But so out of reach.
“Mm, maybe I need a reminder.” Lia’s eyes flickered to hers, her pupils already dilated. “Maybe later tonight I could show you exactly what I thought of that winning goal?”
“You liked it, did you?”
“Me and the twenty thousand Albion fans in the stadium.” Lia shook her head. “You were incredible out there today.”
“Careful. You don’t want to inflate my already over-inflated ego.”
Laughing, Lia leaned away, putting some much-needed distance between them. “True. We wouldn’t want your head to explode.”
“No, that would be unfortunate for you.”
Lia’s mouth opened, no doubt ready to say something teasing, when a shadow fell over them.
Adrianna stood there, hands settling on her hips. “What are you two whispering about?”
“Just talking about the game.” The lie came easily to Erin’s lips, and she leaned further away from Lia, resting her back against the wall.
“Boring.” Adrianna’s gaze flickered to Lia. “We’re going out tonight when we get back to Manchester. Come with us?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m tired.” Unlike Erin, Lia’s lies weren’t as convincing.
“Come on! It’s your first trophy with us!” Adrianna reached for Lia’s hands, stroking a thumb over the back of her knuckles.
The bruise from the imprint of Lia’s teeth had faded, but it still rankled Erin when Adrianna’s thumb came to rest in the same spot.
“There’ll be more trophies.”
“But not first ones. Besides, when we went out for coffee last week you promised me a night out.” Adrianna batted her eyelashes, then tugged Lia to her feet, shifting her hands to Lia’s hips.
The touch was too familiar, the look in her eyes too wanting, and Erin had to fight not to react. She had no claim on Lia—no right to dictate who she spent time with. Who Lia let touch her.
And they’d been out for coffee? Alone together? Was it a date, or just a catch-up between teammates? Though the look on Adrianna’s face as she glanced at Lia’s lips was not exactly friendly.
To her credit, Lia looked uneasy as she encircled Adrianna’s wrists with her hands and gently pulled her away—only for Adrianna to slide their fingers together and squeeze. “Honestly, I’m exhausted. Next time, though. I promise.”
“Fine.” With a dramatic sigh, Adrianna let Lia’s hands go. “But you have to come dance with us. As forfeit.”
Lia glanced back at Erin. “Yeah, okay. Give me a sec.”
Adrianna followed Lia’s line of sight and frowned. “You’re blowing me off for her?”
“No. I’m finishing a conversation you interrupted.” Lia’s voice was sharp enough for Adrianna’s eyes to widen. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
With a simpering sigh, Adrianna turned on her heel and flounced off to join the few players still dancing on the other side of the room.
Erin glared at Adrianna’s back, a muscle in her jaw twitching and hot fury running through her veins.
“Haven’t seen a frown like that in a while.” Lia looked far too pleased with herself as she sat back at Erin’s side. “You used to direct those at me.”
Erin was supposed to say something flippant—maybe mean. But what came out instead was: “She wants to fuck you.”
Lia blinked, mouth opening and closing a few times before she spoke. When she did, the words were careful. “I know. She’s made that abundantly clear since I got here. Are you jealous?”
“No.” The word was little more than a snarl. “Why would I be jealous of her?” Jealous of someone who had never gotten the privilege of knowing Lia as intimately as Erin had over the last few weeks? What did she have to be jealous about?
Except Adrianna could touch Lia freely, so thoughtlessly. So carelessly. Like it meant nothing, like it was simple. Easy.
