Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella (9 page)
Read Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella Online
Authors: Rachelle Ayala
The room was completely dark. Empty. A big joke.
Jaden slapped himself and laughed, glad for the respite. He might as well hide out here. They’d pushed him into the wrong room. He could hear the wall banging and bed squeaking in the room next door.
The only sound in his room was the gentle rattle of the ceiling fan. The air was fresh, like vanilla rain and a tropical breeze. Jaden sagged onto the bed and lay down. The sounds from the party blended, music and laughter thundering from the floor below.
Longing and desire inflamed him, and the only voice he wanted to hear was Ella’s. He called her. Of course she wasn’t answering. After four rings, the call rolled to voicemail.
“It’s me, Jaden. I miss you and wish I didn’t have to abide by your wishes to break it off. Everything Zack Fair said to Lady Daenerys was from my heart. I don’t playact, Ella, not like you. I know I’m only the actor of the day on your little stage of life, but I wasn’t playing. I’m not a player or a frat guy when I’m with you. I’m just me, Jaden Song Sloup. I never meant to fall in love, but I have. I love your ladybug, your princess, your hip-hop girl, and your warrior. But believe me when I say, the character I love the most is you, Ella Kennedy.”
“Jaden? Do you love my vampire?” Ella’s voice floated through the room.
Jaden dropped his phone and sat up, squinting. Now that his eyes had adjusted to the dark, he spied her, a shadow with her arms raised, her blond hair white against the wall. The pillar of her neck was exposed, and she wore nothing but snatches of red cloth across her breasts and around her hips.
He smashed into her, his elbows trapping both sides of her head and his body pressing hers against the wall. Biting and sucking her neck, he ground against her, enraged by the passion and need charging his blood.
Her moaning and writhing drove him in to a frenzy. He dragged his mouth across her chest, and trailed his tongue around her breasts. She tore his shirt and scratched his chest. Their lips fused, tongues plundering as he devoured her pleasured groans.
Her desperate breath rasping in his ear, she shoved his pants down and pulled out his cock. The red strips of cloth fell off her breasts, and he unwrapped her pelvis.
The beat of the music pounded in his pulse and his blood was on fire. “Tell me what you want, Ella. Tell me.”
“I want you, Jaden, I belong to you,” she gasped. “Take me now.”
In one swift move, he lifted her, scraping her back against the wall and impaled her, driving a stake up and into her vampire heart. He thrust and he plunged, each stroke shouting his love for her.
Her legs held tight around his waist and she bounced, riding him hard, as her head bopped against the wall, the sweet sexy sounds from her throat urging him to drive harder.
Jaden held back, waiting for her core to clench, for her screams to escalate, for her climax to shatter her. But she was too freaking hot. Gritting his teeth, fire burned deep in his belly like a shot of pure ice. Ella tightened her thighs and shuddered in his grip. He exploded at the same time she raked his back, crying out his name.
Holding her tight, he spun around and placed her on the bed, kissing and caressing her into the warm, balmy afterglow. He licked the salty sweat from her quivering skin and pulled her around, wrapping her with his arms and legs.
“I guess you heard my confession,” he said. “You surprised me good. I’m sorry I ever lied to you about being who I am. Even though I didn’t wear a costume, I played you into thinking I was a Korean nerd.”
She hooked her hand over her head and pulled him around face to face. “I never wanted anyone but you, Jaden. I already knew after our hip-hop date.”
“Wait. How?” He raised to his elbow and stared at her. “What was with all the ‘I wanna fuck’ in Korean?”
“Silly, I hacked your cell phone, but played along like I was clueless. You didn’t really think I was so stupid, did you?”
Uh, actually he had. But the joke was on him. He rubbed the back of his neck and grinned. “So you’re not disappointed? My mother doesn’t cook Korean food and we don’t eat with chopsticks. I promise I’ll never play you again.”
“On the contrary.” She dragged a fingertip across his lips. “I want to keep playing you over and over, lovers, forever.”
“Played by love sounds good to me.” He joined his lips to hers and kissed her with all his heart.
-THE END-
“Hey everyone, Ella here. Jaden and I would like to thank you for reading. Be sure to check out Jax and Kimber’s story. I have a bit part in there.”
“Whoa, wait. I want that part taken out. I can’t believe she says you enjoyed it.”
“I was only pretending, Jaden. What about you? You had a major deal in Jax and Kimber’s story.”
“At least I didn’t kiss Kimber.”
“I didn’t do all the nasty stuff you did.”
“Hey, you forgave me, remember?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe I better read Dani Evan’s book,
The Next Contestant
, to see what you really were doing.”
“Actually, I claim the fifth.”
“Oh no you don’t. Where’s my copy of
The Next Contestant
? I bet you haven’t told me everything.”
“Help! I’m being attacked by a mermaid. Ahhhh!!!”
