Page 26

Chapter 26

Gemma

The game had been over for a while, and most of the fans had filed out, but I was still seated half an hour later, waiting for Sasha, I assumed, since he’d told me to stay put at the end of the game. I wasn’t sure how long I could remain here before the crews set to clean up the mess left behind by those in attendance would shoo me away so they could do their job.

“Gemma! Over here!” a vaguely familiar voice called out, and I turned to find the source.

Evie, Dakota, and Tessa stood in the aisle at the end of the row, all staring at me with bright smiles.

Rising to my feet, I made my way over to them.

“Not sure you could have picked a better night to come to your first game.” Dakota beamed at me. “I’ve never seen a goalie score in person before.”

Dropping my eyes, I kicked a few pieces of discarded popcorn away with the toe of my boot. “I’m guessing that it’s kinda rare the way everyone reacted?”

“You can say that again.” She huffed out a laugh. “Bristol texted me the stats when it happened. It’s only happened about a dozen times in the last twenty-five years!”

My head snapped up, my voice rising in pitch. “Seriously?”

Smirking, Dakota playfully nudged my shoulder. “I used to be just like you. The first time I came to watch Braxton play, he scored a hat trick.”

“I don’t know what that is.”

“Neither did I. I kept asking why the fans were throwing their hats onto the ice. Bristol had to explain that’s what they do when a player scores three goals in a single game—a hat trick, get it? I didn’t even realize he’d scored that many, let alone that it was something special.”

The second mention of the spunky redhead drew my attention to the fact that she wasn’t present in the pack of ladies who had come to join me. She was a reporter for the team, so her absence seemed unusual, and then I remembered that she was pregnant.

“Is Bristol on maternity leave already?”

Tessa snorted. “Maddox wishes.”

Dakota shook her head. “Nah. She’s in the tunnels somewhere doing her job.”

“Ah.” I nodded slowly.

When the silence stretched between us with all three sets of eyes trained on me, I began to squirm. “Um, well, it was nice of you to come down here and keep me company, but it’s been a while with no sign of Sasha, so I think I’m gonna head home.”

A mischievous sparkle entered Dakota’s dark blue eyes. “Oh, that’s not why we came down here.”

“It’s not?” My palms grew sweaty, and I wiped them on my jeans.

“When Goose told us you might come tonight, we decided to give you the full Speed WAG experience.”

“Uh, what’s that?”

Tessa chimed in. “It’s been a while for our little group since most of us have kids at home, or in Bristol’s case, a bun in the oven, but most of the team heads to Pipes, a karaoke bar a few blocks over, after games. It’s a great way to blow off steam and relax. After the show Goose put on tonight, I’m sure the place will be hopping.”

Attending the game had left me exhausted; the adrenaline crash after watching Sasha score was pulling me down fast. I wasn’t sure I could handle a few more hours out, let alone be expected to socialize with his friends.

“Oh, I don’t know. It’s already kinda late.”

Evie spoke up for the first time. “You’ve been to my house, right?” I nodded, so she continued, “Then you know I’m constantly surrounded by ankle biters with endless energy. I have a babysitter tonight, Gemma. For the whole night .” She widened her eyes, making her meaning clear. “Help a girl out, and don’t ruin this for me.”

Jesus. How in the hell had I become the determining factor in whether this woman got laid tonight?

If their plan was to use peer pressure to get me to cave, it was working. Being the outsider in a group dynamic made me uncomfortable enough; I didn’t need to tack on the anxiety of wondering if they were talking about me behind my back because I was a wet blanket who wouldn’t take up their offer for a night out.

Mentally heaving a heavy sigh, I gave in to their request. “Okay. Sounds like fun.”

Their matching grins told me I was in for a wild ride tonight.

God help me.

The four of us arrived at the country-themed karaoke bar before the guys, but the fans had beaten us there. The girls explained that this was a typical crowd for after a game— especially after a win—but they assured me the fans understood the boundaries and would keep their distance while we enjoyed our evening. They said the trick was to pretend they weren’t even there.

