Ry’s eyes shift to mine, and I shrug. “Surprise.”
Gideon is greeted the same way I was. With happy hugs and handshakes, and plenty of reminiscing.
My eyes find Ryker again. He’s not in a suit tonight. He’s in dark jeans and a blue button-down with the sleeves rolled halfway to his elbows, showing off the tattoos on that arm. The collar is unbuttoned, and when he swallows his beer, his throat works, making me squeeze my thighs together.
Literally everything the man does is a turn-on.
There are puck bunnies running around here. They flit around the room. Some are already attached to the single players, flirting outrageously.
There’s been one that hovers around Ry, watching him,wanting him.
I’m not jealous of her, because he only has eyes for me, but I keep my eye on her.
“How you doin’, baby?” Ryker asks as he slips his arm around my waist and leans down to kiss my temple.
“I’m great.” I smile up at him and sip my own soda. As long as I have my kid with me, I won’t drink alcohol. “It’s good to see everyone.”
He nods but suddenly looks so serious.
“What’s wrong?”
“You got Gid here.”
“I’m kind of surprised you didn’t invite him yourself. He’s your brother, Ry. He’s been around for as much of this as I have.”
“He’s been working a lot.”
I snort. “Whatever. He’s happy to be here. Oh, look, a puck bunny has taken a liking to him. Shocker.”
We glance over to see Gideon listening to something a woman is whispering in his ear. He doesn’t smile. Gideon doesn’t give his smiles away easily, unlike Ry, who smirks at the drop of a hat.
But he does widen his eyes just a smidge, and that makes me giggle.
“Wonder what she said.”
“We probably don’t want to know,” Ryker replies.
“That one over there has her eye on you,” I say, gesturing to the brunette with my chin.
Ry doesn’t even look her way. With his eyes on mine, he leans into me. “Who the fuck cares, baby?”
“Not me. Just wondering if she’s a problem.”
“If she’s bothering you, I’ll have her escorted out. This party isn’t for her.”
Gripping his shirt in my fist, I pull him down so I can kiss him, and he sinks right into me, not giving two fucks who sees. His hands plunge into my hair, and he devours my mouth, right here in the middle of his party.
“Staking your claim?” he asks against my lips when he comes up for air.
“Just kissing my man.”
His eyes darken, and he’s about to say something, but we’re interrupted.
“Cap! Come tell these assholes that I’m right. We totally beat Denver at home three years ago, when ...”
Ryker lifts an eyebrow, silently asking me if it’s okay if he leaves me here, and I nod.
“Go.”
