Page 56 of On Her Team
“He’s always grumpy,” Corbin adds.
Gage opens the back and Brock lifts out the cooler while Corbin grabs all of the shopping bags. They march off without another word.
“We can help,” I holler after them.
“We wouldn’t want little Gage to hurt himself,” Brock says.
“Little Gage?” I glance up at him. “You’re well over six feet tall.”
He puffs out his chest. “Six foot two inches to be exact, but they’re both nearly six inches taller than me. It makes them think they’re superior. They’re wrong.”
“Does the shit talking ever end?”
“Nope.” He grasps my hand and a jolt of electricity hits me as our skin touches. I wonder how it would feel if he touched me in other places. Preferably while we’re both naked. My nipples pebble, and my panties dampen.
Friends. Just friends. I force sexy thoughts of Gage out of my mind.
I try to tug my hand away from his but he tightens his hold. I open my mouth to yell at him but we reach the beach and his friends. I’m not arguing in front of his teammates. They wouldn’t hesitate to stick their noses into our business.
“Gage!” Nolan waves. “Come play volleyball with us.”
“I’m good.”
“You don’t want to play volleyball?” I ask.
“I want to spend my time with you.”
“Go.” I yank my hand from his. “Have fun. I’ll watch.”
“You sure? I invited you today. I don’t want to abandon you.”
“I’m fine.”
He scowls. “Women who say they’re fine aren’t.”
I motion to Alaia and Terri. “I’ll hang out with them while you play.”
When he still hesitates, I push him forward. “I’m not a damsel in distress. I can have fun on my own.”
“But it’s more fun when it’s the two of us.” He waggles his eyebrows before whipping off his t-shirt.
I purse my lips before I drool. Gage’s chest is magnificent. Sculptors could use it as a model. The hard angles. Those six-pack abs. The smooth skin.
He throws his t-shirt at me. “Hold this for me.”
He jogs off. The backside is as magnificent as the front. His shoulders appear strong enough to carry all of the burdens in the world on them.
Alaia and Terri join me. Alaia crosses her arms over her chest. “I’ve never understood the appeal ofTop Gunbefore, but I get it now.”
“It’s all about the beach volleyball scene,” Terri says.
“I can’t believe you’re dating Gage Edwards, the NFL star,” Alaia says. “You hate Mainlanders.”
No one can hate Gage. He’s too nice and caring and sexy. I really need to stop drooling over him. He’s my friend. Nothing more.
“Gage and I aren’t dating.”
Terri snorts. “Does he know you’re not dating?”