Easier said than done. How are these people happy living in a fishbowl?

Management had set up a section near the stage for the team, and that’s where we sat, watching the patrons put on a show—some with great vocals, others with enough liquor in their system to no longer care they were tone deaf—while sipping on our first round of drinks.

The scent of citrus hit my nostrils a split-second before arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind. The tips of damp hair tickled my neck as warm lips brushed against my cheek.

My anxiety melted away as the embodiment of sunshine and happiness surrounded me.

“Hey, baby.” His words were said directly in my ear to be heard over the music and lyrics pumping through nearby speakers.

Turning my head, I was lucky enough to catch those lips with mine, my hand snaking up to tangle in his golden locks, keeping him there as I slipped my tongue inside his mouth. Sasha groaned, battling back, making me dizzy as he took over the kiss.

Breaking away when we were both breathless, he pressed his forehead to mine. “So, glad you came tonight.”

After learning how his achievement tonight wouldn’t soon be forgotten by anyone in the sports world, I was grateful to have been there to witness it.

Trying to break through some of the sexual tension since we were in public, I teased, “People are telling me you’re kinda good at this sports thing. Almost makes up for your showboating.”

His bark of laughter made my soul sing, especially when he pulled away enough for me to catch sight of his wide smile. His light couldn’t be contained, and a quick peek at the ladies seated around me told me it cast a wide net—their eyes sparkled in amusement as they watched our interaction.

“Fuck, Gemma. You’re goddamn perfect, you know that?”

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I ducked my head. Sasha made sure to constantly shower me with compliments, but I still had a hard time seeing what he did when he looked at me.

Fingers gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his eye. “Perfect,” he repeated the word. “Got it?”

I gave the tiniest nod, and he rewarded me with a quick kiss.

Turning to my companions, he asked, “What are we drinking, ladies? I’ll grab you another round.”

Bristol chose that moment to drop heavily into the chair opposite me, huffing, “This place isn’t nearly as fun when you can’t drink.” She stuck her lower lip out, crossing both arms over her protruding belly. Poor thing looked like she was about to pop.

Sasha, being the good guy he was, tried to make her feel better. “I’ll get you a super tasty virgin cocktail, Mama. Just let me know what kind.”

Scoffing, Bristol glared at the man standing behind me. “I want a whiskey, Goose. Got a virgin one of those up your sleeve?”

My eyes volleyed between the two of them, and wisely, Sasha backed away with his hands held up in surrender. “If it helps, you’re glowing. Prettiest you’ve ever looked.”

When Bristol’s nostrils flared, and she looked about ready to spit fire, he turned tail and practically ran to the bar.

Groaning, she rubbed a hand over her stomach. “I need this kid out of me, stat.”

“How much longer?” I dared to ask, hoping she wouldn’t turn her temper on me next for asking an innocent question.

She tilted her face toward the ceiling and blew out a breath before responding, “Seven more weeks.”

“ Seven ?” I exclaimed, my eyes going wide.

Her belly was huge. I wasn’t sure how she would be able to remain upright if it kept growing for almost another two months.

Pointing a finger in my direction, she warned, “Just you wait. That’s what you get when you procreate with a freaking giant. Their spawn are big, too.” She pursed her lips, sizing me up. “Though you’re on the tall side. I bet your kid would be massive.” Grumbling, she added, “At least you have the hips for it.”

My swallow was involuntary. She had a point. Guess it was a good thing I wasn’t planning on making babies with Sasha, even though he had a one-track mind when it came to that subject.

A glass containing a fresh margarita was placed before me. I turned in my seat to thank Sasha, but the words died on my tongue when I saw Maddox standing over me instead.

“Um.” I didn’t know what to say. The last time we’d spoken had been a disaster, and I wasn’t in any mood for an encore.

