Page 2 of Playing By His Rules

His co-workers laughed because they all knew how possessive Declan was when it came to Summer. Rick appreciated that there was no awkwardness or hesitation when it came to talking about Summer and Declan as a couple when everyone knew about the once love triangle between the three of them. The best thing about this group of men were their friendship and acceptance, and it would be far more difficult if they tip-toed around the topic.

“I still win,” Jase interjected as his gaze shifted over to his wife, a pretty blonde who was still chatting with the group of other women who’d now made their way to the bar to order their own beverages. “I got Kendall pregnantbeforewe got married.”

Dean laughed. “Well, Jillian and I beatallof you. Our two boys are grown and out of the house, while you all have those fun adolescent years to look forward to.” He feigned a shudder. “Good luck with that.”

Sawyer shook his dark head, looking slightly worried. “God, those teenage years can’t be as bad as the terrible twos,” he said of his own toddler.

“Ten times worse, actually.” Dean let loose a wicked chuckle, then tossed back the last of his scotch. “Trust me, you will witness rebellion, mood swings, and know it all attitudes at its finest.”

Mac lifted his glass to the dads in the group, which included everyone but himself and Rick. “A toast to all of you for contributing to the human race.”

“I think I need another drink,” Sawyer muttered.

Everyone laughed, and within seconds the other man was back with the rest of the bottle of Macallan, generously refilling everyone’s glasses.

The wives finally sauntered over and paired off with their husbands. Stephanie, Mac’s significant other, came up beside her man and looped her arm through his.

She glanced up at him curiously. “What’s going on over here and what are you all toasting to?”

Mac smirked. “To all these virile men populating the planet. Except for Rick and I, who are apparently the only sane ones in the group.”

“Yeah, not happening here,” Stephanie agreed, making a snip-snip motion with her fingers to indicate her husband’s vasectomy. The two of them were perfectly happy spoiling everyone else’s kids and not having any of their own.

A short while later, Declan and Summer finally joined them, and the buffet of food opened for dinner, then the wedding cake was cut for dessert. The DJ played music, alternating from upbeat songs that had the women out on the makeshift wooden floor dancing together, and slow ballads that all the husbands felt obliged to indulge their wives.

Everyone in Rick’s circle of friends were paired off, making him all too aware that he was now the odd man out. Standing off to the side by himself as he watched everyone share an intimate moment with their significant other, he took a drink of his scotch, just as Stephanie appeared beside him.

He glanced at her in surprise. “How come you’re not out there dancing with Mac?”

“Dancing in public places rates right up there with a prostrate exam for him, and he conveniently had to take a business call.” Mirth glimmered in her eyes. “Which is fine because I’m an understanding wife, but he’ll be making it up to me later for ditching me. Besides, it’s always fun to make a man grovel and beg for his infractions, no matter how small they might be.”

Rick arched a brow. “Somehow I find it difficult to imagine a man like Mac groveling for anything.”

His boss was direct, demanding, and didn’t take orders from anyone . . . and Rick was certain that assertive personality extended to his play time with his wife. The men at Noble and Associates all had alpha tendencies, and he’d spent enough time at The Players Club to know just how dominant Mac could be. If anyone would be on their knees in the next few hours, it was going to be Stephanie.

“Well, it’s fun to make him try, at least,” Stephanie joked, conceding Rick’s point. “His apologies might not be verbal, but he always makes amends in other more creative ways.”

“Hmm.” Rick weighed the options from a male perspective. “Pretending to enjoy an awkward slow dance at a wedding or a hot, apologetic fuck? You have to know the choice is a no brainer for any man.”

“Exactly.” She gave him a wicked grin. “Either way, we’ll both end up very satisfied tonight.”

To anyone else listening to their conversation, their banter would probably have seemed shocking and inappropriate. But considering they all belonged to the same sex club, which Mac owned, all manner of fucking was pretty much an open topic between all of them. There wasn’t a subject that was taboo, unless there were little ears around to listen in, which wasn’t the case this evening.

Stephanie shifted beside him, as if preparing to ease into another forbidden topic, and even before she spoke, Rick knew what was going to come out of her mouth.

“So . . . how are you holding up?” she asked, concern in her tone.

Her words and gaze were sincere, but the last thing Rick wanted was for anyone to feel sorry for him because Declan ended up with Summer. “I’m perfectly fine, Steph,” he replied, his tone firm and truthful.

She sighed. “I was just checking. You can’t blame me for that.”

He knew she meant well. “Do Ilooklike I’m going to unravel and fall apart because my stepbrother got the girl he deserves?”

“No, not externally.” Her full pink lips pursed, and her gaze narrowed on his face. “But you’re a stubborn man just like the rest of them, and you all tend to stuff your feelings down into some deep, dark abyss inside you.”

“There is no deep, dark abyss inside of me,” he said with a laugh. “I’m aresilientman, and the only feelings I have right now is being ridiculously, insanely happy for the bride and groom.”

She laughed softly. “Okay, now you’re pouring it on a bit thick . . . but I do believe you.”

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