“We just started dating,” Ash says as his hand slips further around my waist, and I think I stop breathing. Butterflies explode in my stomach, and my mouth drops open as I look up at him, but he just smiles at me.
Drew must notice my shock because he asks, “Does…she know she’s dating you?”
“Yes,” I say before Ash can answer. “I just didn’t think we were telling anyone about it yet.” I look pointedly at him. “You being a public figure.”
He shrugs. “I’m not announcing it to the media or anything, but thecat’s pretty much out of the bag with you being here tonight, hanging with me and the guys.”
Ash gestures to their private area in the corner, and Drew’s eyes widen as he looks at the two couches of pro NHLers near the back of the club.
“Holy shit,” Drew says. “Is that Kingston? And Petruck? Wow, that looks like a fun time.”
As loud as it is in here, I still hear the longing in his voice. He’s hoping for an invite to come hang out or at least meet the players.
“It is,” Ash says. “Good to meet you, Drew. Come on, baby.”
Ash turns us around and shepherds me through the crowd with his arm still around my waist. I can’t help giving the bouncer who wouldn’t let me through a snide look as we pass, then chide myself for acting like I’m twelve.
“Sorry,” Ash says as he leads me toward the couch. “I couldn’t hear my phone. I just got your messages.”
“No problem,” I say. “I was getting a drink.”
“Found her,” Ash says to the group as he rejoins them, and the guys all greet me warmly with shouts of “Hey!” and raised drinks.
I’ve gotten to know many of them over the last few weeks, and they’re a good bunch.
Mack, Fig, Kelsier, The Don, and Bouchard are all sitting on the couches, plus two rookies and another big guy I haven’t met before. The last has black hair, piercing blue eyes, and the most chiseled face I’ve ever seen on a man. My brain kicks in a second later, and I realize this must be Kingston, the Hydra’s elusive goalie.
“Looking hot, teach,” Mack says, his tone slightly surprised. “Glad you could join us.”
I pull the hem of the dress down again. “Thanks for having me. It’s been a while since I’ve been out to a club.”
Ash sits down, and I dare a glance back to where Drew sits with a group of friends, including some women. He’s still looking our way.
I put my wine down on the table and start to sit, but I yelp as Ashgrabs my waist and tugs me down so I’m sitting across his lap. His hand lands on my thigh near the hem of the dress, and heat spreads through my body as he pulls me against his chest.
“Whoa, Gunny, what’s up with you and the doc here?” Fig asks.
“Guys, we’ve got a Code Ex,” Ash says as he trails his fingers down my arm, making me shiver involuntarily with pleasure.
A murmur of understanding passes through the group. The music isn’t quite as loud back here, so it’s easier to hear.
“Yours or hers?” Mack asks.
“Hers,” Ash says.
“Code Ex?” I ask, although I can guess from context what it is.
“It’s a warning there’s an ex in the house,” Ash says, his face entirely too close to mine. “It puts certain protocols into action.”
“Protocols?” I say, unable to do anything but parrot back his words. Ninety-five percent of my attention is on the way Ash’s hand strokes my thigh lightly, and the other five percent is on the feel of my nipples peaking against my bra.
“Number one,” Kelsier says, “the ex is off-limits to everyone on the team. Doesn’t matter if they’re a super model, a porn star, or the God damn President of the United States. No one touches them. No one engages with them other than polite comments, and only if necessary.”
“Number two,” Fig says, “the person whose ex is here becomes the VIP for the night. We may like to razz each other, but when Code Ex is in effect, that person is immune from anything that makes them look bad. No pranks, and they need to look like the center of attention at all times.”
“And number three,” Mack says, smirking, “Operation Wingman kicks in. We do our best to make sure the person looks like the most desirable one in the whole place. For us, that means the guy gets the pick of any bunnies who are hanging around. If there are no bunnies, we see if we can get him some other romantic attention.”
“It’ll be trickier with you,” Kelsier says, considering me. “We can’t pass you around, or we may give your ex the wrong impression.”
