Playing to Win (The Players #3)

by Monica Murphy

“Yes,” I whisper, my eyes falling closed when he slips his fingers under my jaw, streaking them down my throat, his touch featherlight. He pauses at my collarbone, just above the neckline of my T-shirt and I can feel my nipples beading into hard, aching points beneath the fabric.

His lips kick up on one side in a closed-mouth smile as we continue to stare at each other. “You’re a dirty girl, Red.” “What do you mean?” I can’t even take offense to him calling me dirty because I think he’s right. I think I might be.

“Getting off on me putting my hand around your throat.” He then drifts his fingers upwards, all four of them pressed against my neck, his thumb coming up to trace along my jaw. “You like this?”

A sigh escapes me and I practically melt into the seat. When Ace’s hand falls away from my neck, I miss his touch so bad, I physically ache from the loss. I’m reaching for my beer, drinking as much as possible, because I remember I told him I wanted to finish my beer first...

“If Knox were here, he’d lose his shit.” “Well, he’s not here, is he,” I say, sounding vaguely bratty, but I don’t care. “And what he doesn’t know, won’t hurt him.” “Truer words were never spoken,” Ace says in agreement.

“Are you sure? How’s your head?” “You wanna play nurse for me, Red? Make sure I’m feeling okay?” He’s teasing, his eyes sparkling and I can imagine tucking him into bed. Just before I slip in between the sheets and maul him. Take care of his…other needs. And my own.

Okay, I am not one to just wallow in my dirty thoughts but being this close to him and all the innuendo in our conversation, has me fantasizing about him putting his hands on me again… It’s got me thinking all sorts of thoughts. None of them proper.

“Is that your kink?” He sits up straighter at my question and I carry on. “Seeing me in a nurse’s uniform, my skirt so short you can see my panties every time I bend over?” His eyes flare with heat. “I didn’t know it was a kink of mine but I like the image you just put in my brain.” I start to giggle. I can’t help it. “I bet you do.” “I figured you were the type to not wear panties.” I go still when our gazes lock yet again. “Since you’re no...

“Well, I much prefer the image of you bending over me wearing no panties at all.” He grins, seeming very pleased with...

“You done with that yet?” I clear my throat again. “Why do you ask?” “Because I’m dying to leave with you.” He tips his head toward mine, his voice lowering. “Get you alone.” “Yeah?” I feel stupid, but it’s like I can’t come up with anything else to say.

“Unless you don’t want to do that. And if that’s the case, it’s cool.” He leans back, spreading his arms across the top of the booth, his fingers drifting back and forth across my shoulder, making me shiver. “It’s completely up to you, Red.”

But I’m dying to fuck her. Though it’s more than that. I haven’t even kissed her yet and I want to know what she tastes like. I want to see if her lips are as soft as they look and what might happen when I get my hands around her neck again. That’s a turn-on, knowing she likes that. I’ve never been into that sort of thing. Never even really thought about it. Now Ruby’s got me thinking all sorts of things, all of them filthy, and feature me dominating her. Holding her down while I fuck her hard. Or nice and slow. I’ll take it any way I can get it. Swear to God I’m breaking out into a cold sweat just thinking about it.

“Should we leave? Together?” she asks, her voice so soft I almost didn’t hear her. “I thought that was the plan. I’m too drunk to drive,” I remind her. “Are you too drunk to do…anything else?” She bites her lower lip, her eyes wide. Fuck me, she’s sexy as hell. “I’m up for whatever you want to do.” I’m leaving this up to her. “Okay.” She takes a deep breath, glancing around the bar before her gaze returns to me, her expression dead serious as she murmurs, “Let’s go.”

Taylor Swift’s voice booms from the speakers

I don’t mind that this girl is a Swiftie, but I don’t really know much of her music. And women who are Taylor Swift fans always get offended when I admit I don’t know whatever song is playing.

She’s singing about a lavender haze and 1950s

“I like your voice,” I tell her when the song is over. Ruby laughs, shaking her head. “You really are drunk.” I frown. “Hey, I take offense to that.” “I’m just okay.” She shrugs. “You need to learn how to take a compliment, Red.” She’s quiet for a moment, her fingers curled tightly around the steering wheel and when she finally murmurs, “Yeah, you’re probably right,” I realize something. That took a lot for her to say. Huh.

