Page 30 of Player For Hire

“Yes. I mean, I don’t have the money now, but like an investment.”

“Investment?” Had I already fallen asleep and was dreaming? There had to be some logical explanation for this entire conversation.

“And you said earlier—you know, when we were at the library coffee shop—that you’d help me. I mean, if you’re still attracted to me. Are you still attracted to me?”

What the hell was I supposed to say to that?

“Naomi…”

“This will be a mutually benefissshul—beneficial—” She covered her face. “I’m messing this up.”

I set the bag down and pulled her hands away. “You’re not. But you’re not paying me for sex, Naomi.”

“I’m going to be asking you to do lots of stuff.” She lifted her chin and stared directly into my eyes. “Lots of stuff. I want to learn everything.”

“Jesus.” Just the thought of her in my bed was enough to put me on the floor, but to want to try everything with me? Everything was a big word and covered so many things.

“So you should be investment, I mean, invested in it too.”

“Naomi, you’re really drunk. You don’t even know what you’re saying.”

“But I do. I really do.” Her voice pitched low in a stage whisper that definitely still carried. “I want orgasms. I want to learn what it’s like to love sex. It’s really sad to realize that all three guys I’ve slept with were bad at it. It makes a girl wonder if it’s her.”

“It’s not.” I swallowed down a groan and was very happy that I’d untucked my shirt because my dick was super interested in her offer. “But sex isn’t transactional. At least it isn’t for me.”

“But I’m going to be super annoying asking all sorts of things. Like about you and how you like things. How your male brain works about it.”

“How long have you been thinking about this?”

“Like…what time is it?”

“After three.” Seemed like way after at this point, but I was certain of nothing at this point. Had I entered an alternate reality?

“Gosh, that means it’s been hours. Me and Iona have been talking about my book, but we’re girls, you know?”

“You certainly are.” At a loss, I shoved my fingers through my hair.

“I need the male point of view. What is it like to want a woman? How does it feel for you? What’s it like when you get hard? I have so many questions. I want to be authentic.”

I was officially in a whole new dimension.

“Naomi.”

She stepped closer to me, her toes bumping into my scuffed work kicks. She laid her hand on my chest and leaned in. “I want you to be the one to teach me.”

“You’re killing me.” I knew she was drunk. Not sloppy with it, but she was definitely well past the point of having a filter. And I was tired and weak.

“Just think about it.”

“I don’t have to think about it, dammit.” I slid an arm around her waist and dragged her close. “I just don’t want you to regret this tomorrow. Will you even remember it?” My mouth hovered over hers. I could practically taste the crisp wine on her breath.

I was a damn bartender. I knew every scent that came with alcohol.

“You’ll do it?” She licked her lips.

“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”

She went up on her toes and closed the gap. Her lips were so damn soft. I tasted the sweet wine and even sweeter Naomi.