“Cut, cut.” Rachelle here. I’d like to thank my best writing friend, Dani Evans, for lending Jaden Sloup and Ella Kennedy for
Played by Love
. Look for Dani’s book
The Next Contestant
where you’ll meet all your favorites, Kimber, Jax, Kolby, Vincenzo, Tiffany, Sandy and more hotness from the Kappa Alpha Omega guys. Be sure you’re over 18 and fasten your seatbelts, because
The Next Contestant
is just the beginning of Dani’s
Next
series, and the ride is hot out of this world.
Put
The Next Contestant
on your reading list today. [click here for
Goodreads
]
WARNING: Adult content with sexual scenes between two consenting adults.
It’s a contest only Jax and his fraternity brothers are playing. Whoever scores the most points wins the game.
Kimber’s a feisty young woman enjoying life. No plans for finding Mr. Right. Not when Mr. All Wrong left her in a world of deceit and crushed her spirit.
Jax is the epitome of men. His striking good looks turn heads. Lots of them. He walks past Kimber in a cloud of sex and arrogance, and he’s slowly dragging her in to his perimeters.
This wasn’t a part of Kimber’s strategy—she hadn’t planned on him and struggles to pull back, away from his striking distance, the kiss of death.
It’s a game of command and docility.
He’s gaining control.
She’s falling prey.
When stakes are high and Jax is at the top, will he let it all go for Kimber? Because choosing Kimber will end his game and he’ll certainly fail if he drops out now. And if he backs out, will Kimber still want him when she learns the dirty little fraternity secret?
I hope you enjoyed
Played by Love
. It’s the first novella in my upcoming
#Played
series featuring hot men in sports and feisty heroines doing their thing.
Up next is
Playing the Rookie
.
Jessica Song is tired of being a good girl, staying in a relationship well past closing time. Fresh from a breakup, she takes a walk on the wild side as a sports events intern.
Baseball rookie Jay Park Ahn has been burned one too many times by good girls, especially his cheating ex-fiancée. When he meets wild Jessica, he throws away all caution to enjoy her to the fullest.
Jessica and Jay agree to a week of enchanting, starry-eyed dates and wild, unrestrained sex to get their exes out of their systems.
Their pasts collide, exposing the secrets in Jessica’s heart and threatening Jay’s position on the team. Jessica must leave her disappointment behind while Jay has to decide whether Jessica comes before baseball. What will they sacrifice to turn their fling into true love?
Please visit me at my blog and watch for more titles at
http://www.rachelleayala.com/p/rachelles-romances.html
Don’t forget to check out my
Chance for Love
series and
Michal’s Window
, the novel that started it all. If you like steamy love stories, take a look at
Taming Romeo
and
Whole Latte Love.
Join my private Facebook club and have a chance to be an early reader or suggest things to me, help me name characters or just talk about what you're reading. Please check out Club Rachelle Ayala at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClubRachelleAyala/
If you liked the heat in Played by Love, you’ll love hot, studly Romeo Garcia, in Taming Romeo
Copyright © 2014 Rachelle Ayala
Evie Sanchez is recovering from heartbreak by working at her parents’ Filipino restaurant when in walks Romeo Garcia, the boy she left behind. Only now, he’s a hot movie star surrounded by gorgeous actresses and adoring fans.
Bad boy Romeo Garcia never understood why Evie stood him up at the prom. When he rescues her from a flying coconut in the dumpster, he is determined to dig into her heart for the reason. Their mutual attraction and unresolved feelings ignite in a scintillating night of daring sex, and Romeo shows Evie what she’ll miss the rest of her life if she walks away again.
Evie lands a part as Romeo’s co-star and falls into her role, totally in love. He plays his part, too, with his romantic gestures and skillful lovemaking. But is the fantasy real or revenge? Evie and Romeo are about to discover if their buried feelings will explode in pure delight or utter disaster.
Taming Romeo is a contemporary romance featuring family secrets, delicious food, and hot, steamy loves scenes.
Due to mature content, recommended for readers aged 18+.
“Second chance love is always the sweetest.” - Jessica Cassidy
“Sexy and funny, a unique take on love reignited.” – Racquel Reck
Buy
Taming Romeo
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here
if you are reading this on a Kindle.
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Excerpt Copyright © 2014 Rachelle Ayala
All Rights Reserved
Carina Chen had no time for nonsense.
“Show off.” She couldn’t help glaring at the shaggy-haired barista as he demonstrated the art of milk frothing to a gaggle of college girls.
Hair flipping and eyelashes fluttering, they oohed and ahhed nonstop while he spun milk underneath the steam nozzle. When he layered the milk over a cup of espresso, they squealed as if they were in the middle of a group orgasm.
Carina elbowed her way through the crowded coffee shop and ordered her cup from the female barista, whose line was much shorter. Serving lattes didn’t require sleek muscles and gem-blue eyes.
“Yummy.” Her friend Sheila checked her watch. “I come just to watch the show. Wonder which one he’ll take home tonight.”
“Only one?” Carina set her cup on the table. “Enough about him. I still haven’t found a room for the summer. Didn’t you say you had a friend needing a renter?”
Sheila stole her gaze from the demonstration of coffee-making prowess and licked her lips. “Yeah, let’s wait for his break, and I’ll introduce you.”
