Page 51 of The Riskiest Move

“How old do you want me to be?” He wiggles his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes.

Dancing in his seat, he sings, “I’m twenty-six with a big?—”

“Don’t say it,” Thor interrupts him. “For God’s sake, we’re at a formal event, man,” he scolds, but his smirk tells me it’s all in the name of fun.

Snickering, I shake my head. “I think I’ll stick with Cooper. He keeps me on my toes.”

Cooper grins and slips his arm around my shoulders. “Good answer.”

“I’d keep you on your back,” Griffin says, guffawing.

“Sorry, bro, but this one’s taken,” Cooper says with a good-natured grin, but there’s a hint of possessiveness in his tone that I like. I like it a lot.

Griffin shrugs. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.”

“Sure he can, and I will,” Thor says, smacking Griffin upside the head for the second time tonight. “Stop hitting on your teammate’s girl.”

“Ow. All right. All right. I won’t,” Griffin grumbles, rubbing his head.

Turning to Cooper, I bat my eyelashes at him. “Don’t worry, honey. You’re the only football player for me.”

His face lowers toward mine, making my heart stutter. He rubs the tip of his nose over mine. “I better be.”

Cooper and I sneak out right after the speeches, to avoid the rush. We’re standing at the valet stand, waiting for his car to be brought up, when Lisa, one of the Silverbacks social media assistants who works for Autumn, calls Cooper’s name.

“Hey,” he says.

“Could we get some shots of you two?” she asks, gesturing to Frankie, Autumn’s other assistant.

“Sure.” Cooper releases my hand to slip his arm around my waist, drawing me closer. I turn my head and look into his deep-blue eyes, growing breathless as his face slowly moves closer. His mouth connects with mine, smothering my soft gasp of surprise with his smooth, warm lips.

CHAPTER 14

COOPER

Scarlett’s lips are soft against mine. For a moment, she seems frozen in surprise, but then she melts into the kiss, her hand coming up to rest on my chest. I lose myself in the sensation, forgetting about Lisa and Frankie’s flashing camera. All I’m focusing on is the feel of Scarlett in my arms, the sweet scent of her perfume, and the way her lips move perfectly with mine.

When we finally break apart, we’re both a little breathless. Scarlett’s cheeks are flushed, her blue eyes wide as they meet mine. There’s a question in her gaze I’m not sure how to answer.

“That was perfect,” Lisa exclaims, breaking the spell between us. “You two are fire together.”

I clear my throat, trying to regain my composure. “Thanks,” I manage to say, my arm still around Scarlett’s waist. It felt like fucking fire to me too.

“Hey, where are the two of you sneaking off to?” Autumn calls out as she and Rogan approach.

“We’re heading out,” Scarlett answers.

“Thanks for saying goodbye.” Her sarcasm is on point.

“I couldn’t really run around the table hugging people when we were trying to slip out unnoticed,” Scarlett explains.

Autumn huffs. “Well, we noticed.”

Rogan places his hand on Autumn’s back. “Maybe you should cut them some slack.”

She looks up at him and he gives a gentle nod of encouragement.

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