Page 25 of Force Play

“Just figured hauling that ego around is a lot of work and you might need another one so you don’t wear yourself out.” The annoyance in her voice can’t hide the gleam in her eyes at the insult.

“You already know stamina isn’t an issue for me,” I tell her, handing the extra bottle back. “But you might want it. You’re looking a little flushed, just like you did when you came on my fingers.” My smile grows as I add, “And my tongue and cock.”

“You can’t talk to me like that anymore. I’m seeing someone.”

Swiveling my head, looking around the space. “That’s funny, I don’t see her.”

“Just because she’s not here doesn’t mean anything.” The playfulness gives way to a defensiveness that doesn’t sit right with me.

“Are you trying to make me jealous, because it’s working.”

The confident mask she wears falters, and I see uncertainty flash in her dark eyes. “No. Why would I do that?”

“Maybe the same reason she was trying to make me jealous in Chicago.” Indie brings the bottle I gave her to her lips, taking a long drink. “You told her about me, didn’t you?”

The way she stomps off without another word is all the answer I need. If what we had meant nothing there would be no reason to share it.

Grabbing the waters from the counter I hand them out to the guys and then go back to the bookcase.

“Will you stop it?” Dean asks a few minutes later.

“What?” I know damn well what he’s talking about, but it’s more fun to push his buttons. Even if he’s not as grumpy as he was before falling for Mia, his tolerance for nonsense is still low.

“You’ve been humming ‘Happy’ like you’re yellow and wear bibs since you came back with water. What the hell do you have to be so pleased about?”

“Dude. I would pay money to see you curled up on the couch watching those little yellow fuckers causing mayhem. You’re a changed man, you know that.”

“Screw off. She lets me touch her boobs on movie night. Every damn time. I’ll watch whatever she picks, and you would too.” He glances over his shoulder. Whether he’s checking to make sure his girlfriend doesn’t hear or Hendrix, I’m not sure.

Screwdriver in hand, I pretend it’s a whip, sound effect and all.

“Really looked like things were going so well for you with your future wife,” he mocks.

“She wants me. Fighting turns her on,” I tell him with a wink.

“Seems like it. Is that why she stomped away and you’re out here putting her bookshelf together?”

He takes the pencil from behind his ear and raises it, but before he can flick his wrist, I slap it out of his hand.

“Do I even want to know?” a silky voice asks from behind us making Dean chuckle darkly.

The look I shoot him shuts him up. But it’s not me he’s afraid of. Dean knows just as well as I do not to mess with Indie.

“Mia sent me over here. Said you had something I’d want?” Her eyes flick to me and the corner of her lip twitches before she refocuses on my soon-to-be dead teammate.

“Did she, now?” he asks.

“Basically,” Indie says, pulling her phone out of her pocket and unlocking it before handing it to him.

Without an explanation, he types something out on her phone before handing it back. “I told her you would be in touch. She’ll be thrilled to hear from you; I think you’re just what she needs.”

“Fantastic! I’m excited to meet her,” she says fucking beaming when she spins on her heels and walks away.

Blood rushes to the tips of my ears making them hot. “What the hell was that?”

“Not sure what you mean,” he says in the flattest voice I’ve ever heard.

“One. She made it pretty clear to me she already has a girlfriend. Two. Why would you do me dirty like that?”

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