Played by Love (New Adult Romance): A #Played Novella by Rachelle Ayala Read Free Book Online Page B

wobble. She blinked rapidly. “It felt real, like we belonged together. Forever.”
    “It was our characters. They wanted to act like they were in love. That’s why we won the cosplay couples prize.”
    “No, no, it was real. I felt it.” Pain threaded through her, slithering around her heart and between her ribs. He’d been so ardent, eager to please, intense. They’d had a connection, a real meeting of their inner selves.
    She drew in a faint breath and pressed her mouth closed. Why was he acting as if it had all been a game? He had to have felt it too.
    “You seemed so sincere, like you meant what you said. Our characters were from two different stories, they weren’t even have supposed to have met, or fall in love. I thought, for a moment, I thought it was me and you, not our characters.” Ella’s voice faltered. She cast her gaze down at his waist and backed away. “I’m sorry. Let me go to the spa like you planned. After that, I want to go home.”
    “And miss the awards ceremony and singles costume contest? Aren’t we meeting up with Tricia and her group?” Jaden reached for her, then withdrew his hand.
    “I don’t feel like playing anymore.” She grabbed her purse, slinging it over her shoulder. “You can stay for the rest of it, maybe find an Aerith character to play with. She’s Zach Fair’s girlfriend from Final Fantasy, not me.”
    “But, I thought you wanted to wear your Lightning costume,” Jaden said. “You worked so hard on it. You said you were prouder of it than the dress you wore last night.”
    What was he arguing with her for? It was obvious he didn’t take her seriously, that all the sweet words he’d spoken the night before was playacting. What an idiot she’d been to think he was any different from the other players on his team—the athletic gods with groupies swarming all over them.
    She could claw his beautiful eyes out, rip his silky hair from his head. Instead she turned to the door.
    “Aren’t you going to be late for your sports medicine conference? Let me get out of your way so you can prepare.” She stepped out the door and slammed it with all her might.

    # # #
    Thud. The thunderclap of the door socked Jaden’s body and sucked the air from his lungs. That last look she gave him, her eyes darting daggers while her lower lip trembled, shocked him.
    A rope of pain twisted around his heart. He hated the hurt he’d put on her face, but he’d never promised her more.
    Sure, Zack Fair had said some mushy romantic lines. He’d been caught up by the lady’s beauty, the fantasy of making love to a princess, stealing another character’s bride. Ella surely couldn’t hold it against him since she was playacting too.
    The alarm chimed on his phone again. Jaden unzipped his suitcase and dug out his soccer uniform. No time to worry about an upset female. When push came to shove, they played the guilt card, tried to trap a guy and then change him.
    It was either Ella, or quit the team and the sport he loved above everything else, throw away his dream of playing professional soccer, of representing the United States at the World Cup or Olympic games.
    He was a soccer player, and a damn good one. He was a jock, an athlete, and if Ella didn’t like it, she could stuff it.
    But as he laced on his cleats, his head throbbed and pressure built behind his sinuses. She’d gazed at him with adoration last night. She’d loved him, thoroughly pampered him, and she’d never lied to him. It must have been hard for her to come back to this very convention center, the place where she’d been molested and almost raped by that gang of douchebags. Could it be she wasn’t acting in character? That she really believed he could protect her and take her nightmares away? And why did the thought of being the fantasy man for her feel so appealing?

Chapter 8
    Ella lay on the massage table and allowed herself to be pounded and kneaded. The therapists rubbed her with anxiety relieving oils: