Page 78 of Playing Games

“I don’t care.” I look at Finn. “I need to know who he is.”

“He works at the Hodge Clinic, dude,” Finn finally explains. “He came because he’s been working a lot with Scottie. Just wanted to give her his support.”

I nod.Okay, okay.That’s not as bad as I thought. Though, I still don’t like the way he’s smiling at Lexi and watching her with fucking awe in his eyes as she talks.

Say hello and move on, fucker.

Finn’s hearty laugh fills my ears. “You know you sound a lot like a jealous boyfriend right now, right? For a girl who won’t give you the time of day.”

His words ricochet inside my chest, striking me first with pain, and then following up with audacity.A girl who won’t give me the time of day? Ha.If only they knew that most nights, that beautiful, perfect, intriguing-as-fuck girl is in my arms, my mouth, and my hands.

Too bad you can’t tell them that. Can’t tellanyonethat, in fact.

I brush off the thought and choose to focus on the positive—behind closed doors, Lexi Winslowismy girl. Every part of her.

Both Ace and Finn are looking at me curiously, and I just lift one nonchalant shoulder. “We must not allow other people’s limited perceptions to define us, Finnley,” I comment through a secret but knowing smile. “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”

“The fuck did you just say?” Ace asks, and Finn cracks up.

I shake my head. “Never mind. I’m going in.”

“You’re going in? What does that mean?” Ace tosses back, but it’s too late. I’m already on the move, striding across the restaurant and heading straight for Lexi.

I may have intimate knowledge of all the ways Lexi Winslow is already mine, and I may be secure in that—but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that fucker have ten more minutes of unfettered access to the brilliant recesses of her mind. I want to hear her theories and musings and data for myself.

“You’re incredibly intelligent,” the douchebag says to her, Lexi-inspired stars in his stupid eyes, as I approach. He’s in deep—the admiration for her genius sinking in one nugget of information at a time—and it won’t be long before he’s groveling for more. I know, because that’s exactly what happens to me anytime I’m around her.

“Lexi Winslow is the smartest girl you’ll ever meet in your life,” I correct as I join their conversation uninvited, startling both Lexi’s attention and beautiful blue eyes. I purposely but calmly position myself between her and the physical therapist as I smile down at her. “Hi, Lex.”

I don’t wrap an arm around the small of her back, and I don’t place a kiss to the soft skin behind her ear—I know she wouldn’t approve. But my presence is commanding, my intention clear. Just like on the field, I’m unrattled and in control, even if I can’t run the plays I want.

“Hi…” She tilts her head to the side, and her eyebrows crease in the center as a warning. I smile, knowing confidence is the best and only approach in situations like these.

“Who’s your new friend?” I ask, and she blinks a few times, searching my steady gaze for insecurities I won’t bare.

“Blake, this is Adam Houth,” Lex introduces us. “He’s one of Scottie’s physical therapists at the Hodge Clinic.”

I nod and glance briefly at Adam to offer a half smile, holding out a strong hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Blake Boden.”Lexi’s fucking boyfriend.I clear my throat. “Glad to have you here to celebrate Scottie.”

“Nice to meet you too, man,” Adam replies, but I’m already looking back at Lexi, ignoring him completely.

“You need anything, Lex?” I ask, playing the role of boyfriend in all ways but the physical. “Something to drink?”

“No…thanks. I’m good, Blake.”

“Okay,” I say with a flash of a smile and a coy wink that makes a blush steal across her high cheeks. “Let me know if that changes.”

She glances between me and Adam with a flutter of lashes, but in almost no time at all, she’s once again staring at me. Her chest rises and falls quickly, and her tongue peeks out to wet her now-dry lips. She’s craving me, just as I’m craving her, and it’s all she can do to hold back the will of her body as she fights it.

It’s all I need to see to feel confident in leaving her here to talk to Adam—in leaving her to talk to any stupid, awestruck fucker at this party. I spin on my heel and head back to where Finn and Ace stand, renewed and at ease.

The idea of some other schmuck flirting with her, going out with her,touchingher, is skin-itching. But from what Lexi just showed me, I don’t have anything to worry about. She wants mejust as much as I want her—even if she isn’t ready to publicly admit it.

“So…?” Ace urges. I shrug and slide my hands into my jeans pockets, a teasing smile lifting just one corner of my mouth.

One good thing about keeping this secret from my friends is that it makes them fucking with me over my rejection much more tolerable.

“I obviously asked her to share our love with the world, and she very graciously said no.”

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