Page 15 of Pump Fake

“Go ahead, laugh. I’m sure I look ridiculous.”

He tugged on a shirt and a pair of shorts while chuckling. “Nah, you look cute. I like you in my clothes. Well, I like you better out of them.”

I rolled my eyes. “Thanks for the save last night. I’ll call for a ride.”

He was in front of me in two strides, tilting my chin up so our eyes caught and held. “Last night was fun.”

His lips touched mine too briefly, and I almost melted into him.

“Remember, you owe me two favors.”

And that was why I couldn’t give in. Smacking his chest, I tried to push him away. He only moved because he decided to, and I scowled at him.

“Nice. Thanks for the reminder, and I only agreed to one. Also, don’t forget, it can’t be about sex.”

“I don’t need a favor for that.”

Dammit. He was right. He didn’t. I had willingly had sex with him, and if I was being honest with myself, I would again. As in right then. I really wanted to. But reality had returnedand, with it, the knowledge that I had to leave. I’d promised my sister I would help her search for other schools, among other things. It would be a long day.

“All right, well, thanks for… everything.”Awkward.“I’ve got to get back. Lots to do.”

“Come on.” His hand settled on my lower back as he guided me to the door and out into the hallway. “Let’s get some breakfast, then I’ll take you home.”

I shrugged. I could eat. Better then than never, because I wouldn’t eat a single thing at Mom’s. “Isn’t your car at the bar?”

“No, I walked.”

That made sense, considering Last Call was so close to campus. I’d walked too.

The heat of his hand distracted me, and I didn’t notice the beautiful brunette at the stovetop right away—or Kylian Wilder leaning a hip against the counter near her, cradling a cup of what I assumed was coffee.

“Morning.” Ares’s deep voice rumbled before he tugged a strand of her long hair.

She glanced over her shoulder, grinning. “I’m making breakfast. Have a seat.” Then she noticed me. “Oh, hi. I’m Aurora.”

“Brielle.” I smiled, feeling at ease around them despite my less-than-desirable clothing.Well, I take that back.Despite being clean, the faint scent of Ares’s ocean-breeze cologne clung to the clothing. I had to force myself not to lift the collar and inhale until my eyes rolled back in my head.

“You’re not eating before me, Ares,” Kylian teased. “Get in line. And let’s hurry this along before Liam wakes up.”

Ares snorted. “I’m bigger than him, and I swear he consumes more food than me.”

The other footballer breezed into the kitchen and cracked Ares on his head. “That’s because I’m faster than you. I burn more calories. You stumble across the field like a drunken lumberjack.”

“You’re an idiot,” Ares said, but his words held no heat.

“Oh, who’s this? I’m Liam, the better-looking one of us three. Well, Kylian doesn’t count. He’s taken, so keep your eyes off him. But I’m free and willing to give you the time of your life.”

“Back off.” Ares grabbed Liam by the back of his shirt and moved him aside as if he weighed nothing.

Heat stained my cheeks. They were all easy on the eyes and starters too. I may have mentioned I’d gone to a few games, but I would never let on how I even knew their stats. They were freaking unicorns—on the football field—but I didn’t want to date them all. Well, Ares just might be a unicorn in the bedroom too.

Liam leaned against the island and openly stared at me while Aurora set two omelets on the island. Kylian grabbed one before Liam had a chance. When Liam went to take the remaining one, Aurora slapped him on the hand with her spatula.

“That’s for Brielle.” Aurora smiled.

Liam’s eyes sparkled with humor. “I was going to pass it to her. I’m not that much of a jerk.”

“That remains to be seen.” The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them.Shoot, I have no censor.

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