Playing the Part Read Online Free PDF Page A

where Chris had been sitting. What was he … Oh. She laughed. “No. The only dates we went on were official functions where he needed a girl on his arm.” At the perplexed look on Mick’s face, she explained. “It was difficult being a gay football player in college and the NFL. I provided the correct gender eye candy.”
    “Gotcha.” Mick nodded, helping the waitress place the coffee and other items on the table. “I didn’t realize…”
    “I won’t tell him. It would break his heart. He’s been staring at your ass all day.”
    “I don’t know what to say to that.” Mick blushed a little and dipped his head, the gesture giving him an unexpectedly innocent air.
    It was enticing. Her fingers itched to reach out and see if his skin had also warmed, but she wrapped her hands around her cup and took a fortifying sip. She needed to keep this professional until they weren’t sitting in full view of fans with cell phone cameras. She’d spent the entire afternoon watching him on screen, remembering his smell, his touch, and wishing he was there. She wanted him. He wanted her. It could be just that easy.
    “He doesn’t like me,” Mick stated, reaching for the sugar bowl.
    “He wants to kick your ass.”
    “Why?”
    “Because I want you.”
    He lifted his head and nailed her with those eyes. Sexual heat seemed to wend across the table to grab her by the shoulders and give her a shake.
    “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.
    Now it was her turn to blush. People complemented each other all the time. It was standard in most greetings, like “how are you” and “have a nice day.” Bottom line: no one really cared about your day. But she could tell Mick meant what he said, and the realization made her squirm in her seat as the heat left her cheeks and transformed into something aching in her breasts.
    “You don’t have to feed me a line.”
    “It’s not a line. I love the ‘librarian meets Katy Perry’ thing you’ve got going. Very sexy.” He cocked his head to one side, his mouth unfolding into a slow, sensual smile. “Are the glasses real, or are they part of the look?”
    Piper laughed, releasing the breath she’d been holding. Her hand flew up, fingers fiddling with the frames. Most of the time she forgot she was wearing them. “They’re real. I’m blind as a bat without them.”
    “Hmm…” He leaned in and whispered, “Will you take them off and say, ‘you’ve been a very bad boy and you need to be punished’?”
    She laughed, the light sound bubbling up and spilling over. Several nearby patrons glanced over before huddling back together to talk about the movie star and the girl he was with.
    Mick’s tone was contrite. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist.”
    “No. It was—” The words stalled in her throat as their hands brushed, his fingers closing over hers in a move so bold she couldn’t write it off as an accident. Mick had shifted in his chair, and now he was close enough she could smell the coffee on his warm breath as it ghosted over her skin. Images of the two of them role-playing—Mick on his knees as she doled out his punishment—flashed through her mind and set her blood on fire.
    Mick stared at her, his green-gold gaze flicking down to watch her tongue moisten her suddenly dry lips, and she leaned in closer before she could stop herself. Her slight movement was mirrored by him and then…oh God…
    They were kissing. His mouth, warm and urgent, brushing against her own as she pressed back, searching for that perfect alignment.
    He tasted of rich coffee with an undertone of sugar sweetness and something uniquely Mick. Their position shifted slightly and his tongue, slick velvet, entered her mouth with no hesitation. She welcomed it.
    He wove his hand through her hair, palm anchoring her mouth in the perfect position for Mick to go deeper with the kiss, to be more possessive. She hummed in approval, brushing her own finger tentatively against the soft fabric of his