I shouldn’t have pulled that kind of shit but she’s the type who lets her doubts get in the way of a good time. I didn’t realize she was that kind of girl, but apparently, she is. At least when it comes to me.

grabbing her hand at the last second and dragging her into the apartment. She goes willingly, not saying a word when I gently shove her against the door once it’s closed, reaching around her to turn the dead bolt back into place. My body brushes against hers, keeping her in place and I swear sparks light up between us. “Ace—”

“Ssh.” I rest my index finger on her plush mouth, silencing her. It’s dark inside, but light still shines through the small half-moon window that’s at the top of the door, enough to see Ruby’s eyes are wide as she stares up at me. “I want to test something.” Her delicate brows draw together. “What do you want to test?” My gaze drops to her lips. “To see if we’re truly compatible.”

“And how are you going to test that?” she whispers. “Like this.” I press my lips to hers, keeping still for a beat. An electric current pulses through me the moment our mouths touch, settling in my dick, and when she pulls away slightly, I fight the disappointment.

When I wrap my fingers around the front of her throat, she gasps, her lips falling from mine. I pull away slightly so I can look at her, noting her wild eyes, her swollen lips. Her heavy breaths.

“You’re fucking beautiful,” I whisper.

“I’m serious, Red. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen.” I press her more firmly against the door, my fingers still around her neck, and fuck, I swear she goes limp. “You like this?” She nods, her lips parting, her eyes fully closing. Leaning in, I press my mouth to her ear, whispering, “Are you wet, Red?” Her head barely moves in answer, a shuddery breath escaping her. “Because of how I’m touching you?” I tighten my grip slightly, not wanting to hurt her but still testing her.

“Because of everything,” she admits, her eyes still closed. I go silent, studying her face. The way her chest rises and falls, her nipples hard beneath the T-shirt.

Pretty sure this girl’s got it bad for me. Fairly certain I feel th...

I want more. More of him. Every bit of him I can get.

“Jesus, Red. You’re perfect.”

This guy is going to ruin me.

He makes me feel small and dainty and completely protected and I can’t lie. It’s hot. Everything he does is hot.

“What’s wrong?” “Um…” I bite my lower lip, feeling stupid. “Nothing.” He’s frowning. “What is it, Ruby?” I sort of miss hearing him call me Red, which is silly. “You’re just—really muscular.” He grins, and I’m sure he’s pleased I noticed. How could I not? “I work out every single day for hours. I should be muscular.”

“Well, I’m not. I eat pizza. And Subway, which I’ve heard they don’t even use real bread. Not that bread is good for you. It’s not. And I drink too much Diet Coke. Oh God, and I have a total sweet tooth. Did you know that? I can bake a mean chocolate chip cookie, though I’m guessing you don’t eat them.”

“I love chocolate chip cookies.” “Do you eat them right now? During football season?” “Not if I can help it,” he admits. “See, that’s the problem. I eat too many. I eat raw dough too.” The horror. Why haven’t I died of food poisoning or whatever? “I’m gross.” He chuckles. “You are the furthest thing from gross, Red.”

“See ya, Red.” She smiles. “Bye, Ace.”

Would she have walked out without saying a word? I’m thinking yes. Damn. Can’t help but feel kind of… Used. What the actual fuck?

He fell in love with her and wanted to be a better man for her. And for himself.

I realize in that moment who I need to go talk to. Someone who could possibly center me.

“Why did you want to talk to me?” she finally asks. “How can I help?”

“Just…let me look at you for a minute.”

“Loving the show of support.” “Oh.” She glances down at her shirt before returning her gaze to me. “Blair gave me this shirt. It’s kind of small.” “I think it’s perfect.”

“Because it’s tight across my boobs?” “That might have something to do with it.” I grin, already fe...

But I can’t resist him. It’s like he’s fire and I’m drawn to the flames. I need to remember… Spending more time with Ace will only result in me getting burned.

Ace: Thank you. Frowning, I read the text again, confused. Me: Thank you for what?

Ace: For talking to me earlier at practice. I played better because of you.

Me: You’re welcome for nothing. He immediately sends me a text. Ace: It wasn’t nothing. Ace: I want to see you again. Ace: Tonight.

Me: I can’t tonight.

Ace: Whatever time you can meet, I’m game. Ace: I just really want to talk to you again, Red. Ace: There’s something I want to ask you.

“He’s had a tiny taste and now he’s hooked.”

“I’m so proud of you. Yes, that’s perfect. Make him suffer.”

Ruby: I can’t see you tonight. Maybe tomorrow?