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He massages my shoulder, and I shrug it back, hoping he gets the hint and drops his hand. He does, but only to move it to the back of my chair. We’re crowded around the table, and he’s a big guy. All the men are. It makes sense that his arm is sprawling over the back of my chair.

I glance around the table and see Walker is doing the same, only Riley is snuggled so tight into him, there isn’t enough space to even slide a menu between them.

Darius and Mindy are smooshed too, but they left about an inch of air between them.

Married for a decade and they still have a closeness to be envied.

It isn’t surprising to see Miles man-spreading his giant arms and legs.

He’s got Rowan on one side and a mystery woman on the other.

I think Mindy mentioned something about her sister being in town, but I’m not positive if that’s her.

Jackson and Taylor sit opposite me and are brushing arms, and probably legs as well.

Everyone is cozy. Everyone but me.

“You okay?” Nash massages my shoulder again and I jump to my feet.

“Yeah. Gotta pee.” I shimmy out from the table on Rowan’s side and ask her to order for me.

Nash stands and pulls my chair away for me. Thankfully, he doesn’t follow me to the ladies’ room. I half expect him to come barreling in, lock the door, and take me against the wall. My body wouldn’t fight him off. I hate the way it craves him now.

When I return to the table, Nash stands up like a gentleman and helps me to my chair.

I plaster a smile on my face and join in on Jackson and Taylor’s conversation.

Somehow, I make it through dinner, even with Nash’s thigh constantly rubbing against mine, and in more than a we’re squished around the table kind of way.

I force myself not to react when his arm brushes against mine, or when he squeezes my thigh and asks if I’d like another drink. No, thank you very much. One margarita is all I can handle before my libido takes over and I do something stupid like straddle him in front of everyone.

I thank the fucking universe when we’re done eating and the girls head out to the dance floor. Finally free, I get lost in the music and have fun with my friends, doing all I can to ignore the heated gaze from Nash as he watches me.

“You sure it’s just casual sex?” Rowan asks after the fourth song.

“What do you mean?” I pretend to be ignorant and shimmy my hips to Kane Brown.

“He hasn’t stopped staring at you all night. And we all noticed how he kept his arm around your chair, and the innocent touches. Or were they not-so-innocent?” Rowan grins.

“You need to get laid, girlfriend. You’re seeing too much.”

“Maybe, but I thought it was adorable how he put some of his fries on your plate and asked the server to refill your water before you could ask.”

“He was full, and the server refilled everyone’s glass.”

“Sure, after Nash asked for your glass to be refilled.”

“Are we talking about the way Nash has been drooling all over Kendall tonight?” Riley says, butting into our circle with a refill of drinks.

“No,” I say as Rowan screams, “Yes.”

“Losers.” I take my drink from Riley and tip it back. I hadn’t planned on getting drunk tonight, but my friends are annoying. Hopefully the tequila will make them disappear.

We dance until our feet are sore and my buzz is gone. Before I’m ready to leave, Walker whisks Riley away, and Darius does the same to Mindy and her sister Katie.

Jackson waves his keys from the table, signaling he’s leaving too. “I’m gonna pee one more time. Tell Jackson I’ll be right there,” I say to Rowan.

The line to the bathroom is long, and I’m worried I’m going to pee my pants when I finally make it to a stall. I wash my hands, check out my sweaty reflection, and don’t bother fixing my hair.

I’ve been dancing for over an hour, spent three hours before that cheering at a football game, and I look worse for wear. Since I’m not trying to impress anyone, I purposely leave my tangled hair as is and head out of the bathroom.

The restaurant emptied significantly since I was in there. Our corner section is vacant as well, except for one person.

The corner of Nash’s lip quirks. “Took you long enough.”

“The line was long.” I glance around and notice all the coats and purses are gone. Fucking traitors. They did this on purpose. I’m gonna kill them. I take out my cell and send Jackson and Rowan the middle finger emoji.

ME : You’re both dead to me.

I don’t expect a reply and tuck my phone back in my purse.

“Need a ride?”

“Why do you look so smug?”

“Why do you look so pissed?”

“Because my friends ditched me.”

“No, they didn’t.” Nash holds out my coat for me and helps me into it. “They needed to get going, and I reassured them I’d get you home safely.”

“I’m sure you did.”

He stares down at me with a frown. “Did I do something to upset you, Kendall?”

“No.” He hasn’t. He’s been the perfect gentleman. “Let’s go.”

He doesn’t say anything until we’re a few miles from the restaurant. “I didn’t sabotage your ride, Kendall. I’m sorry if it upsets you that they left without you. I’m taking you home with no expectations.”

“And that’s the issue,” I mutter under my breath.

“What’s the issue?”

Or maybe it wasn’t under my breath. “Why are you doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Being so nice.”

Nash glances at me before focusing on the road. “I’m a nice guy.”

“Not when we’re naked.”

He pulls over to the shoulder and slams on his brake. “Kendall. If I’m too rough or do something you don’t like, you need to tell me. You can have a safe word—”

“Jesus. That’s not what I mean. The sex is amazing. I love the dirty talk. The roughness.”

I squirm in my seat, and I’m not a squirmer. Talking about sex is easy for me. But with Nash, it’s so much more than that. There’s the starting of feelings.

“It’s what’s happening outside of the bedroom that has me confused.”

Nash turns in his seat. “Let me clear the air then.” He reaches for my face and strokes the back of his fingers along my jawline. “I like you, Kendall. I like you a lot. I said this the other night. I don’t want to only spend time with you when you have an itch to be scratched.”

“Me? What about your itches?” I cringe at how stupid that sounded.

Nash chuckles. “My itch is being scratched right now.”

I blink at him in confusion and open my mouth to ask what he means, but he interrupts my thoughts.

“I’ll take you home.” He rubs his thumb along my bottom lip then puts his Range Rover in drive.

We’re quiet the rest of the ride and as Nash pulls into my driveway and walks me to the front door. “Sweet dreams, Kendall.” He kisses the corner of my mouth then retreats before I can press into him and beg for more.

Damn, he’s good. He’s got my heart twisted and my vagina crying for him.