Page 97 of Defending her Heart

“Because we were just scratching an itch. We’ve scratched it. The end.”

“Tell me it wasn’t the best sex you’ve ever had.”

I shrug. “Maybe.”

Jackson punches Taylor’s shoulder. “Didn’t I say those two would have explosive sex?”

“You did.” Taylor gives me a wink. “Now that we know, we can leave her alone.”

“Thank you, Taylor. If I haven’t told you lately, I like you better than Jackson.”

“Bitch. I’m not leaving this alone. It’s too good.”

“See?” I throw my hands in the air. “This is why I didn’t want to say anything. Leave it alone, Jackson. In case you haven’t noticed, Nash is a private guy. He doesn’t let people in, including me. It’s just occasional sex. That’s all I want. That’s all he wants. Don’t make a big deal about it, okay?”

“Hmph.” Jackson turns around and settles in his seat. “Do Riley and Walker know?”

“I told Riley. I’m sure she told her husband.”

“Interesting.”

“Promise me you won’t say something stupid in front of Nash. He’s only recently started going out with the team. If you embarrass him, he won’t hang out anymore and that will piss off Walker. Which will piss off Riley. And then Rowan and I won’t talk to you either. And Taylor will file for divorce.”

Taylor chuckles from the front passenger seat.

“Now who’s being dramatic?” Jackson fastens his seat belt and puts the car in Drive. “Fine. Mum’s the word.”

Rowan, bless her heart, goes on a rant about her final exams next week. Once she passes them—which she will—she’ll be a registered nurse and won’t have to work the crazy shifts in the ER. Tonight is her last hoorah before buckling down and burying her nose in her textbooks for ten hours a day.

When we get to the restaurant, we sit in the car until we see the fleet of trucks and SUVs from the stadium pull up. It isn’t until Riley and Walker make their way to the entrance that we climb out of the Mercedes to meet them.

A long arm reaches in front of me to hold the door. I don’t need to turn around to know it’s Nash. I can feel him. Smell his soap and pine scent.

“Thanks,” I murmur, following our entourage. Mindy and Darius are already here, and everyone piles around the long table.

Nash rests his hand on my lower back, and even through my thick jacket, I can feel the heat from his touch. “Here.” He pulls out a chair for me, and I glance around the table.

No one is paying us any attention except for Jackson. I glare at him and plop myself down in the chair, ignoring Nash to my right. I struggle with my coat, but when my arms are finally free, he takes it from me and hangs it on a hook behind our chairs.

“Thanks,” I say to my lap, still not making eye contact with him.

I keep my body turned to my left so my back is to him and pick up the menu, pretending to be completely enthralled with the offerings. We’ve been coming here after almost every game for over a year, and I always get the same chicken sandwich and salad. Still, I need a distraction from Nash being so close.

I don’t mind flirting with him on my phone, or talking dirty when we’re naked, but this whole out in public thing has me on edge. It was hard enough when it was just the two of us, but now we have an audience.

Friends. We’re just friends. Our sex life is private. Well, except half the table knows about it. Maybe more if Nash has told his friends. I’m doubtful, with how much he likes to keep others out of his private life.

I set my menu down and lean back in my chair when a strong hand strokes my left shoulder. I startle and look down at Nash’s fingers as he plays with my hair.

“Chicken sandwich and salad?” he leans into me and whispers into my ear.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t whispering, but he wasn’t yelling across the table like the rest of our rowdy friends. How does he do that? Know what I like to eat, what I’m feeling, what I need?

He massages my shoulder, and I shrug it back, hoping he gets the hint and drops his hand. He does, but only to move it to the back of my chair. We’re crowded around the table, and he’s a bigguy. All the men are. It makes sense that his arm is sprawling over the back of my chair.

I glance around the table and see Walker is doing the same, only Riley is snuggled so tight into him, there isn’t enough space to even slide a menu between them. Darius and Mindy are smooshed too, but they left about an inch of air between them. Married for a decade and they still have a closeness to be envied.

It isn’t surprising to see Miles man-spreading his giant arms and legs. He’s got Rowan on one side and a mystery woman on the other. I think Mindy mentioned something about her sister being in town, but I’m not positive if that’s her. Jackson and Taylor sit opposite me and are brushing arms, and probably legs as well.

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