Carina looked toward the espresso machine. “
Him?
Never mind. I’m not sure I could stomach the guy. He’s got to be full of himself.”
Sheila’s eyes wandered back to the front counter and lingered. “You have to admit, he’s hotter than the Sahara.”
“That’s exactly my point.” Carina watched him hand a steaming mug to a perky cheerleader. His mischievous smile did funny things to her insides and it wasn’t even directed at her. “I need a quiet place to crash after my eighteen-hour days, not some bachelor pad with nightly orgies. I can imagine the revolving door on his bedroom. No thanks.”
Despite her hasty denial, warm flutters bubbled in her belly when the barista stepped out from behind the counter. He was broad-shouldered, but not bulky, and he moved with the easy grace of a mountain lion as he collected the empties. Heck, the man probably boosted Abercrombie & Fitch’s stock price two full points each time he bent over to wipe a table.
“You could at least meet the guy before you pass judgment.” Sheila folded her arms. “Look, the important thing is, he has a great apartment close to the Berkeley BART station.”
Easy access to rapid transit was a point in his favor, but … “You sure he’s safe?”
“I promise. Dylan’s a boy scout. Besides,” Sheila said with a sly smile, “an orgy or two might do you some good.”
While Carina struggled to close her gaping mouth, Sheila raised a hand to wave him over.
Dylan wiped his palms on his apron and pulled a stool from the next table.
“Hey, what’s up?” He greeted Sheila with a nod and trained his eyes on Carina.
Up close, he was even more swoonworthy. Wavy brown hair hung almost to his neck, and his jaw was stubbly, as if he’d forgotten to shave a day or two. His presence filled all available breathing space between them, and his piercing gaze felt like a tractor beam drawing Carina toward him.
“Dyl, this is Carina Chen. She needs a room to rent,” Sheila said. “She’s working at Mogul this summer.”
“Nice to meet you,” Dylan said. “Investment banking?”
“Intern analyst.” Carina tamped down the pride swelling in her chest as well as a more worrying heat in her lower regions. “I got the offer two days ago, last minute.”
“Cool!” He gave her a thumbs up, and the thick silver cuff on his wrist glinted in the late afternoon sunlight coming through the window. “My roommate moved out two days ago. Must be fate.”
It had to be the sun’s heat that was making her sweat under her suit jacket. Nope, it was definitely not Dylan’s sideways grin nor the way his veins moved over his large hands when he flexed his fingers.
“How much?” Carina’s voice barely squeaked past her tight vocal cords.
“Your share of the rent’s twelve-hundred a month. We split the utilities. You get your own bedroom but we’ll share a bathroom.”
Sharing a bathroom with a guy might get tricky. Where would she hide her feminine products?
“You’ll love it.” Sheila cut in. “It’s close to shopping, restaurants, and the campus.”
“That’s so much more than I paid in Philadelphia,” Carina said. “I don’t know Berkeley very well. Is that what rentals go for around here?”
“It’s much less than San Francisco, especially the Financial District.” Sheila hopped off her barstool. “I gotta hit the loo. Text me when you’re ready to leave.”
“Wait, I’m not sure.” Carina faltered. Why was she acting like this was a blind date? It wasn’t like she hadn’t lived in a coed dorm before. Besides, a guy satisfied to work in a coffee shop was not her type, so there should be no worries whatsoever about wanting him for a boyfriend.
Dylan placed his smartphone on the table. “I have to get back to the job. Call yourself from my cell so I’ll have your number.”
Zing.
His killer grin hit the mark, right between her thighs. The guy knew what he was doing. Oh no, she wasn’t giving her number to that kind of man. She’d ask Sheila if she knew of any women needing roommates. She still had one more day to hit the streets and go over listings, and she most definitely was not going to be another phone number on his to-call list.
“I still have a few other places to check out.” Carina picked up her coffee cup. “Do you think I could get a takeout cup for this?”
Dylan grasped the handle, his fingers lingering a beat too long against hers. “Even better. I’ll make you a new one. This one’s cold.”
Carina’s cheeks warmed as a tingly shiver worked its way up her arm. Geez, she wasn’t usually this hormonal.
“Wait, your phone …” Carina picked up Dylan’s phone and walked toward the counter where he prepared the coffee. A poster plastered on the wall showed him strutting with his guitar onstage with a band called The Licked Blues. They had a gig at a club later this evening. Typical. Another guy wasting his life away with no prospect of financial success.
“Almost done.” Dylan layered the espresso on the bottom of the cup and dipped the milk pitcher up, then lowered it and cut across.
Carina gasped as a creamy heart floated to the top.
He handed her the takeout cup and rested one elbow on the counter. “Carina, if you room with me, I’ll have one of these for you every morning.”
His voice caressed her name like the languid beckon of a lover calling her back to bed.
Carina swallowed hard, but before she could respond, Dylan swung toward an elderly woman positioning her walker to get out of a booth. The college girls waved and vied for his attention, but he took his time helping the woman to the door before going back for their orders.
I’m a goner now.
Carina typed her number into Dylan’s phone.
END of EXCERPT
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