Role Play (Plaything Book 4) Read online

“What floor?” I asked so shakily I was sure he didn’t understand the question.

  I could sense him nearing me. My heart was close to leaping straight out of my chest. Then his large hand, a hand I knew intimately, pressed against the wall in front of me. “You didn’t say good-bye.” His deep, smooth voice was so familiar a small sob popped from my lips.

  It took every ounce of my courage to turn around and face him.

  “You left. Your things were gone. You’re the one who didn’t say good-bye.” A rush of relief nearly made me sink to my knees. I hadn’t been imagining anything. I wasn’t completely insane.

  “I had to go help my sister. I needed my tools.”

  “But your room, the bathroom, it looked as if you’d never even been there.”

  “It was my last day working for Coco. I was moving back here to the city to start this job. I’m sure she cleaned it so that it was ready for the next guests.”

  The elevator stopped. Grayson dropped his hand. Several people stepped on. We all stood in what I liked to call awkward elevator silence. I was sure everyone could hear the wild beating of my heart.

  We reached the ground floor. Without hesitation, Grayson grabbed my hand and led me out of the elevator to the stairwell door. He opened it and we slipped inside where we could be alone. No one ever took the stairs in a high rise.

  I faced him. “But you pretended we were strangers just now.” My eyes ached with tears. “I thought I was losing my fucking mind.”

  He stepped forward but I backed up, not completely sure any of this was real yet. “Your assistant was standing right there. I didn’t want to get you in trouble. And I figured if I grabbed you and pushed you up against the wall for a kiss like I was wanting to do, then I’d probably lose this job on the first day.” His deep voice thrummed off the stairwell chamber walls.

  He reached up and wiped away a tear from my cheek with his callused thumb.

  I swallowed to relieve the ache in my throat. “So you’re here? You’re truly flesh and blood? You’re real?”

  “I’m the real deal, darlin’, but in case you need some solid proof—” He pulled me into his arms. His mouth covered mine, and I melted against him as he kissed me long and hard.

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  More Silk Stocking Inn

  Red Velvet

  Salted Caramel

  Mocha Latte

  Hot Buttered Rum

  Sugarplum

  About the Author

  Tess Oliver is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of sexy romances. She’s always working on new and exciting projects. You can stay up to date, and get a free book by visiting her website and subscribing to her newsletter.

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