartial and finish off her makeup.

With a fresh face beat and her hair styled to perfection, I give Riley the outfit and shoes and leave her to get changed.

“I’ll wait for you out there.” I flick her hair over her shoulders, but before I spin, she grips my hand.

“Thank you…for doing this. Really. I didn’t know who else to call.

I really appreciate it.” She gives me another one of her award-winning smiles before spinning and heading for the bathroom down the hall.

This time it’s my turn to clear my throat and shake my head, feeling slightly uncomfortable with all those emotions.

I’ll have to mention something to Addy so she checks on her sister.

For all the playful charm and joy that girl exudes, she seems to have an awful track record with her girlfriends.

I make it out to the kitchen. Both Lucas and Damen seem to have disappeared today, so I help myself to a glass of water and then let my nosiness get the better of me as I go through all their drawers.

Turns out Lucas—or one of the guys—is a big fan of records.

My sleuthing doesn’t last long enough to find an actual record player though.

After a minute or so I hear the heels clip into the room, so I spin and gasp.

“Girl! Look at you! Oh my god, you’re stunning.” I grin, putting down my glass and heading in her direction to get a better look.

Her smile is radiant as she does a little spin.

The pink pantsuit fits her like a glove, hugging her in all the right places and sending her legs to heaven.

The white corset peeks out at where her blazer splits, and the cleavage is enough to make even me drool.

She dramatically flicks her hair over her shoulders, giving me an exaggerated model pose.

“You think so?” she asks with a playful sigh. She knows she looks killer.

“Honestly, if that man doesn’t end up with both feet and his dick in this relationship, you better dump his ass.

” It was meant to be playful, but I see the worry register across her face.

“Hey, you look beautiful, and not that you should have to dress up to look that way, but I’m sure Josh will think so too.

” I grab her arms, squeezing for emphasis, and she smiles brighter, just as the front door opens.

“Rosie?”

“Hey!” I wave a hello. “I’m just finishing up here.

What do you think?” I grab Riley’s hand and spin her around, albeit clumsily—the girl has some serious height, especially in those heels.

Riley adds her usual flare, flicking her hair around and popping her hips before flicking me a wink and turning her incredible smile to Lucas.

I can’t help but match her energy, chuckling at her before turning my attention to a very silent Lucas.

“What did you do?” he says, his brows slanted in that broody way he does as he looks Riley over head to toe.

“Uhhh…I made her drop-dead gorgeous…obviously.” I scoff at him, dropping Riley’s hand to cross my arms and deliver him a serious look. “Do you have a problem with it?”

“Aren’t you seeing Josh later?” he asks Riley, something a little angry in his tone.

“I am,” she replies, and I’m proud to hear confidence in her voice, but when I turn my head over my shoulder to give her an encouraging look, I note the way she is still fiddling with her fingers.

“Why are you dressed like that?”

This motherfucker, he cannot be serious. I spin an incredulous look to Lucas, who now has his hands on his hips, still looking right at Riley.

“Oh…” she breathes, and my heart sinks.

“Lucas—”

“No, he’s right, I probably look ridiculous. I’m just going to go change.” I hear her retreating heels but I don’t take my eyes off the biggest dickhead in all of the world.

I quickly flick my head over my shoulder to make sure she can’t hear me before I turn my wrath in his direction. “Are you a fucking idiot?” I hiss at Lucas, taking a few steps forward so he can see my fury.

“What?” He shakes his head, frustrated, his frown still in place.

“She looks amazing!” I wave my hands about. “Give her another four inches and she could be a big titty, Victoria’s Secret model. She literally puts the stun in stunning.” I grumble, giving him a little shove for emphasis. He just looks down at me, confused, of all things.

“Obviously, I already know that.”

“Then why can’t you just say that? Why’d you have to go and act like a big moron and hurt her feelings.”

“Hurt her…” He looks a little worried before he shakes his head, turning his angry hazel eyes back on me.

“She is all of those things without the designer clothes, layers of makeup, and having her hair pinned and styled within an inch of its life. She doesn’t even look like her dolled up like that.

Sure, she’s still beautiful, just not her .

” He takes a bit of a breath after he finishes, both of us silent.

I don’t think he realizes he’s said what he said.

His eyes soften slightly. “Why’d you do it?

” He crosses his arms again and I have to smother my smile in a pout.

“Because she asked me to. She wants to impress her boyfriend.” I tilt my head to give him a challenging look.

“Well then, he’s an even bigger idiot than I thought he was. She’s impressive and beautiful, just waking up.” With the last word, he leaves the living area in the direction I assume is his bedroom.

“Mm-hmm,” I mumble to myself.

This man has it bad. And I don’t think either of them knows it.