Page 52 of Fated Shot

With flushed cheeks and wide eyes gazing up at me, she whispers quietly, “I like your suit,” looking me up and down before resting her hands on my forearms.

She likes what she sees, and I’ll be damned if that doesn’t make something swell in my chest. She likesme. She licks her lips as she continues taking me in and I’m stuck, forced to watch in agony. Every little movement makes somethingelseswell in my pants.

I can’t resist leaning in, gently touching her lips to mine. A soft whimper slips out as I tug her closer to me, but after a few moments, I break us apart, releasing her from my grip. There’s a time and place, and despite being desperate for her, I know this isn’t it. I’m a big boy, I can wait, even if railing her into the bathroom counter is tempting as hell.

“Just wanted to say hi,” I say.

Her lidded eyes look up at me, as she leans forward, soft, plump lips touching mine again before she adds, “Hi.”

It’s excruciating how stunning she is, and I almost forget the whole reason I came in here after her.Almost.

Defeated and a little embarrassed, I let out, “They all want you,” dropping my forehead to rest against hers. She looks genuinely confused. “You’re too fucking gorgeous.”

Her cheeks blaze again, this time making it all the way to her ears, as she drops her head, staring down at the floor.

“I seriously doubt that,” she sighs, wrapping her arms around her stomach.

“I’m serious. If you walk by our table again, Coach is gonna lose half his team to a rogue defenseman who went on a punching spree.”

I lift her chin back up with one finger so she’s facing me. She just smiles, something brewing in her eyes as I lean close enough to feel the heat radiating off her body.

“Now get outta here, troublemaker,” I whisper in her ear before planting one more innocent kiss on her pouty, pink lips. Stepping back, I guide her toward the door, and just like that, she steps out, leaving me alone in the bathroom.

I spend the next five minutes trying to readjust myself and fruitlessly splashing cold water on my face and neck to calm down. No doubt a result of the Mia-effect.

By the time we finish our meal, we spot Doug and Bev Cameron walking out of the dining area, both giving us a polite wave as they head out the door of the exit. Surprisingly, Mia is not in tow.Did she leave when I wasn’t looking?I’m tempted to shoot her a quick text, but before I get the chance to, I spot her approaching. Instead of following the same path as her parents, she’s headed straight for the bar.

All the boys are gawking already, clearly not phased by the fact that Doug Cameron walked by our table less than two minutes ago. Geez, these fuckers are pushing their luck tonight. Ten to one, I could probably take them. Scratch that, nine to two, I’m bringing Penn into this.

We all watch as she approaches, taking a seat beneath the hanging wide-screen TV directly in our line of sight. She carefully climbs onto the round bar stool, perfect posture accentuating her backless dress that barely covers an inch above her perky ass. In one motion, she brushes her hair over her shoulder, her fingers delicately grazing down her dress strap that I could rip in an instant, slowly glancing back at our table. Her eyes lock with mine a moment longer than they should at the risk of raising suspicion, a coy smile breaking out before she casually turns back to face the bartender.Is she serious right now?

I whip out my phone, careful to hide my screen as I type.

Me:What are you doing, Wyndham?

The conversation at our table flips between ‘Coach’s Amelia’ and the basketball game now playing on the TV.My. Amelia.When my screen lights up, I quickly read off the message.

Wyndham:Just getting a drink, you?

I can fucking see that. The bartender has placed a ridiculously pink glass in front of her. I don’t miss him checking her out or leaning over to make unnecessary conversation as she hands him money. It’s a sea of testosterone on this side of the restaurant, and all eyes are locked on Mia. I scan the room, taking note of how many guys’ eyes I have to fucking gouge out for even looking in her direction. My heart rate is through the fucking roof right now.

Me:Thought I told you to stay clear of our table.

I punch the text into my phone. Breathing out a heavy sigh, I sip the last drop of my whiskey as I pretend to focus on the game. I can see her typing something though, so instead, I just end up looking down, waiting for her reply.

Wyndham:You did, I just didn’t feel like it.

As soon as I receive the message, she turns in her chair, pretending to look around the bar. When our eyes meet, she flushes but gives me another little smirk before returning to face forward.Fuck me.Where the hell did this come from? I’m conflicted between being turned on beyond belief and ready to commit manslaughter against my best friends. Two can play at this game. I stand up from the table.

“I’m off,” I garble to the group. Penn stops mid-conversation, eyebrows quirking up at me.

“Feel like shit. Can you cover me?” He just nods before turning back to Evan. I pat his shoulder and walk straight out thedoor without looking back. I better have read this fucking situation right or it’s about to be a long night.

As soon as the night air hits me, it’s a welcome relief. I step off to the side of the door, waiting just around the corner of the building. It was suffocating being in there. I’m heated, irritated, and fucking hard but hoping my risk is about to pay off. That show back there was just for me, I know it. I wonder how long it’s going to take her to realize…

Before I even get a chance to stipulate further, she comes bounding out, taking the step beneath the door in a whirl of commotion. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I sweep her around the corner to the dimly lit side street. Bracing my hands against the wall around her face, I catch her by surprise, her wide eyes looking at me, confused for a moment.

Her heels are putting us about three inches closer to each other, but I still need to stoop down a little. She’s breathing heavily, green eyes shining below impossibly long lashes as she looks up at me. She’s bouncing between my eyes and my mouth, breathing louder than usual, as her teeth subtly sink into her bottom lip.

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