Page 92 of Playing to Win
“Something fruity?”
Ace turns to the server. “Get her something fruity and delicious. And full of lots of alcohol. Please.”
“I don’t want to taste it,” Gwen adds.
“You heard her.” Both his smile and demeanor are absolutely charming and he turns it on me. “What do you want to drink, Red?”
“Something strong and sweet,” I tell him, glancing up at the server. “Whatever you make her, I’ll have the same.”
“Got it. Two Frosés coming right up.” She points her pen at Ace. “You want something, babe?”
Babe?Did she really just call him that?
An unfamiliar emotion rises within me, leaving me flustered. Even dare I say a little…angry? Say what?
God, I think I may be jealous.
“I should probably slow down,” Ace says to the server, that smile still firmly in place. He doesn’t have to do a damn thing, just exist, and women fall at his feet, believing he’s flirting with them. And I get it. He’s handsome. Magnetic. He enters a room and instantly commands it. There are people—mostly women—lingering on the peripheral, all of them trying to play it cool but sneaking glances in the table’s direction, dying for the opportunity to talk to the team.
Really? They’re dying for the chance to speak to Ace.
“Have another beer,” Derek says. “And get us a round of shots.”
“Shots of what?” the server asks.
“Whatever you’ve got that’s the strongest.” Derek grins, turning to look at us. “We’re gonna get fucked up tonight.”
The server leaves and I relax a little, glad she’s gone. She was pretty and seemed interested in Ace but maybe she acted like that because she’s a good server who just wants tips.
Or maybe she wants my man.
I blink, going still. Wait a minute.My man?Am I serious right now? We’re not even close to being in a relationship, and I’m already thinking like this? We’ve hooked up a few times, had plenty of conversations, but that doesn’t mean he’s my man. Plus, he’s told me before that he doesn’t do relationships, though lately he hasn’t acted like that.
No, lately Ace Townsend acts like he’s completely obsessed with me.
Well, the feeling’s mutual.
“You good?” Ace asks me, giving my thigh another squeeze. His hand hasn’t left me yet and no one can tell since we’re hidden by the table.
“I’m great.” I turn to him, surprised to find him so close. Kissing close. I study his face for a moment, getting lost in his handsome features. He definitely showered after the game, of course, and he smells like heaven. He’s freshly shaven, his jaw and cheeks clean and smooth and my gaze lingers on his mouth for a little too long. His lips are the perfect shape, and they’re freaking magical when they kiss me…anywhere he chooses.
I remember him going down on me and just like that, my panties are wet.
“You look a little flustered.” He leans in, his mouth at my ear for the briefest second. “Thinking about anything in particular?”
His hand slides up, his fingers brushing against the spot between my thighs and a shiver steals through me.
“No. Not at all,” I practically choke out, sending him a look that I hope he interprets as,freaking stop it.
He just smiles, the jerk, his thumb pressed firmly against me. “Hey, Gwen, did you guys get some good footage at the game?”
She brightens, nodding enthusiastically. “We definitely did. I saw some of Eric’s footage too since he was on the sidelines. He got the interception Derek made.”
“Of course, he did,” Derek says, sounding smug. “That was epic.”
“It really was,” Gwen agrees and I’m surprised she’d say that but…it’s deserved so maybe I shouldn’t feel that way. “Such a great play.”
“Right? I was stoked.” Derek rubs his hands together, leaning into Ace and practically crushing him as he speaks to Gwen. “I’ve never run so fast in my life. And I’m a big guy. Speed is not on my side.”
