Page 38 of Boarded Hearts

My feet are carrying me over there before Kate can finish her sentence.

FELICITY

“No, I’m fine, thank you,” I tell the tall blond guy next to me. He’s offered me a drink at least three times since I’ve been standing here waiting.

“Did you go to the game today?” Blond Guy persists.

“Yeah, I did. Intense game,” I reply, trying to sound friendly but uninterested. In my thirty-nine years, it’s a skill I’ve yet to master.

All I want is to get my Cosmo and head back to the booth to wait for Jon. It’s been at least ten minutes since he called, so he can’t be far away now.

“You here on your own?” Another question from my new friend.

I peer up at him, braving potential eye contact. He’s a good-looking guy, maybe a couple of years older than me. He catches my gaze and moves closer behind me, his front pressed up against my back. At a similar height to Jon, this guy towers over me, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little intimidated. “No, I have my friends here with me.”

The girl in front of me finishes getting served, and I thankfully have space to move forward, but that means nothing to this guy, as he simply steps forward maintaining the distance between us, which is nothing, nada.

He leans over my shoulder, his nose almost nuzzled in my hair, as he sets his empty beer glass down on the bar.

“I don’t see them.” His tone is almost suggestive, and I can smell the alcohol on his breath. My stomach turns at his presence; I need to get out of here.

“They’re right here.” A deep, familiar voice cuts through my discomfort, enveloping me in a sense of safety.

It’s Jon.

When I turn to face him, he’s right behind me, the blond guy having taken several steps back. His eyes are soft but wear a sense of concern behind them like he’s silently asking if I’m okay. I nod, reassuring him I’m fine.

Blond Guy’s eyes have bugged out at the sight of Jon, clearly having a hard time processing that the captain of the Scorpions is standing right in front of him.

Jon places a firm arm around my waist, pulling me into his side. His eyes are dark and possessive, leaving no doubt who I am to him.

“She’s here with her boyfriend. Me.” Jon’s voice is hard and unwavering. Boyfriend. That singular word ignites my core, sending shock waves throughout my body.

Calm down, Felicity; he’s just playing it up to make a point to this creep.

“You okay, baby?” Jon asks me in a gentle voice.

“Yeah, I’m good. Just been waiting to get a drink for an age.” I gesture to the crowd all pushing to get to the bar.

My bag starts buzzing, and I reach in to fetch out my phone. It’s Elliott, again. I send him a template message saying I’ll call him later. He’s really stepping his contact up today, and I know I can’t keep holding him off forever.

Jon’s brow furrows when I disconnect the call. I don’t know if he saw who it was, but he doesn’t say anything. Instead, his hand travels to my lower back, and he dips his chin, hovering it above my head. “Leave the drink with me. I got it.” And with that, he lifts his hand in the air toward one of the bar staff, who immediately looks up, almost like they knew he was there all along.“Cosmo for my girl please, buddy. Over there.” Jon points to the booth I vacated what feels like hours ago.

“You got it,” the barman shouts.

I turn to look at Jon, an incredulous expression on my face. He smiles at me before leading me back to the booth, his fingers interlaced with mine. “Don’t wander off on your own in bars, Angel. There are pervy guys around,” he whispers softly in my ear as we take a seat opposite Zach, Kate, and Jensen.

“Pervy guys like you?” I playfully respond. Okay, I’m full-on flirting, but no judgment, please. I’ve got Jon freaking Morgan’s hand round my waist and his lips tickling my ear.

“These eyes are only for you, and for the record, I’m the only guy who should be checking you out.” He pauses and then continues, “I don’t know if I mentioned it, but you look beautiful tonight.”

I’m unraveling right before him. Every last shred of willpower to resist this smooth-talking man is deserting me.

“Zach, all okay, man?” Jensen breaks me from my Jon-induced trance.

Zach is staring ahead past mine and Jon’s shoulder, his eyes flaming with an emotion I can’t quite make out. He doesn’t look happy though, not at all.

“Zach?” Jon tries to get through to him, to no avail.

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