Page 68 of Winning the Nightcap

“In my defense, I was about to sneeze,” Evie speaks over me animatedly, dropping her voice low. She winks at Bec. “Told you. That’s his excuse every time.”

“Because it’s the truth! What kind of monster refuses to retake a twelve-year-old kid’s photo when they snapped itmidsneeze,” I yell. “That picture haunted me all the way through my senior year of high school.”

Bec takes a step back, leaning against the concrete wall beside Evie. The two of them share a look, and my stomach drops. That look can only mean trouble for me.

“What else did you do, Evie?” I ask.

“Nothing you need to worry about right now.” Bec pats my chest in a placating gesture. “So, where’s good for dinner around here, hotshot?” Bec makes her way down the hall toward the exit, and before Evie can follow her, I step in front of her.

“Evie…what did you do?” I repeat.

“Relax, big brother, we’re just messing with you. The picture was the only dirt I shared…for now. But…” Evie leans to the side, looking over my shoulder at Bec and then back at me, her smile softening. “I see why you’re so caught up on her. She’s really great, Aiden. I can see it in your eyes already. You’re wrapped up in this way more than you even realize. Now don’t fuck this up, okay? I want to see you happy.You deserve it.”

She pats my shoulder, and a chuckle of disbelief escapes me as I turn to follow them. Evie’s wrong, though. I’ve always known I was in over my head when it came to Bec. Now that I know her better, now that she’s given me glimpses behind her defenses to the woman underneath, I’m all too willing to sink into deeper waters, thanking her the entire way down. Her confidence may have suffered a slight setback, but I’m not doing my job if she doesn’t realize how damn perfect she is. And how damn perfect she is for me.

* * *

“Aiden, breathe. Evie’s a big girl. She can handle herself.”

“I’m not watching her.” I’m watching Pete, and I swear to god, if I see his hand brush her leg one more time, I’m going to give my own teammate a black eye.

Turns out, Evie and Bec are staying in a hotel nearby and when Evie suggested we go for drinks after dinner, I didn’t think twice about it. I should have realized the team would be celebrating, but I was too distracted by Bec’s hand in mine and how fucking hot she looks in that jersey with my name across her back. I’m paying for it now, watching my stupid teammates swarm my sister. My blood is boiling, running hot through my veins.

“If it bothers you that much, I think I know how to take your mind off it,” she says, running her hand from the nape of my neck down my back to massage between my shoulder blades.

The shift in her tone pulls my attention from the overwhelming urge to play the overprotective brother. The corner of her mouth quirks up when my eyes meet hers.

“There he is,” she says confidently. Bec leans in close, her breath hot against my neck as her hand trails up my back again. She tilts herhead up toward my ear and whispers, “I wanted to see if I could hit a home run of my own tonight.”

Without any warning, she wraps her other hand over my upper thigh, inching toward my dick, which springs to life immediately. I cough and adjust myself, trying to hide how hard she’s making me even though she’s barely touched me. I’m not easily rattled, but everything about Bec’s hands on me muddles my thoughts, and my mind empties completely until all that’s left is the compulsion to consume her.

“Come upstairs with me,” I say, pulling her closer to me with a strong hand around her waist.

“What about Evie?” she says, leaning into my side, her tits pressed into my rib cage.

I groan. “One second,” I say before reluctantly pulling myself out of her grasp.

I adjust myself again before standing up and then stalk over to the bar where Pete and Evie are laughing with one another.

“Well, if it isn’t the man in question,” Evie taunts.

“You’re right, Eves. I can see the hearts in his eyes when he’s close like this. Couldn’t tell from across the room,” Pete says.

I ignore him completely, looking only at Evie. “Evie, Bec and I—” I begin to say.

She holds up her hand, cutting me off. “Don’t make this weird, big brother. Go hang with your girlfriend. I’m fine here by myself.”

“I’ll keep you company,” Pete says quickly.

“Matthews, I swear to god, if you even think of trying something with my little sister, I’ll—”

“You’ll what, Aiden? We’ve talked about this. You promised. Now, go enjoy your time with your girl. I’ll take a cab back to my hotel and text you when I get there.”

I know what I promised. After years of scaring off dates and hopeful boyfriends with my overbearing tendencies, Evie had enough. Whileshe was earning her undergraduate degree, she ripped me a new asshole for it. She wouldn’t talk to me for three weeks, our longest fight. I know it’s not fair to think I can protect her from everything, but the fear of losing control…well, it’s not something I handle well when I’m worried about the people I care about.

“Text me when you leave here, and when you get into your room,” I demand.

She salutes me before pushing me lightly on the shoulder back toward Bec. “I promise. Now, go. Stop wasting your time worrying. I’m having fun.”

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