Page 67 of Play It Off

My heart in my throat, I remain mute while my brother and Everleigh chat. I can’t look away from Gavin now that I’ve finally found him. He’s wearing jeans and a black crewneck sweatshirt. Nothing special, but to me, he’s the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. His hair is neatly in place—a rarity—and his face is freshly shaven, his expression gravely serious as he talks with Nico.

God, I want to throw myself at him, rub my body all over his, and beg him to take me somewhere more private. After having sex with him multiple times, it’s not enough. I want more. Pretty sure I’m now completely addicted to him, and I don’t mind. Not one bit.

But I can’t throw myself at him. Instead, I stand there and listen with my brother as my friend babbles at us. And when Coop suggests we should go talk to Gavin and Nico, I remain composed as we make our way closer to them. It doesn’t take long for Gavin to spot me, his eyes warming and his lips tilting up in the tiniest smile. Feels like a private, intimate smile just for me.

Feeling brave, I walk right up to him and wrap him up in a hug, savoring the feel of his big warm body pressed into mine. “Gavin. I haven’t seen you in forever.”

His hands linger on my hips, making me tingle. “Figured you were avoiding me.”

I pull away, and it feels like he’s sending me secret messages via his eyes. Asking me to play along, which I do. He knows I wasn’t avoiding him, but everyone else thinks I have been.

“Looking good, Sienna.” His gaze sweeps over me, settling on my chest, and I stand up a little straighter. It doesn’t feel gross for him to look at me this way like it did with Ryland. No, I want Gavin to see me like this. Appreciate the view, so to speak.

“Why thank you.” My cheeks are hot from his compliment. More than that, from the way he’s watching me. Like he’s a starving man and I’m a juicy steak. Didn’t he call my ass juicy once? Ah, this man has such a way with words. “You’re looking good yourself.”

If he’s starving, I’m positively famished. I know what he’s got going on under those jeans and the sweatshirt, and my hands start to itch with the need to touch him.

“What are you ladies up to, hanging out with Coop?” Gavin’s question is more directed at Everleigh.

“We dragged him away from his bartending duties,” Everleigh says. “And got someone else to take over.”

“Who?” Nico asks Everleigh.

She won’t even look at him, keeping her head averted and aiming it right at me. I’m impressed. And how much did she drink when we got separated? “I don’t know his name.”

“It was Jonesie,” Coop answers for her. “He wanted to do it. Supposedly he has skills.”

“He made me a special concoction, and it’s delicious.” I lift my cup in a cheers gesture yet again before I take a healthy drink, wincing at the strength of the liquor.

Everleigh giggles, tapping her cup against mine before she takes a sip. Nico watches her like he’s never seen anything better in his life, and when he finally looks away with a big smile on his face, he catches me staring at him. That smile fades, and I shake my head slightly.

These men. They’re ridiculous. Always hiding their feelings.

“I was talking to our coaches about your yoga class,” Gavin tells Everleigh, catching my interest.

Her eyes go wide. “Why would you do that?”

Gavin proceeds to explain how he suggested Ever should come to some of their practices and lead some yoga sessions. Everleigh can’t stop beaming, her entire body wiggling with excitement, and it makes me feel like a proud mother at how happy Gavin is making her feel. How he thought about her and wants to help her—and the team too.

Okay, not a proud mother. That’s a stretch. More like a proud ... fuck buddy? Secret lover? Nah, I don’t like how any of those sound.

A proud ... girlfriend?

Yep. That’s it. That’s exactly how I feel.

Gavin eventually stops talking, and he grins at me and Everleigh, and oh wow the sight of his smile does things to me. Makes me feel all squirmy and needy when I see that glow in his eyes. The way he shifts closer like he wants to be near me. I don’t know if anyone notices, but I do.

I notice every single thing the man does when he’s in my presence.

His focus is only for me, his lids lowering in that sexy way, and I’m reminded of the last time we were together in my bed. A blast of heat surges through me, settling between my thighs, and I part my lips, ready to say something vaguely suggestive to him ...

But then Nico starts talking, distracting Gavin completely, and I clamp my lips shut. I’ll get him alone tonight.

I know I will.

Chapter Twenty-FiveGavin

I might’ve accused her of trying to avoid me, but I’m the one who’s been staying away from Sienna all night, knowing the moment I saw her, I’d want to chase after her and get the hell out of here. I need to remain at this party as long as possible, hanging out with my friends. My team. But the later the hour, the rowdier everyone gets, and there are so many people here, most of them I don’t even recognize.

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