Maddox nodded toward the margarita. “Consider it a peace offering.”

Before I could open my mouth to respond, Bristol shouted, “Where the hell is my peace offering?”

Eyes snapping to his wife’s, he ran a hand over the exhausted expression on his face. “Bristol.”

Her arm shot out, pointing to the opposite end of the long table. “You can fuck off right now. You did this to me.”

Shaking his head, Maddox lifted his eyes skyward, muttering, “And this is why I didn’t want to come out tonight,” as he followed her command and walked away.

The minute he was out of earshot, Bristol leaned her elbows onto the table, a wicked grin curving on her lips. “He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m gonna get a little payback next week.”

Dakota snickered. “You still haven’t told him?”

“Oh, I’ve told him. But he still hasn’t figured out after all these years that he can’t boss me around like he does his players.”

Evie’s ears perked up. “Wait. Next week? Isn’t the team headed to the West Coast?”

“Bingo!” Bristol declared.

I was totally lost, so I kept my mouth shut, electing to remain a silent observer of their exchange.

Tessa placed a hand over her mouth to stifle a round of giggles. “He’s gonna be so pissed.”

Bristol rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well. Not my problem. He better learn to suck it up because nothing is keeping me off that plane.”

Dakota leaned over to clue me in. “Bristol’s deathly afraid of flying. Like, she literally thinks she’s gonna die every time she gets on a plane.”

My brows drew down. If she was scared of flying, I had several questions. One, why would she choose a job that required constant air travel, and two, why was she pushing to go on a trip if she’d rather not fly in the first place?

My confusion must have been written across my face because Dakota decided to spell it out for me. “She’s afraid that if Maddox gets on a plane without her, he’ll die. She’d rather they go down together.” She shot a disapproving glare at her best friend. “It’s fucked up if you ask me, but everyone has their issues.”

“Didn’t ask you,” Bristol shot back from across the table.

Tilting my head to the side, I assessed the pregnant woman. “I didn’t realize you could still fly at this point.”

A mischievous gleam sparkled in her bright blue eyes. “Normally, you can’t. The commercial cutoff is thirty-six weeks, which I’ll be past on the back end of our trip—we’ll be gone eleven days. But it just so happens our flights are privately chartered. No matter how hard he tries, he’s not gonna win this one. I’m going.”

Not gonna lie; I was impressed. Bristol might be young and have a visibly possessive husband, but she wasn’t afraid to stand up for herself. She wasn’t at all concerned that in doing so, she might become the subject of physical abuse.

I’d painted Maddox with the asshole brush after our first encounter. I mean, I was well within my rights to do so with how he’d treated me like some two-bit gold digger, only after Sasha for his money. But he was clearly protective, and it said a lot about the man that his wife felt safe enough to debate a topic without repercussions. More than that, she believed she might emerge victorious. It spoke of a true partnership, and I found myself liking him just the tiniest bit.

A tray was placed on the edge of the table, and I glanced up to find my super sweet hunk passing out glasses to the ladies. Bristol grumbled a bit, accepting her virgin margarita, but thanked Sasha for the gesture.

His brow furrowed when he went to hand me my drink and saw I already had a fresh one sitting before me.

Maddox , I mouthed.

Surprise flickered over Sasha’s features, and his eyes shifted toward the end of the table where the man in question sat, and he lifted his chin in acknowledgment, something passing between the two of them.

Returning his attention to me, he flashed those perfectly straight teeth. “Guess you get an extra, then.”

He abandoned the tray as he walked away, leaving it for a member of the wait staff to grab later. I expected him to take a seat with the guys, but instead, he jogged up the few steps that put him on stage.

The ladies around me let out a cheer moments before the rest of the crowd joined them, the noise almost as deafening as that of the arena earlier.

“What’s going on?” I asked, even though the answer was obvious.

