The Play Mate (Roommates, #2)

“And if I say no?”

This wasn’t a question I wanted to answer, but I was through lying.

“If I have anything to say about it, we’re going to do it anyway. That’s how much I care. But I know it would go a long way to making your sister happy if you said yes.”

Apparently, despite my reservations, that was the right response.

Cullen shot me a bitter half smile. “All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. Maybe I didn’t show it the right way sometimes, but that’s the truth. So, yeah.” He pushed himself to stand and then made his way around his desk. “You have my blessing. But if you hurt her? You’re also going to have my foot so far up your ass, people will think you’re a boot, understood?”

Some of the ice in my stomach started to melt, and I scrubbed a hand over my jaw in relief. Now hardly seemed like the time to remind him I’d whipped his ass last time we’d sparred, boxing at the gym, so I managed to hold it in.

“Yup, got it,” I said with a nod as I stood.

I could tell he was still pissed that I’d hidden it from him, and who could blame him? But as I walked out the door, he called after me.

“Jesus, Smith. Shut the fucking door behind you. What, were you raised by wolves?”

At that, I knew everything would be okay. It might take a little time, but our friendship would survive this.

Now, all I had to do was convince Evie of that.

• • •

I made my way to her apartment, hoping like hell she was home since I had no idea why she wasn’t at work today either. Once I got there, I paused for a second outside. Low sobs were muffled by the oak door, making my pulse pound double-time.

I rapped hard once and then pushed it open without waiting for a reply.

“Evie?” I let myself inside and headed for the living room.Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

She was facedown on the couch, her face buried in her arms, but she startled and sat up when she heard my voice.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

“Smith? I th-thought you weren’t going in today,” she murmured, swiping a hand over her tear-streaked cheeks with a sniffle. “I told Cullen I wasn’t feeling well.”

My heart ached at seeing her so upset, and I approached the couch and then knelt beside her.

“What’s the matter?” I asked, taking one of her icy hands in mine and squeezing. It was shitty, but while part of me felt terrible that she was sad, another part of me feared she was crying because she wanted to break things off with me and didn’t know how.

“Everything is messed up now. You were too uncomfortable to come to work, and Cullen is furious with me. I was a wreck this morning, wondering where you were.” She shook her head miserably. “I wanted you so much, I ignored the fact that us sleeping together would ruin everything. I couldn’t sit in the office for another minute today. I’m sure Cullen is pitching a fit right now.”

Hot tears splashed on my wrist, and I yanked her up from the couch and into my arms as I stood.

“Shh, stop. Nothing is ruined. In fact, everything is great. Or it can be, if you let it,” I murmured, rubbing her back in slow, comforting circles.

She pulled back to gaze up at me and sucked in a shuddering breath. “How can you say that? I can’t stop thinking about you, and I doubt that’s going to change. So even if Cullen wasn’t mad at us both, working side by side will be next to impossible. At least, for me it will. Plus-”

I let out a frustrated growl and crushed my mouth to hers. Fuck, I was sick of talking. Talking was what had us in this mess in the first place. Had we both kept quiet, we’d have consummated our relationship that very first night and probably realized that neither of us would ever have it so good again.

All that time wasted played through my head, and I was done. She stiffened in surprise but then let out a soft moan and circled my neck with her arms.

I slipped my tongue between her lips and pulled her closer to me, reveling in the feel of her breasts against my chest. It wasn’t until her muscles were loose and her body fluid around me like melted chocolate that I pulled back.

“Can I get a word in now?” I asked, tracing her bottom lip with my thumb.

She nodded silently.

“It won’t be impossible to work side by side, Evie. It’s going to be amazing, because now we can at least go out to lunch, and talk on the way in together, and stop hiding.”

Her eyes went wide. “W-what do you mean? Cullen-”

“Cullen knows everything. I went to the office before I came to find you, and I laid it all out for him.”

“Laid what out?” she asked breathlessly, her bottom lip trembling now.

“I told him that I loved you,” I replied, running a hand through her silky curls. “That I would like his blessing but didn’t need it, because we were meant to be together.”

“You . . . you love me?” she squeaked. Those green eyes that had finally gone clear filled with tears again, and they gleamed like liquid emeralds. “Are you for real?”

“I love you, Everleigh. I love your face, and that sweet smile.” I bent her back to expose the column of her neck, punctuating each declaration with kisses down her throat. “I love your brilliant mind and your artistic soul. I love the way you treat my niece and nephews like family when you’ve only just met.”

“What else?” she demanded, her fingers curling into my hair. “What else do you love, Smith?”

Her voice had gone husky, and my cock leaped to attention. “I love the way you call my name when you come,” I murmured, sliding a hand up to cover her breast. “I love the way your body squeezes mine when-”

“Hold that thought!” She gasped, tugging free of me and running a hand through her hair as her eyes burned into mine. “I’ve got you all alone in my place, and I’m not wasting this opportunity. Let’s go!”

She grabbed my hand, all but dragging me toward what I assumed was her bedroom.

“Wait, don’t you have something to tell me?” I half teased, pulling her to a halt while my cock stood at complete attention.

I knew it. I’d seen the words written all over her face. But, damn it, I wanted to hear them.

Her lips tipped into a radiant smile that warmed me straight to my feet.

“I love you, Smith Hamilton. Now, come on and fuck me before my brother catches us playing hooky.”