Page 49 of Wicked & Wildflower

“Number eight. The blonde pigtails,” I respond.

“She’s cute,” he says, turning back to us. “I’m watching my niece. She’s number twelve on the other team.” He points out the small brunette girl across the field. “My sister is sitting on the other side, but I thought I saw Everett’s big ass body over here.”

Everett’s shoulders shake with his scoff, but he doesn’t respond.

Jeremiah quietly greets my sister and Leo, who are wrapped in their own conversation, before taking the seat next to me.

Everett loops one large hand around my thigh and tugs me into him. His grip is a possessive warning, and I watch Jeremiah study where his palm spreads across my leg, the ink along his hands and the way his fingers flex beneath Jeremiah’s stare, as if Everett’s daring him to say something.

“Are you two—”

“Yes,” Everett responds immediately.

God, why is jealousy so hot on him?

I swear I could’ve caught a glimpse of disappointment flash across Jeremiah’s face, but it’s gone just as fast. Everett is a brick wall next to me, and Jeremiah looks equally as uncomfortable, though I have no fucking clue what’s going on.

Jeremiah clears his throat. “So, how are you liking work so far?”

“It’s good. I’m enjoying it.” Tilting my head toward the men next to me, I add, “They keep things interesting.”

He snorts. “That’s for sure.”

Jeremiah and I make small talk for a little while, but I can feel the tension radiating off Everett next to me. As the conversation dies down, I lean against him and whisper, “What’s your deal?”

“No deal.”

“Don’t lie.”

Everett glances down at me, the corner of his mouth ticking up. “He came over here to make a move,” he whispers. “Jeremiah knew you had a daughter, and I can guarantee you that dude has never shown up to a game of his niece’s before. He was seeking you out. Didn’t expect to find me.” He slides his hand deeper down my thigh, nearly between my legs. My entire body shivers at the touch, and I know it caught Jeremiah’s attention next to us. “I’m just making sure he knows you’re mine.”

“I’m pretending to be yours,” I murmur. “And I doubt he’s interested. He’s just being nice because his bosses are around.”

“Mhmm.” Everett’s breath is hot against my ear, his nose running the length of my neck until his mouth meets my collarbone. “Pretending.” I feel his lips part, dragging slowly against my skin before his teeth nip at my flesh, tongue snaking out to soothe the sting.

“We’refriends,” I bite out, holding back a moan. My body ignites beneath his touch and teeth and mouth.

“Friends,” he muses, and I feel his smile against my neck. “Do all your friends make you squirt?”

My veins flood with heat, and he laughs again at the sound of my breath hitching. I can’t help the flush of my cheeks and the tension in my core, the fixation on every place his body aligns with mine.

A throat clears next to me, bringing us back to reality. Eyes flying open, I look over at Jeremiah, who’s still sitting next to us, jaw tight. My cheeks flush with embarrassment as Everett leans around me. “Sorry, man. Forgot you were there.”

His eyes narrow. “Right. Well, I should get back to my family.” He hikes a thumb behind him. “I’ll see you guys Monday.”

“See ya!” Everett tosses out, not bothering to make eye contact.

“Bye,” I call before turning to Everett and slapping his chest. “You’re such an ass.”

“I’m an ass?” he deadpans. “That fucker was looking at my girlfriend like she’s his next meal.”

Leo snorts next to us.

I open up to yell at him some more—masking my lust with anger, because I’m trying to ignore the fact that I’m incredibly turned on—when the final whistle blows, signaling the end of the game.

We all gather our things and climb down the bleachers when Lou runs up to us after her team’s post-game huddle. Her pigtail braids bounce at her shoulders as she closes the distance. Despite her team losing in a landslide, she’s beaming when she stops in front of me and catches her breath. “You did so well today, bug,” I chuckle into her hair, bending down to hug her.

She glances up at Everett as he holds out his hand and offers a high-five. She returns it, laughing as she says, “I heard you whistle at me fromsofar away.”

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