Free Players (Lessons by Loki) by Aubrey Ross

you didn’t pay much for her.”
    She tried to remember that this was jealousy talking, but the snide comment still hurt.
    Rather than give in to the insults, she stepped forward and held out her hand. “Katie Mayfield. My rates are extremely reasonable. Would you like me to email you a list?”
    Vanessa gasped then her eyes widened. “You’re that little girl from across the street.”
    Little girl? Was that more or less of an insult than trollop? “Guilty as charged.” She plastered on her sweetest smile. “Thanks for breaking Chase’s heart. If you hadn’t, I couldn’t have been there to pick up the pieces.”
    “You’re welcome to him.” Vanessa huffed. “He’s way more trouble than he’s worth.” She turned on the ball of her foot and stalked off as fast as her stilettos would tolerate.
    “Was she always that bitchy?” She looked up at Chase and found his gaze fixed on Vanessa’s back.
    “No.” Then he shook away the spell and said, “Yes. It was always there. It was just aimed at others until three weeks ago. Or maybe I was just too blinded by her beauty to see what she was really like.”
    They’d been together for almost a year. If lust was all he’d felt for her, it was more than likely the attraction wouldn’t have lasted so long. He’d cared for Vanessa deeply, cared for her still. The real question was did he truly want to move on or should Katie be helping him win Vanessa back?
    Help him? Why the hell would she help him do anything? He was trying to seduce her as part of a bet with his best friend! For a minute there she’d been so immersed in her role, she’d forgotten the true purpose for this outing.
    “Do you play pool?” He nodded toward the pool tables lining the back wall of the club.
    “Badly.”
    “Good.” He grinned. “It will give me plenty of reasons to instruct you.”
    And instruct her, he did. He pressed against her back and wrapped his arms around her as he helped her position the cue. They frequently paused for leisurely kisses and daring touches that left them both breathless. But each time they broke apart, Katie firmly reminded herself that she was playing a part. This wasn’t real. She couldn’t allow her insides to melt or her pulse to race with anticipation.
    Michael, the birthday boy, stopped by with his fiancée. She was all smiles and giggles, and spoke of nothing but wedding plans. Katie pretended to listen as she rambled on and on. The men huddled at one end of the pool table, speaking in hushed tones, which stranded her with the effusive bride-to-be.
    By the time Michael motioned his fiancée onward, Katie was ready to pull her hair out. “Oh my God, that woman has a one-track mind.”
    “Michael’s not much better. We’re hoping their personalities will return once the wedding is over.” He looked around, obviously searching for Vanessa. “I guess I’ve tortured you enough for one night. It’s been almost two hours.”
    They handed the cues to the couple waiting for the table and picked their way through the crowd. Katie was torn by her discovery. She liked Chase, had always found him physically attractive, but he was obviously still hung up on his old flame. Even pretending to want his attention was going to be hard. Inwardly she cringed. It hadn’t been hard to let him kiss her. She’d enjoyed the feel of his strong body and the firm , skilled slide of his lips. But it hadn’t stirred the same instinctual hunger that she’d felt when Josiah kissed her. It was all very confusing.
    They stepped out into the cool spring night and Katie shivered. The air was mild, but it felt cold after the packed nightclub.
    Chase could see the Porsche in the adjacent parking lot, so he asked the valet to just give him the keys. After receiving a generous tip, the valet agreed. They walked across the street, his arm resting across her shoulders. “Thanks for this.” He looked down at her as he squeezed her shoulder. “I had fun.”
    A feminine laugh