“Evy?” He spoke against my mouth, and I hummed my acknowledgement, my lips moving into the crook of his neck where for just a second I allowed the spicy scent of leather to encase my soul.
“We have a very captive audience.” He said with a hint of humour.
Reluctantly, I turned to find not only the girls all watching us with open mouths, but Andy, Jack and Jay equally as stunned.
“That was nearly indecent, Evangeline,” Arna squealed from Andy’s lap.
“Hot!” Felicity mouthed in my direction, giving a shoulder bump to Marlee before adding loudly, “Look at your sister-in-law.”
Marls nodded mischievously, winking at me as if we were co-conspirators in some inside joke I was yet to be let in on.
“Bro, you’re lucky Seb isn’t here,” Jay called and when everyone burst into laughter, I shot a grin of my own up at Cooper.
“Would have been worth seeing Coop get his arse kicked,” Andy mocked and Cooper tsked.
“Man, I’d love to see those two go at it,” Jack added, and Winter slapped him playfully on the forearm in reprimand.
“My money would be on Seb,” Andy added, intentionally goading. “What do you think, Marls?”
Marlee looked as though she were watching an Oscar worthy performance, her attention entirely fixated on Cooper.
“I think my money would be on Evangeline,” she gleamed, and I laughed.
“True. If anyone was going to lay two men down, it would be our little firecracker, Eva,” Flick chimed in.
“Is that what you’re into, Autumn?” Jay cooed and everyone spun to face Felicity, ready for her quick-witted reply, only shesurprised us all by simply shaking her head dismissively before raising her glass.
“To our newly engaged and very clearly in love friends.” Her tactical pivot was crisp, and I noticed the narrowing of Jay’s gaze before he covered it with a smile and raised his own glass.
“Never thought I’d see the day.” He directed towards Coop who laughed easily.
“The day I’d get engaged, Coach, or your boys would get whacked by fifty?” Coop shot back, starting a playfully heated argument about the way the Hearts were in a slump lasting longer than anyone expected.
“I love you, babe, but this is boring. I’m going to dance,” Arna said when the conversation turned into discussions on trading players before gesturing for everyone to shuffle so she could hop out from behind the table. “Who’s coming?”
“Definitely me!” Flick said as Marlee also stood.
“As much as I could contribute to this conversation and need to tell you why you don’t want that young Talons’ defender,” Marlee directed to Jay, “duty calls.” She threw a thumb over her shoulder towards the dance floor.
“Ooooh, me too,” I called, spotting Seb on his way back and knowing it would help ease some of Coop’s tension. Marlee planted a chaste kiss on my brother’s lips and kept walking while I filled him in on where we were headed.
“Seb, can Win and I chill in your office for a bit, it’s loud out here.” Jack asked and when my brother nodded, Winter looked more than grateful.
“You good if I stay?” Cooper asked as Seb chimed into the football discussion.
“Of course. Plenty of other guys out there to dance with,” I joked, only he gripped my wrist, halting me from leaving. The fire in his eyes sent a pulsing of heat between my legs and I bit my lip to hide my smile.
“If anyone touches you, I’ll rip their throat out,” he gritted,and I giggled. I knew he was serious; I could see the envy pouring off him in waves, only my cocktail laced brain thought it was fun to poke the bear. Found the malevolence a turn on and the thrill of goading him erotic.
“Better keep watch then,” I nudged, leaning onto my toes to press a teasing kiss to his jaw, before I turned to walk away. His grip on my wrist tightened and shockingly, he swung me back until I slammed into him, my hands flying to his chest. Gripping my left hand, he pressed a swift kiss to my palm.
“While you wear this ring, you’re mine, Evangeline, do you understand?” The commitment in his words was soft, spoken for me only.
I shivered, utterly spellbound and left wondering if I’d ever been so horny.
Part of me wanted to tease him some more. To find someone to dance with and see what it took to send him over the edge while the other half wanted to beg him to take me home and prove his words to me.
“Nowthatlittle speech was memorable,” I grinned, with false bravado. The mixture of alcohol and lust giving me a confidence I normally wouldn’t have. Daring me to be bold even if it ruined me. So, I ignored the tiny voice reminding me of the rules and I decided to start feeling rather than thinking. At least for tonight.
