“But never a close relationship. Not like Nate and Amber, or Rowan and Dee. Or, fuck, even Nicky and Kitty. He’s completely lovestruck.”
“It’s meant to be fun, you know. Dating. The excitement and the anticipation of seeing that person. Being consumed by them and agonising for them to touch you.”
His finger carried on sketching on my skin.
“Let’s both just enjoy a date and not overthink it.” I tipped my head back and tried to look at him, his face at the side of mine.
Footsteps thudded outside.
“It’s Nate.” I didn’t move away. I didn’t shift from Jesse’s arms.
I felt him stiffen behind me, so I leaned back all the more.
“I’m nearly thirty, Jesse. He isn’t my keeper and he’s your friend. Hiding it would make it worse.”
He didn’t say anything. I prayed that Nate would have his sensible head on, like he did most of the time.
“We were going to get take — oh, hello.” Nate froze in the doorway. “Thank fuck you’ve got clothes on. I see enough of Jesse’s arse in the showers.”
I started to laugh, soundless shakes of my shoulders, Jesse’s arms not holding me quite as tight as they had been. “Do you make a point of looking at Jesse’s arse?”
Nate raised his brows. “He has a nice arse. We once had a vote as to whose was the best — Jesse’s, Jude’s or Matty’s. Jesse won, actually.”
“Please tell me you’ve never told anyone that story.”
Finally, he spoke.
“Only Amber. And probably Neva. Dee might’ve been there too, and a couple of the other women from the team.” Nate shrugged. “Takeout. Do you want to eat with us? It isn’t Neva approved. Amber’s getting hungry, so I need a quick decision.”
“I’m still thinking about the arse competition.” I gripped Jesse’s thigh. “Did you all line up while everyone judged?”
“Can we not talk about it? It was after we beat United, and there were shots involved.” Jesse’s hand lay on my stomach.
It was a possessive gesture, although I doubted he realised that. It was also a gesture that was doing things to my insides, which I also doubted he realised.
Nate chuckled. “Final answers. I think we’re having Chinese.”
“I’m in.” I could always eat Chinese.
“I’ll join you, if it’s okay.” Jesse’s words were quiet. They weren’t about the Chinese.
My brother nodded. “It’s okay. Just don’t spill anything. Amber gets cranky if someone makes a mess.”
“I’ll try not to.”
The kiss to my hair surprised me.
My brother just blinked. “Good. We both know we weren’t actually talking about spilling food then, don’t we?”
Jesse laughed. “We did. Make sure you order crispy chilli beef.”
“Sorted. See you very soon. That pink sofa doesn’t need to see any X-rated action.” He whipped around and left.
Jesse exhaled, finally relaxing. “I thought he’d hit me.”
“No. He’s too scared of me to do that.”
“Scared of you?”
