“Missed you,” I murmur, pressing my nose into the curve of her neck. The sweet, familiar scent of her coconut shampoo fills my senses. Fuck she smells good.
“I missed you, too,” she whispers back, her breath warm against my skin. I hold her there for a moment longer, just breathing her in. The noise of the others talking dulls to a background hum, and I find myself just wanting to stay in the moment.
When I finally set Cecilia back on her feet, I lean forward and capture her mouth in a kiss. I mean for it to be quick, just a taste, but the second her lips meet mine, I’m gone. Her lips are soft. Her mouth so inviting. She tastes like cherry cola—sweet and fizzy, and before I can stop myself, I deepen the kiss, pulling her closer.
It’s not enough. It never is. This desire between us bordering on desperation. I really wish we weren’t about to have a house full of people right now.
A throat clears, and I pull back, blinking away the haze of Cecilia’s lips. I glance up to find Adriana standing nearby, Kenji right next to her. Adriana raises an eyebrow, amusement stamped across her features while Kenji offers a small wave.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Adriana says, though it’s obvious she isn’t. There’s a hint of something guarded in her smirk but if I had to guess, it has nothing to do with our impromptu PDA and everything to do with the read she has on Julio’s mood.
Kenji, on the other hand, looks relaxed. His hands are shoved into his pockets as he watches us with a smile on his face. The guy doesn’t look like he has a care in the world. I almost envy him.
I force myself to release my girl, nodding to Kenji. “Hey, man.”
Cecilia steps out of my arms, her delicate fingers slipping into mine, and I turn my attention to the real problem—Julio. He’s across the room, his jaw tight, nostrils flaring as he watches Kenji like he’s some kind of intruder. The tension is rolling off him in waves, heavy and hot.
I already know today is going to be a long day.
“Have you met everyone yet?” I ask.
“He hasn’t,” Adriana answers for him. “Some people have been too busy brooding to introduce themselves.”
I wince. Did she really just call J out like that? Adriana isn’t dumb—she knows exactly what she’s doing. But provoking Julio? Not the best idea.
“Julio, this is Kenji,” I say, keeping my tone casual, like introducing these two isn’t a recipe for disaster. “Kenji, this is Julio.”
Julio’s jaw clenches tighter, the muscle ticking in his cheek. His dark eyes narrow, but he grunts in acknowledgment. “Sup.” The word is clipped, cold. He’s not even trying to be friendly, not even a little.
Kenji, to his credit, doesn’t seem fazed. “Nice to meet you,” he says, sticking out his hand. “You’re the Captain, right?” Julio takes a beat too long to respond, but finally, he shakes Kenji’s hand—a little too firm, too aggressive. Typical.
“Yup,” Julio mutters, his expression unreadable. At least he bothered to respond.
Kenji’s smile doesn’t falter. “Sick, man. I’ve heard a lot about you.” The admiration in his voice seems genuine, but Julio’s expression doesn’t budge.
Before Julio can make shit any more uncomfortable, Felix bounds over, throwing an arm around my shoulders. “You gonna introduce me too?” he asks. Felix never fails to lighten the mood, even when shit’s about to hit the fan.
“Kenji, Felix,” I say, grateful for the interruption. “Felix, Kenji. There. You’ve been introduced.”
Felix grins wide, his gold chain catching the light. “Ah, you’re the hockey guy, right?” At Kenji’s nod he adds, “Don’t worry. We won’t hold that against you. For today at least.”
Kenji laughs, shaking Felix’s hand. “Thanks, man. Appreciate it.”
We make quick introductions to the rest of the guys, Atticus and Deacon trailing down from upstairs to join the group. Thetension in Julio’s posture is impossible to ignore, but I do my best, focusing instead on keeping things moving.
“Felix and I grabbed the meat,” I say, pointing to the bags I’d unceremoniously dropped earlier. “J, why don’t you get the grill going?”
Julio’s eyes flick toward the bags, then back to me. For a second I think he might push back, but then he jerks his chin in a nod, turning toward the kitchen to get things prepared. At least cooking will give him something to focus on other than glaring daggers at Adriana’s date all day.
The doorbell rings, saving us from any more awkwardness, and my teammates start pouring in.
The tension eases as the house fills, the smell of grilling meat wafting in from the backyard. I grab a beer, crack it open, and take a long pull. Things are settling down.Good.
“You good?” Cecilia asks.
I nod and press a kiss to her temple. “I’m perfect,” I tell her. “You’re here.”
She smiles up at me, and I resist the urge to kiss her, barely. When the doorbell rings again. Layton—a junior who plays center back—opens the door and Adam and Asher walk in.
