Free The Games We Play Vol. 3 (Riley Grayson) by Elizabeth Nelson Page B

Just think like a guy. That’s what I do, and look at me.”
    Ali rolled her eyes. Maybe Hilary was right. Riley did help her get over Pat. Surely some other guy could help her get over Riley, right?
    Think like a guy . . . it had a nice ring to it, and just the thought of acting like Riley felt so liberating. With a resigned sigh, Ali nodded. “Fine. Let’s go out then. But I’m just dancing, got it?”
    Hilary jumped off the couch and squealed with delight. “You won’t regret this. I promise.”
    Ali laughed. “If I listen to you I will.”

CHAPTER 8
     
    Riley had broken down and called Ali twice on his way to the studio yesterday. Both times he was sent directly to her voicemail. He didn’t leave a message. What he had to say to her couldn’t be said to a stupid recording. He needed to hear her voice, listen for the inflection of her tone when she responded. Ideally, he’d like to just talk to her face to face, but he couldn’t make that happen if she wouldn’t even answer his calls.
    He’d been tempted to drive to her apartment last night, but he was too wound up. Things wouldn’t have gone well, and there was no doubt she would have thought of it as a completely desperate thing to do. He knew all too well, desperation was a complete turn off.
    “Riley, could you please come to my office immediately.” Veronica’s voice filled his small office. He’d successfully dodged her all weekend, but he knew he couldn’t avoid her forever. 
    He checked his cell phone, hoping he’d somehow missed a call from Ali. Nothing.
    With a resigned sigh, he tried her again. Voicemail. This time he actually left a message. “Hey Ali. It’s Riley. Look, I know what you saw on my phone the other morning. I swear it’s not what you think. Please just call me so we can talk.” He ended the call and rubbed his hand across his forehead.
    Then he proceeded to Veronica’s office. “You summoned me?” he asked in what he hoped sounded like a playful tone when in reality he was being sarcastic.
    “Yes. Please, close the door behind you.”
    Riley gave her a look like, really?
    “And lock it.”
    Shit. This was it. It was the moment Riley knew was coming. He and Veronica had teased about it after dinner at Veronica’s place. After that night in the limo.
    Riley was no fool, and the way Ali had him all bent out of shape, he knew damn well what he was going to do.
    Like an obedient servant, he closed and locked the door before crossing the room. Sitting on the corner of her desk was a condom. He momentarily closed his eyes and drew a deep breath. He’d been suffering from blue balls since yesterday morning when he got out of the shower with a hard on and Ali was gone. If Veronica wanted to be punished, then she was going to get what she’d been asking for.
    Veronica stood and came around to the front of the desk. Neither of them spoke. There was no need. They both knew exactly what to do. They’d been doing this same dance for a couple of weeks now. She’d call him into her office. They’d circle each other. Riley would tease her hair, brush his fingers across her face while she sat there batting her eyelashes at him, just begging Riley to do what he said he wanted to.
    But he wasn’t stupid. This was all about her. It had nothing to do with him, and if this arrangement had begun before he’d met Ali, it would have been a dream come true.
    But, Ali. He couldn’t escape her even in moments like this when Veronica was such a gorgeous piece of ass. If he followed through with what he was thinking, he knew he’d have regrets. He also knew himself better than anyone else. He knew he couldn’t say no any longer.
    She smiled at him, walking her fingers up his chest. “Where were you all weekend? I tried calling several times.”
    “I was busy,” he said, crossing his arms.
    She frowned. “Someone’s in a grumpy mood.” Veronica reached for his zipper. “Why don’t you let me help you perk up a bit, hmm.” She