“Your man is a fan favorite, both on and off the ice,” Dakota shouted in response as music blasted from whatever song he’d chosen.

Tossing me a wink from on stage, Sasha ran a hand through his long blond hair, causing his bicep to ripple, and several catcalls sounded. My head whipped around to find the source, but Bristol grabbed my hand from across the table, drawing my attention to her.

“Let ’em look. He’s going home with you tonight.”

She was right about that, and I could appreciate that it was impossible not to stare at the panty-melting specimen on stage. Jeans molded over muscular thighs. A tight, white T-shirt showcased every hard ridge of his torso and fit snug against his biceps. And that sleeve of tattoos? Fuck if I didn’t want to trace every line with my tongue before venturing to the parts hidden from view.

Then he opened his mouth, and I about damn near burst into flames.

His voice was sexy on a good day, but when he sang? Jesus, I wasn’t gonna make it out of this bar on my own power. He was going to have to carry me out of here because I was weak in the knees, and I wasn’t even standing.

A smirk crept onto my face, knowing that all the other women ogling my boyfriend had no clue how insanely talented he was between the sheets. At this rate, it would be a miracle if I didn’t jump his bones before we made it home. And we all knew how well that had worked out the last time my horny brain won out over common sense.

Panting, I shucked my leather jacket, close to overheating.

When four sets of eyes landed on me with identical knowing looks, I waved them off, trying to play it cool. “What? It’s warm in here.”

I could tell they weren’t buying it as they bit back smiles, but I ignored them, focusing on the erotic show Sasha was putting on. When he licked his lips during a guitar solo, eyeing the swells of my breasts rising and falling rapidly with my ragged breathing, I couldn’t take it anymore. I was gonna pass out if I watched on any longer.

Standing suddenly, I cupped a hand beside my mouth to be heard, shouting to the ladies, “I need to use the restroom.”

Before any of them could offer to join me, I bolted for the back hallway, where a neon sign indicated the direction of my destination.

Pushing through the swinging door, I offered a tight smile to the woman washing her hands before stepping into a stall and sealing myself inside.

I flipped the lid down on the toilet before sitting, dropping my head between my knees.

Deep breaths. Yes, you’re dating the hottest man in the room, but you can’t rub up against him like a cat in heat until you get home. Pull yourself together.

Still flushed, I decided maybe a cool compress to the back of my neck might help calm me down enough to rejoin the group.

Unlocking the stall door, I pulled it open and gasped.

Propped against the wall of sinks, with his legs crossed at the ankle, was Sasha in all his sexy, sweaty glory.

Pressing a palm to my racing heart, I breathed out, “Wh-what are you doing in here? This is the ladies’ room.”

His blazing blue eyes scanned my form from head to toe, and he gripped the edge of the counter with a groan.

“Sasha?” My throat grew tight, the air in the room becoming so thick that I was almost afraid to breathe lest it suffocate me.

Instead of speaking, he lifted one hand, crooking a finger. As if pulled by a string, I floated toward him, my feet moving without conscious thought until I was close enough that he could reach out, anchoring one hand on my hip, the other cradling the back of my neck as he brought our bodies flush.

I couldn’t stop the moan that fell from my lips when I felt his cock press against my belly. The hard ridge only served as a reminder of how much I’d wanted him before I came in here to try and talk my libido down.

Husky words were said in my ear. “Did you think you were gonna get away with eye fucking me in a crowded room full of my friends and faceless strangers?”

My fingers dug into his shoulders to remain upright.

His dark chuckle told me he knew exactly how he affected me.

“You made me hard in front of all those people, baby, taking off your jacket and putting these tits on display.” He slid the hand from my hip over my waist until he had one spandex-covered breast cradled in his palm. When he brushed a thumb over the distended nipple, my head dropped back, and if he hadn’t had a firm grip on me, I might’ve slumped to the floor.

