“You’re not a fan of grinding?”
“There will benogrinding.” Brody flips off the light and walks into my room, letting out a whistle. “God damn, Hannah. Look at you.”
“Too much?” I pull on the hem of my short silver dress, hoping I didn’t overdo it. “I have a black dress I can put on instead.”
“Don’t you dare.” He rests a hand on my hip and moves my hair away from my neck, kissing me there. “What a lucky bastard am I that you’re coming home with me after.”
“That’s determined by how well you dance.” I giggle when he licks my throat, cupping my ass with both hands. “We need to get going. The Uber will be here any minute, and we’re already behind schedule.”
“In a minute,” Brody mumbles, bunching my dress at my waist. He hisses when he finds my bare ass. “No underwear? Are you trying to kill me?”
“Don’t think it was for you. The lines would ruin the outfit, and I want to look good for my best friend’s big night! Unhand me, you strong man.” I put a hand on his chest, not bothering to fight him off. “You look good too. This shirt? And your jeans?” I touch the collar of his light blue top. “You sure are stylish, BB.”
“This is my first time at a gay bar. And I dressed okay? Too casual? I brought options.”
“You’re perfect.” I kiss his cheek and grab my purse. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you’re giving up one of your free nights during the playoffs to spend time with my best friend.”
“Is there going to be a test?” he asks.
“No. Tierney isn’t like that.” We file out of my apartment, hand in hand. Brody keeps the bouquet he bought for her close to his chest. “As long as her friends are happy, she’s happy.”
In the elevator, he crowds my space. He runs his hand up my leg, stopping at the top of my thigh. “It’s a shame you don’t live on a higher floor so I could get you off on the way to the lobby.” He pushes a single finger inside me, covering my mouth when I try to moan. “Guess I have to settle for teasing you.”
Nobody else joins us in the elevator, but the ride down goes far too fast. I’m panting by the time the doors open, heat rolling through me Brody carefully pulls his finger out of me and licks it clean as we step outside.
“You’re a menace,” I say, climbing into the backseat of the Uber. “And a tease.”
“You like it,” he murmurs in my ear, pressing a kiss to my forehead.
No, I want to say.I love it.
I love you.
I almost let it slip yesterday when he handed me a pancake for breakfast, but I chugged my glass of orange juice instead. I think he’s almost said it too though. Last week, he looked at me across the couch. Started to say something, then grabbed his phone, mumbling about lineup changes under his breath.
His shyness made me fall in love with him a little bit more.
The club is loud when we get there, and I thank the bouncer when he lets us in. We find Tierney in a VIP section toward the back of the room, and she squeals when she spots us.
“There you are!” She springs to her feet, giving me hug. “You look gorgeous, Han.”
“So do you, birthday girl. Gold is your color.” I squeeze her hand. “This is Brody, my?—”
“Boyfriend,” he finishes for me, and my grin threatens to break free when he holds out the flowers to Tierney. “These are for you. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Look who’s out here raising the standard.” She accepts the gift and pulls him in for a hug too. “I normally think men are shit, but I’ll make an exception for you after you found a way to make it to Hannah’s competition.”
“I’d do anything to make her happy.” His arm slides around my waist, so easy and natural. I lean against his chest. “And I’m going to do my best not to let you down.”
“Drinks are free, courtesy of Jamal paying for the open bar.” She gestures in the direction of her brother who is chatting with a girl in the booth. “Help yourself to whatever you want! We’re going to do cake a little later, but I need to do some dancing first.”
“We’re going to grab a drink and meet you out there,” I tell her, kissing her cheek. “You’re not allowed to lift a finger tonight unless it’s to drink a glass of champagne.”
“I wish it could be my birthday every day.”
With the shake of her hips, she makes her way to the dance floor, finding a pretty girl with dark hair to slide up next to.
“What do you want to drink?” I yell over the music, leading Brody over to the bar. He folds himself behind me, hands on my hips. “I’m going to do a whiskey and ginger ale.”
