Page 4

4

Jake

Sure enough, not long after I overheard her conversation with Sadie, Piper comes strolling over. She smells faintly of vanilla and whiskey, a combination that goes straight to my head in ways I hate to admit. When she slides down next to me, her hip brushing my thigh, heat flashes through my groin despite every logical warning in my brain.

“Hey,” she says, voice deceptively sweet. “My friends and I were just talking, and apparently they’ve never heard of the game Titanic . Please tell me you know what it is.”

I force a casual chuckle, ignoring the surge of arousal tightening my chest. “Never heard of it,” I say smoothly, tipping the brim of my beer bottle in her direction. “Why don’t you enlighten me?”

She fixes those dark, mischievous eyes on mine, the flicker of the bonfire making them gleam. “You be the iceberg,” she purrs, lips curving into a sultry smirk, “and I’ll go down.”

My gut twists with lust and suspicion all at once. She’s clearly up to no good—but damn if my body doesn’t respond anyway. I return her smirk with deliberate slowness, letting her see the challenge in my eyes.

All right, sweetheart. Let the games begin.

She’s definitely had a few. Still, the innuendo makes my lips twitch. I school my features into mild curiosity.

Then, she stage-whispers, “ Please go along with this so I don’t look like a loser in front of everyone .”

I have to hold back a laugh. And more than that, I don’t want her to know that I know what’s going on.

“Sure,” I say. “I’ll follow your lead.”

She rewards me with a smile, touches my bicep in an oh-so-casual way. “Wow, you’re strong,” she says. “Guess all that hockey training pays off. You must be pretty great on the ice.”

She trails her fingers over my bicep—light, teasing, nothing and everything all at once.

A flash of heat shoots straight through me. Fuck. It’s been a while since I’ve been touched like that—like I’m something worth sinking her teeth into. I want to tell myself it’s just the alcohol messing with my head, but the tightening in my gut? That’s all her.

I force myself to stay still, to keep my expression bored. If she thinks I’m going to fall at her feet because she batted her lashes and grazed my arm, she’s got another thing coming.

So she thinks I'm pretty great on the ice, huh? I cringe internally. She’s referencing the exact skill set she once criticized on her blog. She must think I’m clueless. Keep calm, Jake. I shrug. “I do all right.”

She scoots closer, her gaze trailing over my arms, shoulders, then lingering on my face. “Have we met before?” she asks, batting her lashes. “I feel like I’ve seen you around.”

Time to reward her scheming with a little of my own. I decide to play dumb.

I give her my best blank look. “No, I don’t think we’ve ever met. I’d remember you.” I pause just long enough to watch her expectant expression falter. Then I smirk. “But maybe I wouldn’t.”

There it is—the flicker of confusion in her eyes. She pushes forward. "I'm Piper Reed. I, um… I run Piper on the Ice ?"

"That sounds like a drink." I tilt my head, pretending to think about it. "No wait, that would be Piper on the Rocks. Same thing, really. Haven't tried it—not sure I'd like the taste."

"It's a blog." She leans closer, her vanilla-whiskey scent making my pulse kick up despite myself.

"Never heard of it." I keep my expression deliberately blank. "More into actual ice than reading about it."

"Oh." Her smile dims like someone flicked a switch. "Well, I bet you'd find my coverage... stimulating."

"Stimulating?" I arch an eyebrow, enjoying how she squirms. "Like watching paint dry on a rink?"

Her cheeks flush, but her eyes flash with challenge. "I write about more than just stats and scores. My followers say I have quite the... way with words."

I take a slow sip of my drink, letting her see exactly how unimpressed I am. "I'm sure your thousands of adoring fans hang on every syllable. Me?" I lean in slightly, watching her breath catch. "I prefer my stimulation a little more hands-on."

"My last post got ten thousand shares."

"A testament to your oral skills." I smirk as her eyes widen. "I should check them out sometime."

She's floundering, not used to being on the back foot, and damn if I don't enjoy every second of it.

“Anyway,” she says. “I never got your name.”

God, I want to laugh. Not only does this woman know my name, she’s trashed my reputation.

“Jake,” I say.

