13. Sara #2
Brooks follows my line of sight and stiffens. On instinct, I scoot closer to him, and he surprises me by turning until he’s facing me and widening his thick thighs. Then he pulls my stool so I’m wedged between his legs. His heavy hand lands on mine, and he tugs my fingers into his and squeezes.
I’m not sure if his natural inclination is to protect me from Seb, or if he’s doing this for show. Knowing Brooks, he’s being protective.
The thought sends a wave of relief over me. I lean my head against his chest and sigh, letting my shoulders ease a bit lower.
Still holding tight to my hand, he drapes his free arm over my shoulder and pulls me even closer, if that’s possible.
The feel of his strong chest, the sound of his steady heartbeat, and the smell of him—all man and musk from his shower gel—coax my body to soften against him further.
I’ve never been quite as comfortable as I am when I’m in his arms. His thumb scrapes softly against my shoulder as he whispers “I got you, Pumpkin”into the top of my head.
What he doesn’t understand is that I don’t need protection. What I’m doing here, and what I did at the game tonight, is all for him. But if it makes him feel better, then I’m okay with letting him believe he’s my superhero.For now, at least.
And while I’m a girl who likes to stand on her own two feet, even I can admit that it’s nice being taken care of for once.
“Thought only Bolts and Revs players could come in here,” I mutter.
I don’t know why I’m surprised that, once again, Seb is breaking the rules. The man has zero moral compass. Why would a little hockey code mean anything to him?
“And our friends and family. Vin is Seb’s family.” Brooks’s tone is dark and resigned. Obviously he doesn’t love that fact, and who could blame him? Vincent Lukov is an asshole.
When the two men stop to say hello to Gavin and Beckett, I consider pushing Brooks up so that we can disappear before we have to deal with an awkward encounter, but I swear that as the guys step farther into the room, the arm draped over me gets heavier, holding me in place.
Like Brooks wants this awkward interaction. Like he’s claiming me.
The prospect is thrilling. And to be honest, it’s fucking hot.
It’s like standing beside a bomb and watching the seconds tick down.
Anxiety plagues me as the guys turn toward the bar.
The feeling is so visceral it forces my leg to bounce while simultaneously causing my stomach to sink.
They head in our direction in what feels like slow motion.
Seb raises his head slowly as he comes closer.
It’s like we’ve been transported into one of those movies full of aliens with laser eyes.
Any second now, I expect him to start shooting us.
“Dammit, where’s Will Smith when we need him?” I mumble.
Brooks snorts, the reaction jostling me. “What are you going on about?”
With a squeeze of his hand, I will my nerves to steady. “Ya know,” I squeak out. “ Men in Black .”
Seb’s attention is fixed on me as he slides his hand into his pocket.
My brain must malfunction in that moment, because that little move has me pushing myself against Brooks and screaming “bomb!”
The bar is loud. It’s full of people, and music filters through speakers throughout the space. But it’s not that loud.
The second the word is out of my mouth, every eye is locked on me, so, naturally, that’s when the stool beneath me slips. As I’m going down, I grab for the first thing I can find.
“Oh my God, Brooks!” I gasp at the appendage I’m clinging to. “Your dick is hard!”
Why am I talking so loudly? And why am I gripping my best friend’s dick?
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” He’s looming above me, his tone frantic and his face a mask of confusion. He wiggles his thumb, tugging at my hand and garnering my attention.
Ohh. My hand is wrapped around his thumb . So not his dick, after all. With a grunt, he hauls me onto his lap. The movement sends my stool clattering to the ground.
Through the whole debacle, the rest of the man’s body doesn’t move. His damn thumb muscle lifted my entire body. What in the hell are they feeding these hockey players?
“Is that your wallet, or are you just happy to see me?” The tease escapes from one side of my mouth.
His expression is dark as he bands his arms around me and pulls me close. “You’ve lost your ever-loving mind, Sar. Fucking gone.”
Maybe he’s right, because over the course of the last two days, I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with Brooks’s dick.
Maybe if he let me take a quick peek at it, this fascination would end.
I shift on his lap and suck in a breath, ready to suggest just that, but before I can, Seb and Vin appear beside us.
Vin is wearing a grin, but Seb is scowling.
“Your girl all right?” New York’s asshole asks the question, but there isn’t a hint of concern on his face. No, it’s all pompous amusement.
When Brooks replies, his tone is eerily calm, but he doesn’t look away from me. “My girl is perfect. Right, Pumpkin?”
I nod like a bobblehead. I’m still all over the fucking place, but I figure the silent response is better than talking at this point. God only knows what would come out of my mouth if I did.
Seb snorts. “She’s certainly flexible.”
“Excuse you.” I push off Brooks, despite the way he’s clinging to me, and press into Seb’s space, head held high and shoulders back. “Who do you think you are?”
Seb’s bored expression only irritates me more. “I was only commenting on how gracefully you landed that fall.”
Vin turns to the bar to order his drink, but Seb keeps his smarmy smile fixed on me.
“And you’re good at bouncing from one man to the next.”
I raise my hand, ready to slap the smirk off my ex’s face, but before I can, Brooks is beside me, looming over his uncle, his fist prepared to do the heavy lifting.
Suddenly, Tyler is here too, with one hand on Brooks’s arm, he stops things from escalating. “Whoa, buddy. Let’s go for a walk.”
I suck in a breath as I watch Tyler drag Brooks out the door. Then my lungs seize as I realize we’re in public. My eyes scan every inch of the bar. Fortunately, not a soul is looking in our direction. It appears that no one but Tyler saw what happened.
I let out a long breath then, only to hold it again when I realize I’m still standing next to the jerk who’s still acting all smug, like Brooks is the one in the wrong.
I’d love to smack that cockiness right off him, but I quickly remember that the best revenge is happiness. Mine and Brooks.
With my chin held high once more, I snatch my purse from the bar and shoot him a glare. “You’re not worth it, but I sure as hell found someone who is.” Then I stomp off with my dignity in tow.