The Playboy Next Door

I can’t get involved with him, even if every part of my body screams for him to touch me.

He leans back, his arm inches from mine. “I haven’t stopped thinking about you since you moved into the room next door. You’re very distracting, Em.”

I don’t know what to say in response.

Steam fills the room, and I soak up its warmth. I was only going to allow myself enough time to relax and settle down. But now that River is here beside me, I can’t seem to calm my racing heart.

“When do you leave for Pittsburgh?” I ask to change the subject.

“In the morning. Don’t worry about making us breakfast. We’ll eat on the road.”

Thank God, I want to scream.

We need space from each other. Even if it’s only one day, I need a break from this hot defenseman.

“While I’m gone, think about what I said earlier.” He drags his long finger down my wet arm and smirks. “Ollie doesn’t have to know.”

I shake my head. “No, we can’t sneak around behind my brother’s back. He’ll know. We have twin ESP. Nothing gets past him.”

River blows out a deep breath. “Do you really want to tell him? We haven’t even kissed yet.”

“And we never will,” I shoot back. “It has to be this way, River. Stop hitting on me.”

“I’m serious about you, Em.” He wets his lips with his tongue, and my nipples harden at the sensual look in his eyes. “Just give me a chance.”

“I don’t know if I can.”

Needing to create some distance between us, I get out of the pool and dry myself off with a fluffy towel.

Water splashes behind me.

Fuck.

I can’t seem to get away from him.

River moves behind me, his fingers sliding down my arm. “You’re making this hard for me, Em.”

“You mean, I’m making you hard. There’s a difference.”

He groans, moving his hand to my hip, and now I’m having trouble focusing. I haven’t had sex in ages. River would probably rock my world.

What if all we need is to get this sexual tension out of our bodies? He would probably forget all about wanting me. Can we have sex once and walk away?

Not likely. And not while we’re living under the same roof.

My bikini top moves to the side as I wrap a towel around myself, forcing me to fix the fabric back into place. River makes a noise that sounds like a growl as he scrubs a hand across his jaw.

“You’re killing me, woman.”

“I’m sure you have women at your beck and call. Give one of them a call. I bet they’ll come running over to service you.”

“I’m not Brady,” he hisses. “You have me figured out all wrong.” He bends down to match my height. “I only want one woman.”

“You should call her,” I say as I walk away from him.

He laughs. “Give me your number.”

Emma

For the past week, I avoided River, afraid to be alone with him. Nothing gets past him, so I’m sure he noticed. But it’s for the best. I have to stay strong and keep my guard raised around him.

Unfortunately, we can’t stay away from each other forever. And on Friday night, Ollie and Brady leave to meet women. River wants to show me he’s not a player, that he’s not like his friends.

I’m standing in the kitchen, about to start dinner, when the doorbell rings. I jump, holding my hand over my heart, and poke my head into the living room to look at River, who’s sitting on the couch.

“I ordered us a pizza. You work too hard. Time for a break, Em.” He hops to his feet to answer the door. “You like pepperoni and sausage, right?”

I bob my head, a smile in place. “Yeah. How did you know?”

He winks. “I asked Ollie.”

I remove plates from the cabinet as River answers the door. Of course, the delivery man recognizes him. And with River being River, he signs the check and hands it to the man. It sounds like the driver is having a near panic attack from where I’m standing.

I often forget about how famous River and my brother are. To me, they’re just normal people until someone stops them for an autograph, reminding me of their fame.

River strolls into the kitchen, his track pants way too low on his hips, his shirt way too tight. I swear he does this shit on purpose. He taunts me with his sexy as body, makes me consider taking him up on his offer.

He drops the pizza box on the island and takes the plates from my hands. “We can eat on the couch,” he says as he hands me a plate.

With a word, I follow him into the living room. I know better than to get too close, but I can’t help myself. He’s been so nice, and he looks so damn good… and I have no fucking willpower.