Holding me steady, he nipped the bud through the fabric before sucking it deep into his mouth. Automatically, my fingers threaded through the loose strands of his hair, clutching him to me, silently demanding more.

“I’m not gonna make it until we get home,” he confessed as he lifted his head.

I was already reaching for the hem of his T-shirt, pushing it over his abs. “Me neither.” He lifted his arms, allowing me to remove the garment.

After unbuttoning the fly of my jeans, I dragged them down until they reached my ankles, and I discarded them along with my kicked-off boots.

A normal person would ask if the door was locked, but I was too far gone to care. Lust was in the driver’s seat now, and I was simply a passenger, along for the ride.

Sasha’s eyes flared when he caught sight of me, clad only in the form-fitting bodysuit that did wonders for cinching my waist, giving me a more pronounced hourglass figure. That’s when I realized he’d been watching my strip show while making no moves to remove any more of his clothing.

I snapped my fingers, commanding, “Cock out. Now.”

He jolted into action, hands going to work on his zipper. “Yes, ma’am.” Reaching into his boxers, he freed his cock, and I lunged for it, only to have him step back.

My whine sounded as he stroked his length mesmerizingly slow.

“Do you want me to beg? Drop to my knees? Tell me what you want, Sasha.” Desperation crept into my breathy voice.

“Tell me you’re mine.” His tone was sharp, demanding. It should’ve made me bristle after my history of controlling men, but instead, it made me even wetter, the throbbing between my thighs reaching a new height.

“I’m yours,” I whispered.

“Louder!” he barked, tugging on his cock faster, and I feared if I didn’t obey, he’d get himself off, and I’d be left unsatisfied.

“Yours!” I screamed, my heart threatening to escape from my chest. “Only yours.”

“Right answer,” Sasha gritted out before lunging, spinning me around to face the wall-mounted mirror.

One massive palm came to rest across my throat in a claiming gesture. “No one will ever love you like I do, Gemma. Do you understand me?”

Swallowing, I managed a slight nod.

“Words, baby. I need to hear ’em.” I could feel his restraint slipping, and I wanted nothing more than to unleash the beast he kept caged. When it broke free, the sex was next-level, and I more than needed that with how worked up I was tonight.

With a shaky hand, I reached between my legs, flicking the snap at the crotch of my bodysuit and pressing my bare ass against his hard shaft.

Sasha’s fingers tightened around my neck, his free hand dragging through my slit, making my back arch and my hips buck, seeking more contact where I needed him most. “Say it, Kitten. Because the minute you do, I’m gonna fuck you so hard that when I’m done, your sweet pussy will be weeping every minute my cock isn’t filling it. For days, you’ll be clenching around nothing at the memory of tonight, desperate, needing another hit.”

How did he expect me to form words after that ?

Whimpering, I managed a barely audible, “Give me your love.”

“You already have it, sweetheart.” His hand fell away from my throat, and I slumped forward, thankful for the counter hitting me at the waist. Kicking my legs wide, he warned, “Hold on, this is gonna be rough.”

Fuck yes.

With a single roll of his hips, he thrust inside, and I cried out so loud there was no doubt anyone passing through the hallway would have heard it. The stretch was intense, but Sasha didn’t give me a single second to adjust, pulling his hips back and shoving forward again.

A sob tore up my throat, and pleasure surged through my veins, chasing the peak of it becoming my sole focus. Not that I could do much more than grit my teeth and hold on in this position, bent over the sink, the unyielding countertop biting into my hips as the padding of my ass did very little to cushion each jarring blow as Sasha pistoned into me from behind.

Each thrust grew more punishing than the last, my toes rising off the ground with the force of impact.

I yelped when my scalp screamed in pain, only to realize that Sasha had twisted my braid around his fist, yanking my head up so I could view us fucking in the reflection of the mirror.

Jesus fucking Christ.

The man looked like a god behind me, the sharp ridges of his torso rippling in time with the sound of slapping skin. His jaw hung slack, his eyes trained on the spot where our bodies merged, his thick cock pummeling my pussy.

