Huh, Keeley didn’t say she wasn’t interested. She said Brayden wasn’t allowed to flirt with her. But that was like waving a red flag at a bull. Telling Bray he couldn’t do something only pushed him harder to prove you wrong. Making a point to his dad was how he ended up in the NHL.
Watching him seduce her could easily become my favorite pastime.
My dick bucked in my jeans, and I bit back a moan. Damn. Watching them together would be… fuck. I loved the way her eyes flashed, and then she narrowed them at him. Bray responded to a firm hand the way butter melted under heat. But it needed to be the right kind.
When he felt safe and unjudged, he became pliable. He would move heaven and earth to do your bidding. He was feisty and cocky, but it was as much of a defense mechanism—a shield—as a personality trait. He trusted me and let down his guard, showing me a vulnerable side of him I doubted anyone else knew existed. Once he trusted her, this gorgeous woman would turn him into putty if she spoke to him in that strong, no-nonsense tone. Add in her curves, and Keeley could be Brayden’s kryptonite.
Mine too.
I couldn’t stop staring at her.
Brayden was his usual persistent self. He squatted and shot a charming smile to the little girl putting big puzzle pieces of farm animals in their slots. “And, y’all, who is this adorable little one?”
“This is Hannah,” Keeley replied, her gaze focused again on the toddler before her. Her smile was warm and her eyes filled with love for the little girl.
“Dog,” Hannah said and smooshed the border collie puzzle piece against Brayden’s face.
“It is,” he replied. “What’s this one?” He picked up the sheep, and Hannah’s face transformed, her smile growing until she looked giddy.
She discarded the dog and did grabby hands for the piece, getting so excited that she was bouncing on her little feet. “Sheep!”
He grinned and handed her the piece. Hannah held it to her chest like she was hugging it. “Well done! What about this one?” He picked up the Texas Longhorn and showed it to her.
“No, sheep.” She shook her head and lifted her chin, dismissing Bray’s line of questions.
I snorted out a laugh and nudged him with my booted foot. “Aw, Texas, not everyone can share your obsession with Longhorns.”
He ran his heated gaze up my body, stopping at my bulge. “But Longhorns are so… girthy and long—”
“And now we all need a cold glass of water,” the lady with vibrant red curls quipped.
I locked eyes with Keeley and hummed. “Tall glass of water indeed.”
“Come on, we’ll reintroduce you to the rest of the team,” Minns said. I could feel his eyes bouncing between Keeley, Brayden, and me.
I’d come here intending to melt into the background. But I was hooked. I wanted to be near her, to get to know her. I wanted to listen to her speak and watch Bray’s reaction. I wanted to palm his cock and stroke him until he came all over my hand. On her. It wouldn’t take much. I knew, without a doubt, he’d be as hard as stone.
My decision was made. I wanted Keeley. I wanted Brayden to have her too.
Bray clasped my hand, his calloused palm strong in mine. A tremble ran through him as his body reacted to Keeley, and I had to tug him away when Minns gestured for us to go first. His disappointed exhale was enough to reassure me I wasn’t alone in this infatuation.
There’d be time tonight to get to know her. I’d make sure of it.
six
Keeley
Good God, they were both gorgeous. It was unfair for two people to be so blessedly beautiful. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from them as Minns ushered Miller and his husband away. They’d done the rounds, Minns introducing them to all the partners and girlfriends. A crowd gathered around them—apparently the entire guest list had no chill—and I watched as their party dropped down a person. For a superstar who constantly had eyes on him, Spencer was good at disappearing. Miller seemed to lap it up, holding the crowd’s attention, while Spencer stood alone in a darkened part of the backyard.
“Cleo, do you mind watching Hannah for a minute?” I asked, smoothing a corner of the blanket she was fast asleep under. “I need a drink.”
“Of course not. Go for it.” She waved me off, and I eased myself up off the picnic rug and headed over to the coolers filled with cans and bottles. I snagged a couple of sodas and headed over to Spencer.
“I thought you could use this,” I said and handed him the can. “I wasn’t sure what you drank, but I figured soda was safe.”
“You didn’t need to get me anything, but ta.” He cracked it open and took a long swallow before fiddling with the tab. “Appreciate it.”
“I don’t want to crowd you if you needed some time away from everyone. These events don’t usually turn into packs of rabid fans, but apparently, they do when you two are here.” I frowned and couldn’t help but wonder how often he was the center of a crowd he didn’t want to be in. I hated that he might be afraid of what could happen. I gestured to our small group. “We’re pretty laid-back. You’re welcome to join us if you’d like—”
