Page 9 of Defensive Zone

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” I blurt out, letting those intrusive thoughts win.

He lets out a choked sound, then covers it with a small laugh. “No, but she’s eating you up with her eyes. I wouldn’t hold it against you if you wanted to go there.”

My cock would love to go there, because, let’s face it, she’s hot as hell. But my head and my heart want to just chill with him, as we haven’t got long left.

Plus, I can use my hand for a bit longer. My cock will understand.

But I don’t have time to argue the point because movement in my peripheral catches my attention, and the brunette hottie from the bar sidles up next to me.

“Hey,” she says with a smile. Holding a glass of white wine in her hand, she motions to the seat next to me. “Is this seat taken?”

Mentally shaking myself, I flash my most charming smile. “No, it’s all yours.”

She introduces herself as Raegan, and in a weird happenstance, she’s from Denver. The three of us chat about our time on the island, and life back home. Although I plan on shutting down any advances, something settles in me when she engages with Zach, showing him equal interest. She isn’t flirting with him as she is with me, but I appreciate her making an effort with him. Women I’ve dated often ignore the fact that we come as a package deal.

Because while not in the traditional sense, he’s my other half, and I would rather be single than date someone who doesn’t respect that.

“I’m going to get us some drinks,” Zach announces, scraping his chair back as he stands.

I look up at him, trying to find a glimpse of how he’s feeling on his face, but just like earlier, those blue eyes are unreadable.

My gaze follows him to the bar, noting how the other patrons watch him as he goes. He’s captivating, that’s for sure, with his six-foot-six frame and muscular physique. His dominating presence draws you in, but it’s his gentle calmness that hooks you.

Your friendship is unnatural.

Those were the words my last ex-girlfriend spat at me when we broke up, and it wasn’t the first time I heard something along those lines either.

But how can you explain to someone you’re in a relationship with that your soulmate is someone else?

“So, where in Denver do you live?”

My attention is drawn back to Raegan. She’s eyeing me curiously, like I’m a puzzle she’s trying to figure out.

You might be here for a while, honey.

“I’ve lived in Cherry Hills Village since I moved to Denver seven years ago.”

Her eyes widen slightly in surprise, and I’m wondering if she even follows football. I only moved there because most of my teammates live there. “Wow, there’s some beautiful homes there.”

I give her a clipped nod and give myself another mental shake. I’m being rude, and that’s not like me. I may be feeling completely out of sorts tonight, but it’s not fair to take it out on this nice woman.

“So, what do you do?” I ask, picking up my beer.

She begins to tell me about her work and how she’s here for a conference, and no matter how hard I try to pay attention, her voice ends up being tuned out as my eyes latch on to a man and woman sidling up next to Zach at the bar. Neither of them is doing anything to disguise how they are eating him up with their eyes. Zach’s never hidden his bisexuality from me, and I wouldn’t want him to. But tonight, my usual complacency has been replaced with something unfamiliar. That same weird sensation that I felt earlier. An emotion I’ve never experienced before with Zach when it comes to potential sexual partners.

Jealousy.

The man places a hand high on Zach’s thigh, and my jaw actually pops from how hard I’m clenching it.

I want to go over there and swipe his hand off his leg. Bile burns my throat as the territorial feeling brews even stronger in my chest, and it’s sending me off-kilter.

Who the fuck does he think he is touching him like that? Zach ismine, goddamnit. We’re on this vacation together. To spend time together. Which I know is fucking contradictory as hell considering I’m sitting here with Raegan.

Fuck. Raegan. I completely zoned out again.

“Carter?” Her voice filters through the rage bubbling in my ears.

My head snaps to face her. There’s a crease between her perfectly shaped brows. She’s fucking stunning, and the frown on her face looks out of place.

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