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Our waiter returns, delivering our drinks. When he starts to put the large yellow ceramic bowl in front of me, I gesture for him to set it down between us. While he moves over to Darius and Evie to take their order, I grab one of the two straws and Ryder takes the other. With the center shot still flaming, I brush my hair back behind my shoulders before I lean forward to take my first sip. Ryder moves in at the same time, placing our faces in close proximity, which turns my intended sip into a long pull. Even though I’ve had his tongue in my mouth, there’s still something erotic about sharing a drink with him.
When I sit back, the burn of the alcohol hits my throat before the punch of it is felt. “Whoa, that’s strong.” I rub the spot between my eyebrows.
“Go easy there, lightweight,” Ryder teases.
“I am a lightweight, for sure. And this drink is dangerous because it’s still as delicious as I remember it being when I was in college. It’s just as strong too.”
“Don’t worry, I can give you a ride home,” he says.
“You don’t have to. We have the limo.”
“Well, the offer stands regardless,” he says.
The waiter has now made his way around the table to us. “What can I get for you?”
Ryder checks the list on his phone, then slowly recites each item, giving him time to write it all down.
Our waiter collects the menus before leaving the room. I take another sip of our drink, but this time I don’t overdo it.
“Ryder, we never talked about what foods you want me to make for you this coming week.”
He places his hand on my bare leg above my knee, squeezing. “Let’s not worry about work right now. You’re off the clock.”
“But how will I know what to—”
His pointed look silences me. His large, warm hand squeezes my thigh again. “I’ll eat anything you make, so no more thinking or talking about work. Got it?” His head cants as he studies my face.
I nod. “Got it.”
His brown orbs are filled with warmth as he smiles. “Good.” His fingertips slowly trail along my thigh in a series of swirling patterns. It feels like a sexy version of finger painting with my skin as the canvas. I swallow back a moan before it escapes. My eyes locked with his, I hold still as his fingers skim and glide along the skin beneath the hem of my dress.
What would his fingers feel like on my clit?
“So, rumor has it Niall O’Rourke is in negotiations with our team,” Kaiden announces, making me jump. He tucks his phone back into his pocket while I push Ryder’s hand from my leg. My eyes dart around the table to see if anyone’s been watching us. But with the table as a barrier, no one can see. Leaning forward, I suck down a generous gulp from the scorpion bowl.
“Who told you that?” Murphy asks.
Kaiden shakes his head. “I can’t reveal my source.”
“Well, I happen to know it’s true,” Darius says.
“How do you know for sure?” Ryder asks, as if he’s completely unaffected by touching me. And maybe he is. He’s no stranger to female attention. I’m sure he can get any woman he wants.
Darius smiles. “I may have heard it from the man himself.”
“I forgot you guys are tight like that. He could be a great asset for our team,” Ryder says.
Kaiden nods. “We could use an enforcer. That position has died out for the most part in the league, but I think it could be a game changer for us.”
“I think this news is exciting as fuck. As much as I’ve been enjoying my break from hockey, I miss playing. But I know it won’t be long before we’re right back in the season again,” Murphy interjects.
“I feel the same,” Ryder tells him.
“I miss it too, but my body doesn’t,” Kaiden says, and they all laugh.
A few different servers enter the room, carrying trays piled with food. They deliver orders to the appropriate places before hurrying back out to the front of the restaurant.
“Grab what you want first,” Ryder tells me. “And don’t be shy about taking extra because I can eat a lot. Correction—I plan to eat a lot.”
