Page 28 of Throwing the Curve

“Oh right, yes, the game with Tommy.” She squeezed his hand back to let him know she’d caught on. “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it. I just didn’t realize it was coming up so quick.”

“Well, I’ll look forward to seeing you there,” Coach Gill said.

Ryan placed his hand against the small of her back and eased her away from the group. “Thanks for that. You were great. Sorry, you just got roped into coming to a game.”

“No problem, you’re lucky I like watching baseball.” She winked at him. “So who’s Tommy?”

“He’s this kid who had his wish granted to meet me. He’s a cool kid, so I organized it with the team for him to throw out the first pitch when we play Texas next weekend. It’ll be Sunday’s game, so I’ll get you a ticket.”

“Sounds fun.”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Carmella and Andy making their way toward them.

“Fuck,” he muttered. “Incoming.”

Peyton looked over and groaned. “Think we can make a break for it?”

“Nope, Carmella definitely has you in the crosshairs.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Peyton grumbled. “It’s going to be a long night.”

He bit back a growl when he saw the way Andy was eye-fucking Peyton. Mother fucker. Asshole couldn’t even try to pretend he didn’t want Peyton.

Ryan wrapped his arm around Peyton’s waist and pulled her up against him. “Just a heads up I plan to be handsy, so Andy gets uncomfortable and doesn’t stay too long.”

“K,” Peyton said, her voice sounded all breathy. Did she like the idea of him getting handsy with her?

“Peyton, Ryan,” Carmella gushed as they approached. “So nice to see you both. Peyton, you look beautiful.”

“Oh thank you,” Peyton replied. “So do you.”

“You really do look beautiful, Peyton,” Andy said.

Seriously? The guy was unreal. Ryan curled his hand into Peyton’s waist, and she turned her body into his and pressed her hand against his chest and smiled up at him. “It’s the first time Ryan and I have had a chance to dress up all fancy, so it’s kind of fun.”

“Oh Ryan, have you not been treating this girl right?” Carmella asked.

He ran his hand up her back, loving the way she shivered beneath his touch. “She hasn’t been complaining, Carm.”

Carmella waggled her eyebrows at them. “I’m sure she hasn’t.”

Peyton smiled up at him. Damn, she was either a better actress than he’d given her credit for or the little bit of touching they’d each been doing for Andy and Carmella’s benefit was having the same effect on her as it was on him.

“I’ve got no complaints about dating Ryan whatsoever,” Peyton said. Her hand trailed down his chest and across his stomach. His muscles rippled beneath her touch, and he bit back a groan. Placing his hand on top of hers, he narrowed his eyes when she raised an eyebrow at him, a glimmer of mischief in her eyes.

“If you’ll excuse us,” he said to Carmella and Andy. Grabbing Peyton’s hand, he led her back toward the dancefloor. Somehow, he didn’t think she’d appreciate it if he dragged her into the nearest closest like he wanted to.

Once on the dancefloor, he pulled her close, pressing his body against her. He wrapped one hand around the back of her neck, threading his fingers into her hair. She melted against him. Her body like a boneless puddle, putting him in control of their movement on the floor. He moved his other hand at her waist, and she practically purred. Jesus. His dick instantly pulsed to attention.

“That went well,” he murmured against her ear.

“Mmm,” she responded absently.

He smiled to himself. Definitely not the only one feeling this attraction. Glancing over her shoulder, he winced when he saw a number of rapt eyes on them. “Fuck,” he muttered, as he put a little space between them.

“What?” Peyton asked.

“Nothing, I’m just thinking you weren’t so off base saying there was a lot of interest in us.” Why were they all looking at them? Didn’t they have better things to do?

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