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“Sorry. I’m a bit of a moody bastard, as you’ll come to know, no doubt.” He gave me a quick, wry grin, and I caught a flash of dimples.
Dimples.
I could’ve sworn I heard Avery sigh dreamily.
“No need to apologise.” I shrugged, unbothered.
I turned to Alex. “How’s my favourite rugby fullback doing? Broken any more hearts lately?”
He grinned at me. “Oh, only three or four this week,” he said airily.
“Alex, Alex, Alex.” I tutted. “When are you going to stop playing the field and find a nice girl to make you happy?”
“Why, are you offering your services?” He cocked a brow at me, smiling cheekily.
“Get your own girl. This one’s mine.” A pair of strong arms encircled me possessively, and a nose nuzzled into my neck.
I leaned back against Luke, happiness filling me.
“You’re killing me, baby. I guess you and I were never meant to be. I’m crushed. Crushed.” Alex sighed theatrically, pouting in my direction.
“For fuck’s sake,” Luke muttered, amusement in his voice.
Alex shook his head. “I heard that. You got lucky, Lukey-boy. Don’t let our lovely Liv go, or I’ll have to set Jake on you.”
We all looked over at Jake, who rolled his eyes. “Whatever, mate.” He jumped up in one smooth, athletic move, swiping his T-shirt from the ground. “I’m off. Cheers for today, boys. Alex, see you at training tomorrow,” he called as he jogged away.
“Okay, now I’m the only single one here.” Alex pouted. “Am I?” He scrutinised me and Luke.
“Yes, you are. Liv is off limits.” Luke’s firm voice, close to my ear, sent shivers through me. “I thought it was bloody obvious from what I told you about two minutes ago. We’re…friends. But we have an arrangement. Don’t even go there, alright, mate?”
Warmth spread through me at his words.
“Ha! I was messing with you. Just wanted to hear you admit you guys were together, or whatever you want to call it.” A gleeful smile spread across Alex’s face. “This is kind of a big deal for you, you know.”
“Alex, don’t,” Ethan rumbled.
“Luke knows I’m teasing,” Alex insisted.
His attention was caught by a woman jogging past. She turned, making it clear to us all she was checking him out.
“Be right back,” he mumbled, heading in her direction.
Ethan and Avery were conversing in low tones, so I took the moment of semi-privacy to speak to Luke. I turned my head so I was closer to his ear.
“Are you okay with all of this? It seems like everything’s moved so fast since the party, and I know you wanted to take it slowly. You’re saying one thing, but your actions are telling me something else.”
His arms tightened around me. “I know, baby. I told you this was all new to me. I’m winging it here—sorry if I’m confusing you. All I know is I want you and no one else. I don’t want to rush into anything, but I like this. Being here with you.”
“I want the same.” I kissed his ear lightly, and he shuddered. “And I’m not complaining. I just want you to tell me if you feel like things are getting out of control, or moving too fast for you, or whatever.”
“I will,” he assured me. His hand captured my chin, turning my face so our mouths were aligned. Our lips met in a heady, drugging kiss, his soft lips caressing mine and his tongue rolling against my own.
Everything else ceased to exist.
When he drew back from me, staring into my eyes, his darkened gaze made my stomach flip.
“We’d better go for lunch somewhere public,” he ground out, “or I won’t be held responsible for what I do.” We looked at each other for a moment, electricity sparking between us, until we were interrupted.
