Sophie's Playboy by Natalie J. Damschroder

noted the high color in her cheeks, the tendrils of hair that waved around her face, and the still-heaving gasp of her breath. She looked excited. And not video-game excited, either.
    "He's not your type," she told her reflection. The words rang false, and she wondered how fast this train would carry her to her downfall.

    * * * *
    You moved too fast . Parker cursed and downed the last of his watered-down drink. Too fast, his ass. He hadn't even leaned toward her and the woman ran away like he'd ripped off her clothes.
    Which, admittedly, he really wanted to do.
    It had been over a hundred degrees in the shade today, and Sophie had worn a tiny pale pink top with khaki shorts that showed all her leg. The scoop neck had promised much and delivered nothing, to his annoyance, and he had to admit he was even turned on by the matching pink toenails visible in her rugged sandals.
    What was he going to do? He worked with her now. Okay, so he didn't need the job, and he'd only taken it to be near Sophie. But he hadn't foreseen the problems it could cause.
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    Sophie's Playboy
    by Natalie Damschroder
    Sophie was a challenge, and even the lightest-headed women knew what a challenge meant to a man. Parker had no doubt that after they dated for a while—truly dated, not for the show—he'd be moving on.
    The bartender put a bowl of pretzel sticks in front of him and he took one to munch. He knew Sophie was attracted to him. He could rush things along, seduce her, and get it over with. But the mere thought of it disgusted him. This was the first time ending a liaison would have repercussions beyond the affair.
    He reached across the guy next to him at the bar and grabbed a handful of peanuts. If he encouraged their natural attraction and hastened the downfall of the relationship, it would do irreparable damage to Rant and Rave. Sophie had definitely found her niche, and he wanted her to succeed. It was a good show. People liked it. Unfortunately, people seemed to like it better with him , upping the ante in this game he used to be so good at. So maybe he needed to rethink his priorities.
    When his thoughts began to slip into long-term considerations, he put the brakes on. Anything longer than a few months was unacceptable. Long-term meant emotional commitment, which meant someone was going to get hurt.
    He'd seen it happen with his father. The last thing he ever wanted people to say about him was that he was like Biff the Senior.
    Sophie emerged from the bathroom and happiness rose without Parker's permission. He liked just being near her, and seeing her was the best part of his day.
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    Sophie's Playboy
    by Natalie Damschroder
    He was in deep trouble.

    * * * *
    Sophie was in trouble.
    She saw it coming across the main room the day after her outing with Parker. She refused to call it a date. It was not preplanned, they'd paid for their own drinks and games, and he did not kiss her at the end of the night.
    But her heart didn't care about definitions. It didn't care about unsuitability or the words "no future." Her heart cared about what made her feel good. Watching Parker cross an office made her feel good.
    Hell.
    She hit the intercom button. "Melina, want to get dinner with me after the show?" She hoped she sounded casual, but when Melina looked through the window at Sophie, then at Parker just settling into his seat, her knowing smile indicated she'd heard desperation instead.
    Double hell.
    Not only was she getting all worked up over a playboy , she was going to get teased about it.
    "Sure, Sophie. I'd enjoy that."
    Sophie figured she'd manage to get through the show, but she didn't anticipate her level of enjoyment or how fast time would go. Melina had to remind them of every break and seven o'clock seemed to hit them just after five.
    As the jingle took over, Parker removed his headphones.
    "Soph, wanna grab a bite—"
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    Sophie's Playboy
    by Natalie Damschroder
    "Ready, Sophie?" Melina's entrance interrupted Parker.
    Sophie