“Yeah,” chimed in Josie. “Don’t be an ass just because she called you out.”
I sank back into Gabe’s body, hoping it looked natural. My entire body was on edge, but we needed to sell this to everyone. “He can handle me just fine, thank you very much.” My voice probably had too much bite in it, but this man had irked me.
Gabe chuckled, his breath caressing my ear, and I tamped down the need to shudder. His fingers tightened on my waist, and I felt his touch all the way down to my toes. Why was he so warm and comforting? And why did I want to sink further into him?
Then the cocky man grinned. “Good to hear. Tucks is a good guy but a bit too sweet sometimes.”
“Why are you such as ass?” Gabe said to his teammate.
“Just looking out for you, buddy,” Sin said.
“Damn, your arrogance is annoying,” Harper said.
He winked. “You mean charming.”
This guy was beyond over-the-top.
Both Harper and Josie rolled their eyes, but Sin just smirked.
“So, how did you two meet?” Sin asked.
“Uh, you know, just at a bar one night.”
Sin put his hand on his chest. “You cheated on Simone with another bar?”
“Dude, why are you so fucking dramatic?” Tally asked.
“I know, right?” Josie said, giving me a wink. “But I’ve come to terms with his cheating because I can already tell Dani is awesome. Just promise you’ll come by on my next shift so I can treat you to a burger.”
Micah just shook his head at his girlfriend. These people were a lot, but also entertaining, and I appreciated Josie fully embracing our ruse.
“If you’re done?” Tally shot Sin anover itlook.
In response, Sin slung his arm over Tally’s shoulder. “Never. I’m never done. Part of my charm, remember?”
“Don’t worry. He’s all talk, but he’s harmless,” another woman said, nudging Sin’s arm away from Tally and snaking her own around Tally’s waist. Then she held out her free hand to me. “Hi, I’m Cora, Tally’s girlfriend. It’s very nice to meet you. And sorry if we’re a bit overwhelming.” She shot Sin a glare. “The boys just can’t help themselves sometimes.”
I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. And, uh, everyone else, as well.”
Gabe’s hand lightly squeezed my hip. I wasn’t sure if he was trying to reassure me or look flirty, but it didn’t help calm me down; instead, his touch frustratingly made me want to kiss him.
Fuck it.
I tipped my head back and kissed his jaw. He froze behind me, and I tried not to gasp when he dragged his thumb across the small of my back.
“So, you’re coming to our charity event tomorrow night, right?” Cora’s voice broke through the lust-fog I was currently experiencing.
“What?”
“Shit. Sorry, Tucks,” Cora said.
Gabe straightened up behind me. “No, I just forgot to ask her.”
Cora shook her head. “Oh, Tucks. Seriously?”
Gabe shifted us so he was facing me. “Hey, Dani, you up for a team charity event tomorrow night?”
“We’ll all be there looking dressed up and hot,” Sin interjected. “You’ll love it.”
