Playing the Game by Jl Paul

hour to figure
it out.
    ***
    I told my mother I was going shopping and
would be back later. I had accumulated a decent sized bank account
from previous gigs and shows. I definitely wasn’t rich – not in the
least- but I could afford a new outfit or two. Thanks to Dane, I
had invested the little bit of money I’d earned and had nearly
doubled it. He was the one who had helped me get a loan for my
aging car and had set up my payments so that they were just taken
from my savings account each month. I just had to make sure I was
careful with my spending.
    That’s no
problem , I thought. I didn’t usually go on
shopping binges. My mother enjoyed making outfits for me to wear to
auditions and such. She had an eye for fashion and I never looked
or felt uncomfortable.
    I parked in front of Jess’s house, relieved
to see his H3 parked in the driveway. My knees wobbled as I walked
up the path to his door. He opened it before I could knock, smirk
on his lips but anger glimmering in his eyes.
    “ Hi,” I said
softly.
    His lean frame took up most of the doorway -
arms crossed tightly over his chest. “You weren’t at the game.”
    I lifted a helpless shoulder. “Sorry.” I bit
my lip. “I watched some of it, though. Are you…um…okay?”
    Groaning, he dropped his arms, pushing the
screen door open for me. I grabbed it as he turned his back and
headed toward the kitchen. “Don’t start the pity party, Aubrey; I
don’t need it.”
    “ All I did was ask if you
were okay. I could never feel sorry for an arrogant
bastard.”
    Stopping, he spun to face me. His eyes
narrowed before his mouth broke into a wide grin. He threw his head
back and laughed. I relaxed as my cheeks tightened with a
smile.
    “ I’m glad you came,
sweetheart. Hungry? I was thinking about ordering a
pizza.”
    Once again, he didn’t wait for my answer –
instead he picked up his phone and hit a speed dial number. He kept
his eyes on me as he ordered, making sure to include every topping
he knew I hated.
    “ One more thing,” he said
with a slight smile. “I need a small with pepperoni, ham, bacon,
and pineapple.” He winked at me as he listened before he gave his
address and hung up the phone.
    “ I’m surprised you
remembered what I like on my pizza,” I said, trying to slip as much
sarcasm into my voice as possible. I failed. My tone was more
awe.
    “ I haven’t forgotten a
single thing about you, Aubrey Rose,” he said. I believed him. He
took me by the shoulders and yanked me to his hard body. Dipping
his head, he captured my lips in a warm kiss. I was shocked, at
first, but it wore off quickly as I responded. He smiled against my
mouth before planting one last, lingering kiss on my lips. “Just
like I remember – sweet yet with a hint of anger.”
    “ You sound like you’re
describing a bottle of wine,” I said, catching my
breath.
    His hands slipped from my shoulders to my
waist and tightened. He kissed me softly on the cheek but his eyes
were pure fire. My blood bubbled as my eyes grew. Bolts of want and
lust shot through the bottom of my stomach, forcing heat to my
cheeks. He crushed his lips to mine again and I grabbed his
shoulders to steady my failing legs. My hands worked up his neck
and wound in his hair. Sighing, I melted into him, following his
lead. He chuckled a little and I took that moment to suck in air.
His mouth closed over mine again and my mind went pleasantly numb.
He broke the kiss after a few more minutes, wiping the corners of
his mouth.
    “ You do things to me,
Aubrey, that no other woman can.” His declaration took me by
surprise. I had no idea what he meant – whether it was good or bad
– and I had no intention of asking. “Have a seat and I’ll get you
something to drink.”
    I agreed. I needed a little space between us
before I melted.
    He placed a water bottle in front of me and
took a seat, beer in hand.
    “ Thanks,” I managed to
mutter. My head, although still spinning, was starting to slow