“Do you like it?” she asks.
I dip my finger under the thin strap of her dress and run it along her shoulder, to where it connects at her chest. Goosebumps erupt under my touch, so I do it again. “You have no idea how much trouble I’m going to get into, taking you out in this.”
She huffs out a breath. “Please don’t tell me you’re suddenly one of those guys that won’t let their girlfriends dress how they want because they’re jealous.”
My gaze snaps to hers from where it had dropped to the perfect rounds of her tits. “Never.” My lips pull up in a mischievous grin. “You can wear whatever you want, Kitten. I’m more than happy to fight any of my teammates that look at you too long.”
Although I’m mostly kidding, there are a few guys on the team that I’ve never gotten along with and they better back the fuck off, or I’ll be happy to give them incentive to.
She trails her fingers up my crisp black dress shirt, and circles each button as she makes her way to the open one near my neck. “Oh yeah?”
I swallow hard when her palms flatten on my chest and croak. “Yes.”
She smirks, and I know in that second I’d give her anything she asks. “Should I fight off every woman that looks at you?”
Running my thumb along her jaw, I tip her head back and let my lips graze hers. “Would you fight for me, Kitten?”
“Always.”
“Well, aren’t you two pretty?” River says after coming through the front door, from where he got changed across the hall. We’ve been using my apartment more like a giant walk-in closet since we’ve all moved into River’s.
He shifts to lean back against the door, and loosely crosses his arms as he watches us. Mia steps to my side, and I throw my arm around her, tugging her closer as we all take each other in.
River’s white dress shirt is perfectly tailored to show off a hint of his muscles. Enough to tease me with the idea of ripping it the fuck off him.
He straightens, standing to his full height, and crosses the room to us. He dips his mouth to mine, capturing it in a soft kiss, before doing the same with Mia. She sways on her feet, and I smile, steadying her.
River runs his thumb under her bottom lip, pulling it down slightly before stepping back. “I can’t wait to see how they all drool over the two of you, and know that I’m the one that gets to take you home.”
Holy shit.
My dick clenches painfully hard. “Let’s stay home.”
“It’s your celebration party.” Mia laughs.
“Exactly. It’s my party and I can stay home if I want to.”
She looks like she’s considering it but River steps back.
“I have plans for you tonight and none of them involve a quickie on the way to the party.
“Come on, man.” I protest at the same time my cock swells. I fucking love River’s plans.
We somehow managed not to maul each other during the twenty-minute ride to the restaurant. Piper and Mia chose an Italian place that is known for both its food and ambiance. It’s dimly lit, with thick drapery hung around the windows and large black chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
The hostess eyes me, only to have River step between us. I give Mia a knowing glance and whisper. “So much for letting other people drool over us.”
River turns toward me, his voice coming out as a warning. “Be good.”
Fuck, I’ve never wanted to be bad as much as I do right now. To know exactly what River would do to us if we don’t follow his orders. From the way Mia’s looking at him, she’s feeling the exact same way. She gives me a conspiratorial look before we follow the hostess into a private room at the back of the restaurant. My focus is on the low fabric of Mia’s dress and how easy it would be to slip my hand under it and squeeze her ass. I follow after her like a puppy, completely oblivious to the stares around us.
“Congratulations!” The small space erupts in cheers and a giddiness bubbles in my chest. All of my teammates are here. Coach and assistant coaches all clapping as we enter. Pride takes over as I look around the smiling faces when I’m lifted off my feet.
“Fucking took you long enough.” Jax laughs as he hauls me higher, earning him a disapproving grunt from River. He sets me down and grips my shoulder, turning serious. “All jokes aside. You deserve this.”
“Move out of the way.” Sidney’s voice drifts up from where he’s blocked her, and he moves immediately. I wonder if I look like that whenever Mia tells me what to do.
She smiles brightly and wraps me in a hug. “Congratulations.”