Page 129 of Fighting Chance

“Sorry, buddy, I do believe I was put on this earth for a purpose other than pleasing you.”

“I’d beg to differ. Just looking at you pleases me.”

Rolling my eyes as he winks at me, I try and shove him off me again. “Go fill your cup elsewhere and take your arm off me before one of your groupies over there decides to corner me in the bathroom and murder me.”

Kieran snorts as he nods his thanks at Asher, who slides a beer his way. Everyone takes a seat in the booth once more, falling into conversation with their respective pairs.

“Trust me, no one will touch you and if they do,I’llfucking murder them.”

I study his features. “You sound serious.”

“I am.”

I deadpan. “Kieran.”

He smiles around his beer bottle. “Sunshine.”

“I’m scaring away the puck bunnies, plus no one can know about this besides friends, remember?” I frown. “I don’t want my first time to be splashed online for women to put me down.”

“Fuck, I didn’t think about that.” Kieran glances over at the bar before smiling back at me. “Good thing the bunnies are trying to hook their claws into the rookies.”

Snapping around, I find he’s right. The only ones around are the drunk guys watching highlights of tonight’s game on the TV.

“Move over, you big eejit,” Ellington declares, Valenti close on his heels.

“You suddenly Irish, Ellington?” Kieran asks.

His cheeks flush. “My cousin came to visit after a year abroad and it stuck. Now move.”

Frowning, I take in the very full booth, wondering how we’re going to fit two more people in. Suddenly, large hands are sliding around my waist and lifting me onto a very solid, very muscular lap.

Kieran’s lap, to be exact.

My eyes widen in horror, my cheeks flaming in an instant and no doubt matching not only my hair but the color of this booth, too. Grayson has done the same with Bella, but while I’m sitting here panicking, she looks like she’s in heaven.

I move to scold him, but he simply places his chin atop my shoulder, his head for once at level with mine. “Much better.”

“Are you a goldfish?”

I can feel his chest rise and fall in quick succession behind my back as he laughs quietly. “No.”

“Are you sure? Because you suddenly forgot the conversation we just had.”

“I believe it was you scolding me for touching you.”

“So you do remember.” I turn my head to the side, sucking in a sharp breath when I find Kieran’s face extremely close to mine. “Care to tell me why I’m on your lap then?”

He shrugs as he wraps his arms around my waist. “Perhaps Ilike being scolded.” Kieran’s lips brush across the shell of my ear and as always, I shiver.

I can feel his lips tug up. He must have felt it.

“What would you do if I told you it turns me on?”

“What? My shivering?”

“Try again.”

My brows lower, my brain running a mile a minute trying to figure out what the hell he’s talking about, but if I’m being honest, sitting on top of him is making it hard to concentrate.