Page 44 of Playboy

Daniel gives me a look that saysoh, we’re doing this?

I simply hold his gaze.

“The only person I want to play with is standing right here.”

Ava and Lennox snicker beside me. It takes a shit ton of effort not to glare at them.

“But I put in such a good word for you with the Barbie over there.” I nod to the bar where Camden is already deep—and I mean that figuratively, because the flirty looks they’re both wearing screamshallow—in conversation.

“Yeah, I’m all set with that.” He holds my stare, his jaw rigid.

Our friends are silent, and though I don’t dare look at them, I can feel every eye locked on us, like they’re all waiting for the fireworks to start.

“I’m not in the mood,” I grit out.

“It’s true,” Lennox says from nearby. “She’s been in a funk all night.”

Before I can turn to her, Daniel leans in and presses his lips to my neck, sending shivers streaking through me. “That’s because my girl is needy, and she’s been depriving herself.”

“Oh, that is totally a thing,” Lennox agrees. “I call it hagitated. Horny and agitated. You just need an orgasm or two to set you right.”

Straightening, Daniel raises his brows, his attention all on me.

I bite my lip as I try to keep from laughing. “Can I use that in a book? That’s gold.”

“What is happening here?” Sara says, her voice a little too loud.

Finally, I look away from Daniel, the spell his touch put on me evaporating.

“Nothing. I’m just leaving.”

“Yes. With me.” The bane of my existence leans across me, one arm still holding me in place and the other outstretched toward War. “I’ll get her home. Great first season, Cap. Proud to be on your team.”

With a look at me, War slips his hand into Daniel’s and smiles. “Take care ofourgirl.”

The fucker still clinging to me chuckles as he tugs me away. “My girl, but thanks for caring about her.”

As soon as we step outside, I shrug him off. “What the hell was that?”

“Hi, sweetheart,” he says, his tone a strange mix of forced sweetness and irritation. “It’s nice to see you too. Thanks for returning all my phone calls. I really appreciated that.”

I huff out a breath and come to a stop on the sidewalk. “This isn’t funny. Now everyone’s going to know.”

With a purely unaffected shrug, he says, “You didn’t seem to care about that when you were screaming my name in Arizona.”

My cheeks heat. Dammit. What is wrong with me? I never blush. “That was before.”

His jaw tightens, and for the first time tonight, the cocky playboy persona fades. Gone is the smooth man with all the lines. This man is something else entirely. Earnest, serious…hurt? No, that can’t be it. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

“Yeah, Hannah. Before.” He presses closer, engulfing me in his warm, smoky scent. “Before we walked through that pharmacy together and picked out pregnancy tests. Before we found out we’re going to be parents.” He huffs out a breath and shakes his head. “As in us. You and me. So yeah, I know all those people”—he nods at the door to the bar—“mean a lot to you, but I should mean something too. At least enough to deserve a return phone call.”

The words hang between us, and a truckload of shame rolls through me.

“I’m sorry.”

Hands in his pockets, he only watches me, waiting for me to elaborate.

I look back toward the bar. On the other side of the window, our friends have gone back to their conversations. Laughing and happy, completely unaffected, while my world has beenturned upside down. He’s right. He’s likely the only person who would have noticed if I’d walked out of that bar without saying goodbye. I should have more respect for him than what I’ve shown. “I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around all of this. I”—I shake my head—“I’m not good at this.”

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