Page 8 of Playing Mr. Perfect

A playful grin appears. “Thank you. I don’t usually get such bold compliments about my body so early on in conversation, but I appreciate you noticing.”

My cheeks burn, but I laugh. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Oh, I think you did.” He lifts his brows and takes a drink.

Applause erupts around us, startling me out of the moment. I was so focused on him, I lost track of everything else.

I kind of liked that, too.

Clay

That little startle was so fucking cute. I like a woman who can give as good as she gets. I’m glad I accepted Dash’s offer to join them. Even on the heels of that devastating loss, I feel lighter than I have since spending the holidays with my family. Pepper is watching her sister with pride in her eyes as Sable thanks the audience, and not for the first time, I’m drawn to Pepper’s love of her family. She’s as close with hers as I am with mine.

“They were awesome,” I say, leaning closer so she can hear me over the roaring crowd.

She beams. “Yeah, they were.”

“It’s hard to believe Sable’s going to give all this up.” My older sister, Victoria, who goes by Victory, owns Blank Space Entertainment and reps Bad Intentions. Last year she offered to sign Surge to her label, but Sable turned her down. She ended up signing several of Sable’s bandmates, and Sable walked away without her band, or a deal.

“You probably can’t relate to this, but she doesn’t like the limelight.”

“I can relate to that more than you know.” It’s not something I want to think about, and I’m glad for the distraction when Sable announces Bad Intentions. The crowd goes wild as the other band takes the stage.

“Hello, Paris!” Johnny Bad’s voice booms through the arena, inciting more excitement. “This song is for my beautiful fiancée, Jillian, who’s holding down the fort with our three kids back in the States. I love you, baby!” Jillian is Graham’s sister.

Johnny breaks into “Star Crossed,” and the crowd goes wild again.

As Pepper’s sisters and brothers-in-law couple off to dance, I set down my drink and take Pepper’s glass from her, placing it beside mine on a table.

“Hey,” she complains. “I need that.”

I draw her into my arms. “Not while you’re dancing with me, you don’t.”

“I need it even more if I’m dancing with you.” Her gaze darts around us nervously.

“Why is that? We’re both good dancers.” I hold her tighter, keeping her focus on me.

She doesn’t respond, but as I sway more seductively, she moves with me. I dip my head, speaking into her ear. “Why are you fighting our connection? You feel incredible in my arms. Doesn’t it feel good to you?”

“Reasonably good,” she says breathily, but there’s no missing the battle between desire and rational thinking looking back at me.

“It’s okay to admit we feel phenomenal together.”

Her eyes narrow. “Why are you even dancing with me? Didn’t your pickup lines work on your other lady friends?”

I grit my teeth against the accusation, but I can’t blame her for saying it, and it confirms the hint of jealousy I thought I sensed earlier, which I fucking loved. “Do you really think I’d come all the way to Paris to see you and then try to pick up other women just because you’re playing hard to get?”

She gives me an incredulous look. “You’re not here for me.”

“Do you think I came all this way to hang out with Dash and see a concert? I love the guy, but this wasn’t a two-hour plane ride.”

Her eyes widen as understanding hits.

“Now that we’re clear, do you really think I was trying to pick up those women?”

She schools her expression. “Based on your reputation, I’d be remiss to think otherwise.”

“That stings,” I admit. “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate your honesty. It’s refreshing, since most women don’t give a damn as long as they get a piece of me. But I’d think an intelligent woman like you would know better than to believe the rumors.”