Page 51 of The Pucking Player

His grip tightens, a devilish grin spreading across his face. “Good,” he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe. “Let them. Let everyone know you’re my girl.”

A shiver runs down my spine, equal parts excitement and trepidation. “Everyone?” I ask with a smirk, finally finding my voice. “Even my dad?”

Liam chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest and straight into my core. “We’ll have to let him know eventually.”

I manage to slip out of his grasp, immediately missing his warmth. “Right,” I say, smoothing down my clothes. “But not yet.”

Liam’s eyes darken, smoldering with an intensity that makes my insides melt. For a heartbeat, I think he might pull me back into his arms. But he takes a step back, running a hand through his hair, his chest rising and falling with rapid breaths.

“You better get back to your sister and roommate,” he says, his voice a husky growl. “Wouldn’t want them to send out a search party.”

I nod, not trusting my voice. My legs feel like they’re made of jelly as I make my way back to the bar, Liam following close behind.

As we approach, I notice something’s off. There’s a guy I don’t recognize leaning against the bar, way too close to Jessica and Jenna. Even from here, I can smell the cloud of beer fumes surrounding him.

“C’mon, ladies,” he slurs, swaying slightly. “Why don’t you come sit with a real man? I’ll show you a good time.”

Jessica’s face is a mask of disdain. “No, thanks. We’re good here.”

“Don’t be like that, sweetheart,” the drunk persists, reaching for her arm.

My heart leaps into my throat, but before I can react, a large shadow looms over the scene. Finn appears like an avenging angel, materializing out of nowhere. His six-foot-three frame towers over the drunk, muscles rippling beneath his tailored suit. The air around him practically crackles with intensity.

“I believe the lady said no,” Finn growls, his voice low and dangerous, reminiscent of a lion’s warning rumble. His eyes, usually a warm hazel, have turned to chips of ice, flashing with a fury that could melt steel.

The drunk turns, trying to puff up his chest but looking more like a pufferfish next to Finn’s sculpted physique. “Hey, buddy, this ain’t your girl. Back off!”

Finn’s face darkens, his jaw clenching so hard, I swear I can hear his teeth grinding. The temperature in the room drops, as if Finn’s rage is sucking all the warmth from the air.He takes a step forward, his movements fluid and controlled.

“You’re mistaken,” he roars, the sound reverberating through the bar. Several heads turn our way, but Finn’s laser focus remains on the drunk. “Thisismy girl.”

Jessica’s head snaps to him in surprise. But Finn is undeterred. “And if you don’t walk away right now, I’ll wipe the floor with you.” Although his voice is quiet now, somehow it’s more terrifying than his shout.

Even the stupidest people have a survival instinct. The drunk’s bravado crumbles like a sandcastle in a tsunami. He stumbles back, nearly tripping over his own feet, muttering incoherent apologies as he scurries away, disappearing into the crowd like a mouse fleeing a hawk.

Finn stands there, a veritable wall of muscle. The set of his shoulders and the tension in his stance screams protector. He’s like a knight in shining armor, if knights wore designer suits and could bench press a small car.

Jessica stares at Finn, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and...lust? I don’t blame her. Finn’s always been swoony, but right now, he vibrates with panty melting power, the stuff wet dreams are made of. His gaze softens slightly as it lands on Jessica, a warmth creeping back into those hazel depths.

“Are you alright?” he asks, his voice gentle, a stark contrast to the fury from moments ago. He doesn’t touch her, but his body is angled toward her, creating a shield between Jessica and the rest of the bar.

Liam sidles up next to me. “Everything okay here?” he asks, his tone casual, but his posture alert.

Finn nods, his eyes never leaving Jessica. “Yeah, just took out the trash.”

“My hero,” Jessica says, her voice dripping with sarcasm, but I catch the hint of a smile tugging at her lips.

“You ladies should consider joining us at our table,” Liam suggests, his hand finding the small of my back.

Jenna glances at her watch. “Actually, I should head out. Early class tomorrow.”

“We’ll walk you to your car,” Jessica says quickly. She turns to Liam and Finn. “We’ll join you guys in a few, okay?”

The men exchange glances, then nod. “Don’t keep us waiting too long,” Liam says with a wink that makes my knees weak all over again.

We step out into the cool night air, the sounds of the bar fading behind us. As soon as the door swings shut, it’s like a dam breaks. We’re barely five steps into the parking lot when Jenna lets out a squeal that could shatter glass.

“Oh. My. God. Did you see that?” she gushes, practically vibrating with excitement. “Finn was like...like...a freaking superhero!”

---