Page 13 of Shot Taker

It’s one thing for her to think I ended it, that I don’t care, as long as it gets her living her best life.

Watching her laugh with my friends, get hit on by my teammate, act like she and I never hadanything, is not in the cards.

I’m tense as I lean forward to rest my elbows on the table, knocking a butter knife off into Nova’s lap the process.

“Sorry,” I mutter.

I reach for it, but she’s faster, scooting closer to me and retrieving from her other side.

My hand lands on her thigh.

Nova inhales sharply.

“A guy without an ego isn’t good enough at his job,” Miles says, oblivious.

“What if he’s just humble?” Chloe contends.

Jay smirks. “In sex or basketball, there’s no such thing.”

The group continues talking, but I’m focused on her.

Her softness. Her warmth through the leggings.

I should pull back, but I don’t.

I’ve gone weeks without touching her and I can’t bring myself to stop.

Nova grips the knife in one hand and reaches for her drink with the other, her knuckles going white as she takes a long sip.

“Come on, Clay, back me up,” Jay chides.

I lean my free arm along the back of the booth. “Sounds like you’re doing just fine.”

My hand inches higher.

Nova’s thighs squeeze together, trapping my fingers.

“It’s not ego because before you get there, it’s your responsibility to make sure you are the best,” Miles jumps in.

Another inch.

She bites her lip, shifting in her seat.

They’re all engaged in this topic, but I’m thinking only of her.

“That’s it,” Jay agrees. “You gotta hold up your head and know that you’re taking care of business.Allyour business.”

Now, I’m touching her through two layers of fabric instead of one.

Nova’s breath catches, and she makes a strangled sound.

Fuck, she’s hot.

And wet.

My knuckle rubs back and forth.

Her eyes meet mine, full of arousal and anger in equal measure.

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