It’s taken from the side, so you’re able to clearly see how her legs are wrapped around me, feet hooked together, one hand cupping my face, the other clutching the hair at the back of my head. It also shows my hand gripping under her thigh and my helmet resting against her ass while the other is hooked around her back. We look like something out of a movie. Oh look—there’s a hashtag that says just that.
“Oh my god!” Kay buries her face in my chest. She’s slowly been making an effort with her media presence, but I know it’s still not her favorite.
Me? I have no qualms. “I’m making this my new background.”
Kay’s head pops up, eyes wide. “Really?”
She’s adorable. “Fuck yeah, babe.” I place a kiss to the tip of her nose. “Look at us—we’re hot.”
The most breathtaking smile I have ever seen transforms her face. “Would it be corny if we had matching backgrounds?”
“Who the fuck cares? Give me your phone.” I switch my beer to the arm behind her and hold out my now free hand.
She smirks but does as I ask. Entering her passcode—now the date I asked her out—I take care of sending her the picture and setting it as her background. We’re so cute, kinda makes you sick, huh?
Alex and Grayson are over in the corner doing their best to create a reenactment of the picture with Em and Quinn acting as photographers.
Suddenly, like a record scratching, all conversation cuts off and it feels like all the air gets sucked out of the room.
Every muscle in my body locks up, causing Kay to peer up at me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the questioning look she’s giving me, but my attention stays solely focused on the swinging door leading into the room from the hallway.
In my lap, she goes rigid, all the earlier ease evaporating in an instant, replaced by an under-five-foot ball of anxiety as she follows my line of sight…
To where Liam Parker stands in the doorway.
#Chapter62
One minute I’m luxuriating in the feel of Mase’s fingers tracing shapes on my skin, no longer restricted by my ColdGear top. The next I’m wondering if I fell asleep from those drugging touches because I’m staring at a literal nightmare—Liam Parker.
What the hell is he doing here?
My mind whirls. This is bad.
This is so, so bad.
The…incident in the tunnels was one thing, but showing up at what is essentially the U of J’s sport teams’ home base is a whole new level of stupidity. How did he even get in here?
If the way the team was during the game is any indication, there’s no way this showdown ends without bloodshed.
There’s a tremble in Mason’s hands as he lifts me with him as he stands. Jaw clenched, vein pulsing at the side of his neck, eyes never straying from the threat before us, he slowly lowers me until the rubber soles of my boots touch the hardwood floor.
A slimy feeling travels down my spine when Liam cackles at how Mase shifts so he’s in front of me, using his large frame as a barrier between myself and the threat.
“Wow, Kay.” Liam looks around at all the Hawks players shifting into the danger zone in support of us. I hope he’s regretting only bringing two of his teammates with him. “Guess you really are a full-service type of girl, huh? First the Royals and now a whole football team?”
“I told you…” Mase hooks a hand around my ribs and shifts me behind him more. “Keep her name out. Of. Your. Mouth.”
I grip the back of Mase’s polo, peering around him in time to see a smarmy smile overtake Liam’s face. This isn’t going to be good.
“Poor, poor Nova,” Liam coos in false sympathy, setting my teeth on edge. “How’s it feel to know it was my name she moaned first?”
There’s a collective hiss at Liam’s question, and my knuckles turn white around the fabric clutched in my hands.
“Stay the fuck away from my girl.” Mase takes a step toward Liam and I move from behind him, wrapping my arms around his middle like a snake to keep him in place. He’s a powder keg waiting to explode.
With the increased press coverage the rivalry game brings, the last thing Mason needs is to allow himself to be manipulated into a fight. Off-field antics and drama can have as much of an impact on a player’s chance at a pro career as those on it.
Liam tries again. “Tell me, Nova, does she still do that thing with her hips when she’s on top?” He gyrates in a way that looks more like a drunken monkey than anything sexual.
“Fuck. You,” Mase bites out, boiling in fury.
“Though I will say, having her flat on her back was fun too.” Liam taps his chin with the tip of his finger.
I shift my gaze to G, sending him a pleading look. I’m no match for Mason’s size, and I’m going to need backup if I have any hope of restraining him.
“You talk a big game, Parker.” Mase’s voice is an eerie monotone as he speaks, and goose flesh covers my arms. “But from my recollection, the only one having the experience of being flat on their back tonight was you.” The side of his mouth lifts then he says, “So why don’t you tell me…how’d the turf taste?”
Snickers sound from around the room, including some from both of Liam’s teammates.
Mase tips his chin down to check that I’m alright. In his concern for me, he doesn’t see Liam lunge for him.
I don’t think. I only react.
The drive to protect the man I love has instinct taking over and I jump in front of him, my only thought to push him out of harm’s way.
Pain explodes on the side of my face.
My feet leave the ground.
My head hits something
