Played (Elite PR) Read Free Page A

from—she checked her watch—the hour and fifty minutes she had left for sleep. She had the world to conquer in the morning.
    In front of her door at the top of the landing, she reached into her bag for the keys. But as she did, her panties fell out of her purse. Not yet accustomed to her new adventurous side, she completely forgot they were in there. Shit, this was not the first impression she wanted to make with her new housemate.
    Maybe he didn’t see.
    She quickly bent down to grab her underwear, not daring to look back, but the man’s amused chuckle told her all she needed to know. He was definitely a witness to her little humiliation.
    “Not what it looks like,” she lied, finally pulling her keys from the bag. She squared her shoulders and, despite the ticking clock, she took her time with the lock. She would not be shamed for…okay, yes, it was called the walk of shame for a reason. Still, she wouldn’t be humiliated for her choices. Damn it.
    “Whatever you say, princess,” he said. “It’s no crime.” And for a brief second, she wanted to turn around. One, to see who this velvety voice belonged to, and two, to give him one of her death glares.
    She resisted, opened her door, and let it slam behind her. Maybe not what Scarlett would do, but she needed her sleep first. Yes, sleep. Then she’d make her mark on the world.
    And she had just four weeks to do it.

Chapter Two
    Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight.
    —Johnny Cash
    A aron Major often felt like his idol—with two distinct personalities battling for control. There was the normal guy—the family-loving, church-going, dog-petting man who’d lend a hand whenever he could. And then there was the star—the egotistical, attention-seeking, skirt-chasing, whiskey-drinking asshole who didn’t give two shits about anyone other than himself.
    Though his star had fallen quite some time ago, he could feel remnants of the guy he used to be lurking beneath his skin, waiting to come out and play. His new neighbor was exactly the kind of woman who provoked that guy. And she was exactly what Aaron Major was trying to stay away from: temptation…and things that fucked with his head in general.
    That sexy Southern belle was guilty of both offenses.
    He hefted another box up the flight of stairs, but her scent in the hallway was enough to do him in. Spicy, floral, and something else that filled his head with filthy thoughts. He could write an entire album about her scent.
    Their little meeting in the hallway was a teaser, and he wanted more. A nice long look. But that wasn’t going to happen. He wasn’t going down that road again.
    With only a few things left in the truck, he’d simply have to power through it. And then? Take a cold shower.
    What should’ve taken him a handful of trips, he managed in two. So by the time he finished and dropped to the couch in his new living room, he was moments away from a heart attack. His chest ached and each breath was labored, painful to release, making his head spin. All because of a woman.
    Not fucking normal, Major. Now pull it together.
    He took stock of his new place: recently remodeled, with high ceilings and beautiful chestnut woodwork. It already felt like home. It may have been quite a step down from where he’d once been, but it was a step up from his last place. And that felt like the perfect position to be in, considering.
    He arranged his living room, happy he found some guys to help haul in the heavy stuff the night before, all for the bargain price of a case of beer. He mounted his flat screen and shuffled a few boxes around, until he located the one marked “bathroom.” Pulling out the essentials—towels, soap, and the like—he went into the shower to take care of business. And by business, he meant his aching cock.
    Mercy, he’d tried to play it cool with her, but once he stole a peek at the sassy blonde who came storming into his new home,