Marcus #3
He looks like a fucking trophy that’s begging to be unwrapped in that Vipers jacket and prim-and-proper slacks.
Every fiber of my being tells me to jump up in there and kidnap him. Keep him to myself somewhere no one can fucking see.
Touch him so deeply, he’ll never be able to reject me.
But he seems bored. Almost as if he didn’t notice me. Almost, because his shoulders tighten upon meeting my gaze.
Let’s see who breaks first, my prince.
My hand lands on my companion’s waist. “You’re still mad about that, Dahlia? I told you I don’t do relationships. They’re a fucking drag, and I let you go, didn’t I? But maybe I’ll try to seduce you again tonight.”
“That train has left the station.”
“I can see that. Davenport is such a boring choice, though. You could’ve gone for someone more interesting.”
“What’s your idea of interesting?”
“The prince.” I grin and raise my glass toward Preston. “On second thought, anyone but the prince.”
Dahlia follows the motion, then starts a glaring competition with Kane. The rest of the team is trying to kill me with their eyes, but all I can look at is Preston.
He’s still holding up behind that mask he’s perfected so well.
Not for long, though.
“Whoa.” I laugh. “I can feel the hostility. Oh my. They hate me that much, huh?”
“In their defense, you’re the hate-inducing type.”
“I am, right? So why isn’t he hating?”
“Who’s he?”
I leave my drink on the counter and grab Dahlia’s arm, opting to change the subject. “Let’s give them the show we’re here for.”
In a heartbeat, I pull her to the dance floor, wrap my arms around her waist, and drag her close against me as we sway to the music.
She stiffens a little. “This is only an act. Don’t get carried away.”
“Shh.” I lift her hand and press it on my chest. “I thought you wanted revenge, so show him how much he’s missing.”
She relaxes a bit and falls into the act with me. I take a glance at Preston, and his expression has changed—lips pursed, eyes narrowed, and I can almost see those dimples all the way from here.
Come on, break so prettily for me.
I clutch Dahlia by the hips, slamming her against my front, and grin as his scowl deepens.
This could be us, I tell him with my eyes. It was us two days ago in that locker room.
There’s something I’m learning about Preston. He has some territorial tendencies. Not because he cares, but probably because he doesn’t like others to play with his toys.
He’d probably rather break said toys than let someone else have them.
Seems that I should give him a shove over the edge.
Let’s see if he’ll be here in less than the seven count I gave his ass the other day.
My lips curve as I whisper, “One.”
“What are you counting?” Dahlia asks.
I spin her, then pull her toward me and clutch her cheek. “Two.”
“What are you doing?”
“Three.” I lean down.
Dahlia steps back, and whisper-yells, “Don’t kiss me.”
“Four.”
“Marcus!”
“Five—”
My word is cut off when an arm hooks around my throat from behind, and I’m yanked back against a hard, familiar chest.
I can’t resist the smile that breaks on my mouth as his raw masculine scent with a hint of the deep ocean fills my nose.
See? I knew it would be under seven.
My arm is twisted in the air by Kane, who looks like he’ll murder me.
And the whole thing just makes me laugh.
They’re both predictable.
“My oh my. I’m honored by the warm welcome.”
Kane twists my arm harder, and I groan.
“Don’t,” Dahlia says. “Let him go.”
“You defend him again, and I’ll break his arm,” Kane replies, still glaring at me. “Just say one more fucking word, Dahlia, and I swear he’ll never play another game in his life.”
I glance back at Preston, whose face looks murderous under the dim light. He better be murderous because he doesn’t like the idea of his “bestie” threatening my hockey career like that.
“I’m so scared. Save me?”
“You better shut the fuck up if you know what’s best for you,” Preston says in a deadpan voice.
“My heart is pounding…from absolute boredom. Hey, sweetheart.” I lick my lip, looking at Dahlia. “I think we should get out of here. You said you couldn’t wait to ride my cock.”
Preston strangles me in a chokehold as Kane twists my arm.
But I don’t give a fuck about Kane. Not when Preston is breaking for me. His wall is chipping at the edges, and he’s panicking, and there’s only one way he knows how to react.
With violence.
It’s why he’s almost strangling me to death now.
More.
I need him to break some more.
Dahlia releases a sigh. “This is such a hassle. I’m going to find someone else.”
Then she starts walking out, and Kane releases me and follows her, leaving me alone with my favorite homicidal maniac.
We’re not all alone, considering all the people and chaos surrounding us, but we might as well be.
As my gaze flits back to his, I strain, “I know you miss me, but I prefer a kiss over choking.”
His eyes glitter in a dark, enchanting green. “Do you want to die? Actually, don’t answer that. You look like you do, and I’m happy to oblige.”
And then he drags me behind him as I laugh.
Let’s see if he can ignore me after I’m done with him tonight.