Excerpt of Playing the Game by M.Q. Barber

Henry clicked his tongue. “Jay and I have both noticed
your
interest, Alice. It’s nothing of which you need be
ashamed.
We’re flattered.”

She waited for his gentle brush-off. God, why couldn’t
she
meet any available nice guys? Ones who could dress
themselves in the morning and put a meal on the table
once
in a while? Ones who could hold her attention for more
than
three dates but wouldn’t pressure her for commitment?

“Definitely flattered,” Jay chimed in. His gaze raked
over
her body.

The move might’ve earned a stranger a drink in the face,
but
not Jay, her de facto best friend. His look was what
she’d
wanted when she put the dress on. Even if he was
untouchable.

No rule against fantasizing. She’d apologize and promise
to
rein it in and everything would be fine.

“Manners, Jay.” Henry released her arm to pull out her
chair. “I won’t tolerate such boorish behavior. Alice
deserves more dignified attentions.”

She studied her sandals against the dining room rug.
Dignified, undignified…hell, she liked ’em both.

“She wants to play, Henry. You know she does, even if she
hasn’t said so.”

Jay rarely sounded so serious. She opened her mouth to
ask
about their game when Henry spoke.

“Enough, Jay. Sit down and keep your eyes on your plate
if
you can’t be polite.”

Jay’s eyes, defiant, lusting, caught hers. And then he
sat
and stared at his plate. What the hell had she walked
into
tonight?

“Alice. Please accept my apologies for Jay’s rather
forward
behavior.” Henry took a softer tone with her than with
Jay,
gentler, and his hand grazed her bare back. “The young
are
always in such a rush.”

She would’ve smiled if she weren’t so confused by their
behavior tonight. Jay might have her birthday beat by
eighteen months, but the impatience and immaturity she
had
shed still clung to him. Henry had a decade on Jay, but
age
wasn’t what set him apart. She imagined him mature and
controlled even as a child. Dignified.

Henry tipped his head and captured her gaze. He was
taller
than she was. Not much. She might match him in heels, not
that it mattered, since they weren’t dating and never
would
be. His height hit the sweet spot that made standing
beside
him exquisite, even if she’d never admit it aloud to the
ones she turned down, the ones who weren’t the perfect
fit.

Henry’s fingertips trailed over her spine, and she
shivered.

“Except when they’re a bit skittish,” he murmured. “Is
that
what you are, Alice? Perhaps you’re feeling unsure of
your
place here?”

She couldn’t meet his gaze for long. His eyes invited her
to
drown in tender concern, implied an intimacy that made
her
nervous and needy. Jay proved no help, his focus locked
to
his plate.

“If you don’t wish to play, my dear, that’s fine. We
three
may still have a lovely dinner, and your longing looks
will
be no less welcome for the declined invitation.”

Her gaze flicked back to Henry’s. She wet her lips.
Beneath
the nerves welled a thrilling jolt, an anticipatory burst
of
glee.

“But there could be more if I want it?”