She offers her hand, and I take it. As much as I don’t want to admit it, the sensation of her skin on mine makes my heart race, my cock pulses to life a bit. And it doesn’t help that her nipples are tenting the fabric of her tank top.

“Nice to meet you, Jake. And thanks for being the target of my bad line.”

Before I can respond, a breeze stirs the fire, and Piper crosses her arms tight over her chest. She shivers, and I notice goose bumps on her forearms. No need to be cruel. I shrug off my hoodie and hand it to her.

She looks up, surprised. “Thanks, Jake.”

“No big deal. But it’s on loan,” I say. “I expect it back soon.”

Her lips pull into a smirk. “Of course. I’ll find you tomorrow.”

I tilt my head. “Nah. Just give it to my sister. Doubt we’ll run into each other again.” The subtle dig lands, making her brows knit. She’s not used to hearing that from men.

I stand up, brushing off my jeans like this entire conversation has been nothing but a mild inconvenience. “I’ll see you around, maybe. Nice meeting you, Piper.”

I hold her gaze for half a second longer than I should, just to watch the irritation flicker in her eyes. Then I smirk. Turn. Walk away.

The confusion on her face? Priceless.

I can almost hear Sadie snickering in the background, and I know Piper’s got her pride stinging. Good. Maybe that’ll remind her not to treat me like a pawn.

I join my friends, ignoring their smirks and whispered comments about Piper being “too hot for me.” Let them think what they want. My real target is the bachelor auction set to take place tomorrow—it’s one of the festival’s biggest fundraisers.

Every year, a lineup of single guys is auctioned off for charity. The highest bidder wins a “date.” Usually, it’s harmless fun. This year, it’s the perfect setup for me to ensure I’m the one in control if Piper tries anything.

I scan the crowd for Ethan’s girlfriend, Layla. She’s near the fence, talking to a few people. Ethan’s off in the barn, from what I can see, helping set up for the auction. I walk over and tap Layla’s shoulder. “Got a minute?”

She turns, her smile wide. “Sure, Jake. Everything okay?”

I glance around, lowering my voice. “I’ve got a favor to ask. Kind of a weird one.”

Layla lifts a brow. “Oh?”

“See, I’m worried about who might bid on me tomorrow. I overheard some stuff.” I hesitate, not wanting to spill all the details. “I don’t want them winning. I’d rather have you swoop in and outbid any troublemakers.”

Layla’s lips twist with amusement. “You’re serious?”

“As a faceoff in the finals.” I run a hand over my neck. “I’ll give you the money beforehand. If someone tries to drive the price up, don’t back down. Bid whatever it takes. Win me for the evening. Then we can pretend it’s a friendly date. I’m good with letting them see they can’t manipulate me. You keep the dinner for you and Ethan—just show them I’m off-limits.”

Layla laughs. “You realize how dramatic this sounds, right?”

“Yeah.” I grin sheepishly. “But I’d really appreciate it.”

She glances over at Ethan, who’s coming our way. “Let’s see what he says.” She waves him over, and he appears, wiping sawdust from his hands. She quickly explains the plan.

Ethan smirks, hooking an arm around Layla. “A bidding war, huh? Are we messing with Sadie? Or one of her friends?”

“Something like that,” I say. “I just know a group’s plotting something, and I’d rather beat them at their own game.”

He looks at Layla. “You cool with it?”

She grins. “Sure! Why not? It’s for charity—and it could be fun.” Her eyes twinkle as she turns back to me. “You better make it up to me, though. Maybe a double date with Ethan and me, your treat.”

“Deal.” I slip some cash her way discreetly. “Thanks. Put on a show if you have to. Just make sure no one else wins.”

Layla pockets the money. “Got it, Captain.”

Ethan chuckles. “You’re not letting them toy with you, huh?”

I shake my head. “I’m done letting people run their mouths about me or my family. If they want to gossip, fine. But they won’t succeed at humiliating me in public.”

Ethan pats my shoulder. “Alright, I’ll see you after. Good luck.”

They head off. I linger by the fire, finishing what’s left of my beer. The air thrums with anticipation. The bonfire’s in full roar, and people are gathering for the auction. Some are scoping out potential “bachelors,” giggling as they look us up and down.

Piper wants to play?

Fine. I’ll play. But sweetheart, I play to win.