His teammates, though, come and go with claps and jokes. The only person he actually talks to?Dominic. When Zed turns his head toward Dom, something shifts; his posture loosens a fraction.
I look at Dom again, and my heart stutters.
The man who’s been barking at me for weeks like I’m his personal hell. The reigning captain who treated my presence as an inconvenience at best.
And last night he was mine. I know how his muscles ripple when he braces himself over me. I know what it feels like to be underneath all that power.
It doesn’t feel real. And yet I still feel it in the ache between my thighs.
My traitorous eyes flick down to his crotch, uninvited. My brain supplies a highlight reel and my thighs press together in reflex.
Absolutely not.
This is not the place to start dripping over Dominic. I’m in public, surrounded by people.
Zed leans in toward Dom to tell him something and Dom’s eyes slide sideways until they meet mine from across the room.
Are they talking about me?
I glance at the goalie once, enough to catch his gaze.
If Dom’s not going to introduce me, I’ll do it myself. Time to push some buttons.
I slide out of the booth and weave through bodies. Zed towers over the VIP bar beside Dom like a dark angel against the swirl of neon. Even though instincts tell me to stay away, I’m standing in front of him with my back to Dom.
“Hi, you must be the goalie,” I say, smiling, offering my hand. “I’m Jessica. Pleasure to finally meet you.”
He looks down at my offering for a second, then his large, tattooed hand wraps around mine. His grip is warm and firm as he gives a single shake.
“Zed. Likewise,” he says simply, and lets go.
There’s something oddly formal about the way he says it.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you celebrate with the guys before,” I say, trying to keep the tone light.
Zed glances sideways, then back at me. “Not big on the party scenes.”
His voice is deep and gruff, not needing much to be heard over the noise.
“Fair.” I let out a breath of laughter.
He looks past me, gaze landing behind my shoulder, and I already know who he’s looking at. Amusement passes through his expression and his lips twitch.
He looks back. Pale eyes meet mine. “Enjoy your night, Jessica” he says, bowing his head fractionally, almost old-fashioned. Then he nods at Dominic and walks away.
A silent heat and mass press behind me. Dominic steps up, palm sliding around my waist as he pulls my back to his front. His mouth dips to my ear.
“You seem pretty eager to talk to my goalie,” he murmurs, low.
I lean into it and pretend to look around the club. “Well,” I hum, “you wouldn’t introduce me to him. And you did leave me all alone. A girl’s gotta entertain herself somehow.”
“I was gone for three minutes.”
“Three minutes too long, Captain.” I shrug.
His grip tightens slightly; the tips of his fingers skate dangerously close to my pelvis. I smile and lean back enough to glance up at him through my lashes. His gaze drops to my mouth.
“Are you jealous?”
