Page 49 of Playing the Player

A nap sounds heavenly right now. After barely sleeping last night, I’m gonna need all the rest I can get if I want to survive another evening with Liam’s endless energy. Yeah, a nap sounds like a good plan.

I change into some sweats and a baggy top before getting into the bed, pulling the covers up to my chin and relaxing. The sound of the heavy traffic outside my window is calming. I’ve lived in cities my whole life and can get to sleep better when there’s noise compared to the quiet. I’ve never really liked the quiet.

Even when I’m working, I can focus better if there’s background noise. It makes me focus on something different than the thoughts swirling through my head when the quiet takes over.

My eyes grow heavy, my breathing evens out and I’m almost asleep when my phone buzzes on the nightstand. When I see Conor’s name flash on the screen, all thoughts of sleep leave me.

Conor: Come stay with me.

Conor: Both of you. I have a spare bedroom.

Is he serious? We couldn’t do that. It’s not fair on him to take us both in for a few days. Plus, I’d probably sleep better on my lumpy couch than I would be surrounded by all things Conor. His things, his scent, him. It would be too much.

Me: We couldn’t. Thanks though :)

Conor: Why couldn’t you?

I type a reply, delete it, type again, delete it. I’m not sure what to say. I mean, we’re friends. Why wouldn’t we stay? I stay at Liv’s place all the time. But Conor isn’t Liv. It’ll make things a lot more messy than they already are. There’s undeniable tension between Conor and I and I’m scared to find out what happens when that tether finally snaps. The more time we spend together, the closer it is to breaking.

Me: Because it would be against our rules.

Conor: Relax, Angel. It’s only sleeping.

I’ll sleep on the couch and you can take my bed.

Me: I’ll think about it.

I shouldn’t think about it. I should just say no and be done with it. But, there’s that constant nagging in my head, screaming at me to just say yes. What’s the worst that could happen?

If we do stay at his place, I won't be in his bed. I’ll happily sleep on his couch. It’s probably more comfortable than my bed anyway and I can fully stretch my legs out. Conor is a beast of a man, it’s not fair that he’d have to curl up on the sofa when my five foot frame would fit perfectly.

I will think about it. But, I’ll probably say no.

Two hours later, I’m hauling mine and Liam’s bags into Conor’s apartment. I have no self-control when it comes to this man. He called me an hour ago asking if I decided to stay at his place and somehow when I spoke the word ‘no’, it came out as a ‘yes’. So now I’m here.

We’re only staying for a few days but I feel like I have packed everything I own. My mom always used to say ‘it’s better to come prepared than showing up with nothing’ and that’s something I’ve used in every aspect of my life. In reality, I’ll only wear two or three of these outfits but like I said, best to be prepared!

“Are you planning on moving in?” Conor eyes my large suitcase, duffle bag and Liam’s backpack.

“Maybe. It depends on how comfortable your bed is.” I tease but that backfires when Conor’s eyes darken and he stalks towards me.

“Is that right?” He starts, his voice suddenly husky and sounding like sin. “One look at you in my bed and I might never let you leave.” Oh fuck. He’s in front of me now, so close that I can smell his familiar cologne. Don’t do it, Sasha. Do not inhale. I inhale. Dammit. I melt closer to him as his scent fills my senses and words get caught in my throat at his proximity and sex-filled eyes. “What’s wrong, Angel? Cat got your tongue?” He flashes me a knowing smirk before bending down and lifting all my bags with little effort.

My thighs clench involuntarily, trying to ease the ache that’s beginning to form from his devilish intent. This man is so fucking sexy and he knows it. He knows exactly what he does to me.

I clear my throat before speaking to Conor’s retreating form. “Where’s Liam?”

“He went upstairs.” Conor replies, setting my bags into his bedroom and coming back out to where my feet are rooted in place in the living room. “We’re all alone.” He says with a wicked grin.

Thankfully, Liam saunters back into Conor’s apartment about five minutes after I melted into a puddle on the floor. Conor has been flirty with me before, but something seemed to shift in him today and I have no idea why.

I have been actively avoiding him all evening. The lingering stares, lust filled eyes and seductive smirks were becoming too much. I swear by dinner I was close to jumping his bones. I think Liam being here is the only reason I didn’t. That’s a scary thought.

I make sure Liam is settled into bed because I clearly still think he’s that four-year-old boy that needs tucked in at night and not the fourteen-year-old teenager who tells me to ‘get lost’ when I try. My bare feet pad down the hallway towards Conor’s bedroom when his door opens and I smack into his hard chest. His strong arms wrap around me, saving me from falling on my ass.

“Thanks.” I breathe out but once again, his proximity and intoxicating scent has me weak at the knees. Thank God he’s still holding me up. He doesn’t let go of me, instead, he pulls me tighter. “I just came to get my stuff.”

“It’s all yours.” He says, steading me and moving back a step.