Read Playing a Little for Free Online

my last great piece before I leave this earth…”
    “Cut the shit, Arthur. You’re too damn ornery to die anytime soon.”
    “You never know… I’m old, fat, drink too much, and never rest. This old ticker could go at any time. It’s happened before…”
    “Damn it! Okay, I’ll find her. Just lay off.”
    “Do whatever you want, Erik. Don’t let me stop you. By the way, make sure Stan takes your side after you bring her back to the guest house, okay? Like I said, he seemed annoyed when I handed him a blank script and told him my thoughts. Just remember that he had enough influence over her to veto this, so we need his backing. It is time to put the Renault charm to work, my boy. Get me that contract.”
    Growling, Erik left the room knowing quite well that his old friend was laughing at his ability to guilt the younger man into cooperating, especially with the threat of another heart attack. Arthur barely survived the first one that occurred when Erik was only seventeen, and had used it to his advantage whenever he needed to convince his foster son to do his bidding.
    Erik’s eye rested on the spot where Camille sat huddled next to the larger fire in the living room, occasionally shivering under a warm blanket and holding a cup of freshly brewed tea. She looked so utterly miserable, and so very young!
    “Hey, I’m sorry if I said anything to hurt your feelings. I didn’t mean to,” Erik forced out. His heart wrenched as she slowly looked up at him, her eyes red from crying. She looked pathetic, very vulnerable, and adorably cute dressed in his oversized clothing. He felt his chest tighten and sat down across from her, reaching for her hand. “I swear, Cam. It had nothing to do with you. I didn’t even know you were my leading lady until yesterday. Arthur connived me into accepting this role months ago. He never let on about his crazy plans.”
    “Yeah, right…”
    “I swear. Had he told me that you were being considered for the part, I would have jumped right on board. You’re an incredible actress and I feel honored to work with you.”
    “Let’s face it, Erik. If I looked like Marilyn Monroe or someone gorgeous like that, you would have…”
    “Refused. She’s a little too plain for my liking,” Erik grinned. “Plus, I like soft, sweet, and gentle. And I have a very soft spot for red hair and freckles. Particularly in an age-play scenario.”
    “Soft, sweet, and gentle? Then you certainly aren’t talking about me. I bite, remember?”
    “I will never forget. I had a bruise on my leg for days. I’m sure you remember a bit of a bruise as well?” he asked mischievously.
    Camille blushed, looking into her teacup. “Your reaction surprised me more than anything. But I admit that I deserved it. I just wanted the scene to appear to be real. I hadn’t expected it to take that turn.”
    “You avoided me like the plague for the rest of the shoot, too. But you were a little girl then. Now you’re an adult, but still haven’t grown out of your Pippi-tails.”
    “I hated that hairstyle. I will never wear pigtails or anything that even remotely resembles them again,” Camille shuddered. Erik raised an eyebrow, picturing how endearing she would look with that mass of copper hair done up in high ponytails, showing off the baby fat chubbiness that still remained in her cheeks.
    “Do you think we can do this? We have to live together for up to three months and I want to make sure you aren’t going to try to kill me in my sleep.”
    “I wouldn’t kill you. Bite you, maybe… I mean… ohhhh.” Camille’s face reddened as he laughed loudly.
    “You are too easy to embarrass. I’m going to have fun with you. Just wait.”
    “I haven’t made up my mind yet, so don’t push it. Do we even have any idea of the plot?” Camille asked, sinking deeper into the couch as though she were trying to hide.
    “Not really. Arthur mentioned it to be an experiment in the genre of age-play,” he stated