Free The Name of the Game by Jennifer Dawson

person who hadn’t asked was Sam, but that was only because he already knew. She tried to talk herself into acting normal, but now that she’d discovered the truth, she had no idea how. She’d avoided James like the plague because every time he’d gotten within two feet she’d started blushing like an awkward teenager. She could barely even talk to him. Ironically, she couldn’t stop watching him, her changed perspective casting him in a new light. He’d caught her more times than she cared to count and the tension grew with every long-held, questioning stare.
    â€œYou’ve outdone yourself,” a deep, smooth voice she recognized said from behind her.
    Thank God, she finally had a distraction. She looked over one bare shoulder at Charlie Radcliffe: Revival sheriff, best buddy, and former friend-with-benefits. Per usual, with his black hair and midnight eyes he looked gorgeous. Charlie was the very definition of tall, dark, and dangerous, but as beautiful as he was to look at, he no longer made her stomach jump. She smiled, then turned back to admire her handiwork. “Thanks, I’m happy with it.”
    An understatement. She was thrilled with how the cake had come out. A gorgeous three-tiered, Tiffany blue and black creation with an elaborate flower design that was both sophisticated and modern. The hours she’d spent perfecting the cake were worth it, because it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever made.
    Charlie slid an arm around her waist and she leaned into his strong frame, relaxing a little just being in his company. He kissed her temple. “I always said you were an artist.”
    She pulled away and looked up at him. “Thanks. And how are you? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a year.”
    It had only been a couple of days, but home seemed a million miles away.
    He grinned and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I saw you last week when we played cards. You kicked my ass and stole all my money. I remember it vividly.”
    She laughed and smoothed down the fabric of her red dress. A strapless number that hugged her curves in all the right places and ended at her knees. “That’s right. My winnings bought me this dress.”
    â€œThen it was worth it,” he said, his gaze traveling down her body. It was a familiar, flirty look, the kind they shared frequently. Once upon a time it would have meant something sexual, but these days it was pure comfort.
    She sighed, a bit wistful it hadn’t been enough. Unlike the professor, Charlie was exactly her type. They had amazing sex, and they’d always had fun, which suited her perfectly. Everything between them had been pure ease, but toward the end it had stopped being enough. At the time, she’d believed it was because she wanted what Mitch and Maddie, and now Shane and Cecilia had, but after she’d rejected enough guys she’d come to the conclusion that maybe she wasn’t cut out for long-term commitment. Once her relationships started heading in that direction, she lost interest.
    Unbidden, her attention drifted to James to find him watching her. Standing in a group that included his brothers, she saw only him in his white fitted dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, and slate-colored flat-front pants.
    Their eyes locked.
    Held.
    A flush spread over her chest, infuriating her.
    His gaze drifted over her body, traveling down, then up, before lingering at her mouth.
    Stomach jumping, she sucked in a breath.
    Attention on her, he took a drink of his wine, looking at her from over the glass the whole time.
    It had been like this all day. Thick silences. Held glances.
    They hadn’t fought. Other than that moment on the steps, they’d barely spoken. But these looks had set her on fire.
    She bit her bottom lip.
    She needed to stop.
    She released the air pent up in her lungs and put a hand over her fluttering stomach. With a force of will, she turned away to find