Play With Me: Hotel D, #7

By Nika Stone

My crush on my brother's best friend never went away. Now that we're all grown up, can we take a chance on us?

 

Moving back to my hometown is giving me a fresh start, but it also means reconnecting with people from my past. People like my brother's best friend, Joshua Brennan. Josh was the boy I always wanted — and the one I never could have.

All these years later, he's dreamier than ever. And when my secret life as a sex columnist is revealed, Josh not only defends me, he agrees to help with my research. We try to keep things professional, but the spark between us won't be denied.

When our new relationship is revealed, Josh and I have to decide: are we just trying to rewrite history? Or could the passion between us become a true love story?

 

Play With Me is the seventh book in the Hotel D series. These short, steamy romances feature mature couples who know what they want, in the bedroom and out! Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heartbound Press
• Release date: Feb 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223947813

Book preview

Mia

No. Conference. Sex.

In some ways, business conferences are all the same. Too many people in too little space, all telling stories they’ve told too many times before. Although the setting is exquisite — the swanky Hotel D in downtown Portland — and the meditation and breath work components add an interesting twist, I’m slightly skeptical that Ria Black’s Bridge to Better event is an exception.

It has been good so far. All that meditation was extremely relaxing. But now it’s lunchtime, and I need to find some interviewees for the article I’m writing about this event. So I adjust my name tag, straighten my blouse and remind myself of the cardinal rule:

No. Conference. Sex.

Not that it will be difficult to avoid. These obsessed entrepreneurs are far more likely to bore you to death with a long conversation about SEO than to get you worked up enough for S-E-X.

Still, there’s always that tiny possibility, isn’t there? A little frisson of expectation. The sense, however minuscule, that trying something new might lead to an adventure. As if stepping out of your regular environment means your regular rules don’t apply.

My rules, however, are firmly in place. As my cousin Cara put it no touchy, no lookie, no fooling around, no nookie.

We were sitting in her kitchen when she laid down the law. I scoffed at her lecture.

Easy for you to say, I’d argued. First of all, cuz, you’re in no position to judge, considering how you had a whole engagement and a wedding in a single week. I had to move my whole life around just to be there.

She had the grace to blush, but I kept going.

"Furthermore, you are married to a hot doctor who worships the ground you walk on. Y’all are the most sickeningly in love people I’ve ever met."

Don’t say he’s hot. She’d rolled her eyes as her husband Nik wandered into the kitchen. I’ll never hear the end of it.

Too late, my love. He puffed up his chest like a pigeon. Cara covered her face with her hands, groaning in despair. I’m putting that on my CV!

He’d kissed her then. It was quick, casual, almost inconsequential. One of those sweet drive-by smooches couples do a thousand times a day. But casual as it was, it still made her cheeks glow even pinker and her eyes glaze over with that veil of infatuation that says I have found my person. I have become we and isn’t it wonderful?

While I love them both, the thought of me becoming a we sounds kind of terrible. I’m not sure what instinct other people have that makes you want that — but mine is entirely broken.

After Nik left, Cara turned to me. My situation was unusual. But you, Mia — you have a tendency to find some trouble and get into it. I mean, sex is the reason you moved back to Portland in the first place.

I’d sighed. She was right. And the extra crappy part is: it wasn’t even great sex. Certainly not the kind you think will change your life. But one mediocre hookup led me here. Now I’m facing my worst fear — being stuck in my childhood bedroom as an adult — in real time.

(Okay, it’s not my worst worst fear — after all, a snake did not zoom up through our septic system, work its way into our toilet and bite me in the ass — but it’s for sure in the top ten.)

Mia? Is that you?

That voice. Oh, shit. It’s too late to hide, and I can’t pretend I didn’t hear him. My head whipped around like an owl’s when he called my name. I’ll just have to brazen my way through this.

I turn around. A giant man with flaming red hair and a really ugly plaid shirt is approaching.

Oh, thank God. It’s not him. My heartbeat returns to a normal pace. Though I can’t tell if my disappointment or my relief is stronger.

Hey, Leo, I reply. I stick out my hand, but he ignores it and pulls me in for a hug. That’s one thing about the younger Brennan boys. They can be standoffish at first, but once you’re in, you’re in. Mandatory hugs for life.

It’s great to see you, he says into my hair. I didn’t know you were in town.

I extract myself from his arms and step back, smoothing my braids. I’ve only been here about a week. Haven’t had time to catch up with anyone yet.

Since it’s lunchtime, Leo and I eat together while we talk. My interviews can wait until later, and I think Leo’s just happy to have someone he already knows to talk with. I’ve been away for four years, so there’s a fair bit to catch up on.

For example, Leo going solo in his woodworking business. I’m not surprised. He’s gifted at that — he was just too used to being the ‘and son’ part of Brennan & Son to realize what a star he is.

He asks if I’m still writing, and I explain that I’m attending the conference on behalf of the magazine I write for. He’s suitably impressed.

How’s your family doing?

You know how they are, he says. When I raise a brow, he laughs. Not literally, of course. But pretty much the same as when you left. Alex is still a lawyer, still a bossy a-hole. Jake’s got a candy-making business. And Kath is never leaving college. I’m pretty sure she’s going for her doctorate.

I give him my sternest side eye. Leo makes an innocent face, but the twinkle in his eye gives him away. He knows what he’s doing.

I’m not going to ask.

I’m not.

I fold my arms across my chest and wait. Leo laughs out loud at my mulishness.

Fine, fine. Since you’re so desperate to find out. He picks up an apple, tosses it back and forth between his hands. The four of us boys and mum, we opened a maker space down in Brooklyn. It’s sort of an incubator for creative businesses. Josh is the manager there.

Great. That’s really great. My voice remains steady, despite the way my heart leaps at the mention of Josh’s name. I’m proud of myself. So far, so good.

Leo looks like he wants to say more, but I hop in before he can.

You know what? I’d love to do an article about that. Can’t promise anything without talking to my editor, but the magazine loves promoting local business. What do you think? You want to be famous, Leo?

I, um. That is, he stammers. Um. No.

Now it’s my turn to twinkle at him. Leo’s always been the shyest Brennan in