"Your sister is a badass," I say.
"Yeah? Why don't you turn around and let me see your bad ass," he says, sauntering toward me with an unholy glint in his eyes. "I think I need to see my handprints all over it."
Why does that sound like a good time to me?
"You are not spanking me."
"You going to get on that plane willingly today, baby?"
"Maybe. Maybe not."
"Wrong answer." He pounces, tackling me back onto my pillows. Before I can even process how it happened, I'm on my stomach with his hand on my ass.
"Austin, you Neanderthal!" I shout. Does insulting him stop me from arching back for another smack? Absolutely not? Do I plan to stop insulting him? Also no.
"Jesus," I mutter four hours later, glancing around the team's private plane with one brow arched. It's fancy as hell, all sleek white leather and cushy chairs with enough space to put a commercial flight to shame.
Technically, I'm not supposed to fly with the team, but given the situation, Austin got approval from management. They all figured it was better to have me on the planewith the team than to risk yet another media firestorm if I showed up at the airport, headed to Chicago.
"You like it?" he asks, grinning at me.
"Are you kidding? If this is how the other half lives, maybe I should play a professional sport."
"Yeah?" Austin dips his head, smirking down at me. "I don't think verbal ass-kicking counts as a professional sport, princess."
"It might." I shrug one shoulder. "You never know."
He chuckles, sliding one hand around my hip to guide me to a group of seats near the back.
The two across from ours are already taken by some of his teammates. I recognize Dace Helliker immediately. It's almost impossible to forget the man who caught me dick-handed at the party, especially when he's grinning at me the same damn way he did that night. He's gorgeous in a pirate kind of way.
The guy beside him is equally as beautiful, but only vaguely familiar. I should know him, but I can't think of his name.
They're both monsters of men, the kind of guys who look like they could bench a car and not even break a sweat. Honestly, everyone on the damn plane has been eating their Wheaties. They probably all love protein shakes and preworkout like Austin, too.Yuck.
"Dace, Killian, this is my girl, Serena. Serena, this is Dace and Killian," Austin murmurs, introducing us.
"Hey," I say, smiling nervously.
The guys nod, sizing me up. Dace's gaze is all spark and mischief. Killian's is more reserved, but not unfriendly.
"Serena," Dace says, extending a tattooed hand for a handshake. "Heard a lot about you."
"Yeah?" I take his hand, prepared for the worst. "If you read it online, only half of it is true," I smirk at him, more nervous than I'd like to admit. "I don't usually show my whole ass to the world, but I do enjoy making him look like he peed his pants with ridiculously expensive wine."
Dace cracks up, tossing a grin at Austin. "She's funny. I like her."
"I'm full of surprises," I say, which makes Killian snort into his water.
Austin's hand slides to my thigh, his grip possessive. His eyes lock on Dace's, his expression hard. "Don't make me hurt you," he says, his voice a warning growl I like a little too much.
Who knew jealous Austin could be so hot?
"Well, you're no fun," Dace mutters, still grinning.
"He's absolutely not any fun," I agree. "I've been trying to pry the stick out of his ass since we met. So far, no dice."
Austin growls at me, his eyes shining with amusement. "Keep talking, and I'll show you my stick, princess."