Pinned the way I was, my range of motion was limited, but I was desperate to come. I was right on the edge. I just needed a little shove. So, I did the only thing I could and clenched my inner walls with all my might.

My eyes widened when his sharp gaze found mine in the mirror. With his jaw clenched, he gritted out, “Need to get deeper.”

“Good luck,” I panted. The idea was laughable. I could literally feel him ramming my cervix.

“Don’t need it.”

Before I could ask what he meant, one forearm hooked beneath my knee, propping it onto the counter and spreading me wide. Sasha shifted his stance behind me to accommodate the new position.

If I thought I was being noisy before, the primal scream I let out when he forced his cock in as deep as it could go was so shrill, it was a wonder someone wasn’t beating down the door asking if someone was killing me in here.

“That’s it, right there,” Sasha grunted, upping his pace. “Now everyone out there will know exactly who you belong to.”

My hands were pressed to the mirror, desperately trying to keep my head from cracking the reflective glass.

“Please,” I begged, out of my mind with pleasure.

“You ready to come?” He punctuated the question with a deep grind of his hips, rubbing against my clit in the process, and I moaned.

“God, yes. More.”

Breath hot in my ear, he met my eyes in the mirror. “Since I’m such a nice guy , I’m gonna give you a hand, baby.”

There wasn’t time to wonder if he’d ever let me forget those words from our first date because his free hand wedged between where my hips were pressed flush against the sink, and two fingers worked firm circles over my needy clit.

“Fuck!” I screamed at the top of my lungs. “Don’t stop!”

He pounded into me from behind as his fingers worked furiously, the combination overwhelming, causing that tight string to snap; heat flooded outward from my core, and blinding light burst behind my eyes as I shattered.

Even as my body grew limp, Sasha continued to use me for his pleasure. Mind fuzzy, I was only vaguely aware of his own sounds of release until I felt the heat of it hitting the flesh of my backside.

Letting the horny bitch take over had gotten me into trouble again. Just a different type this time.

Swallowing, I lifted my heavy head to peek over my shoulder. Sure enough, there was cum coating the globes of my ass.

A shaky sigh flew past my lips, my voice hoarse from screaming. “We’re playing with fire,” I chastised with a pointed look at his bare cock.

He still held the softening length in his hands but offered me a shrug. “What’s life without a little danger?”

Said the man who’s never had to stare real danger in the face before.

“I should probably get on birth control if you’re going to forget to wear a condom more often than not.”

The cracking sound made me jolt in surprise before the flash of fire across one cheek registered, my gasp a delayed response to his hand smacking down on my ass, only to come away sticky with cum.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” Sasha’s voice took on a deeper quality that made me shiver.

Dropping my forehead to the cool countertop, I sighed. “Sasha.”

Water rushed from the faucet nearest me, and the mess left behind from our quickie was wiped away with a dampened paper towel.

Looping his arms around my waist, Sasha eased me upright before turning me around. I pressed my forehead to his chest, unable to look at him as I made my position on a future family clear.

“I know it’s something you want, but kids are off the table for me.” I let out a shaky exhale, admitting the biggest reason why. “I can’t risk it. It’s a struggle to survive for girls in my world.”

Gentle fingers teased beneath my chin, tilting my face upward. “Then it’s a good thing we’re not in your world. We’re in mine. No daughter of ours will ever have to face what you did growing up.”

He still didn’t get it.

I shoved off his chest, stepping out of his arms and across the small bathroom, hugging my waist, not caring that I was half naked.

“A boy’s just as bad.”

“How?” Sasha eyed me quizzically. “I thought—”

“Because they don’t have an heir yet, Sasha!” I yelled, my body trembling with a mix of fear and frustration over a situation I couldn’t change. “Matteo has only girls and a dead wife. Gio’s childless, chasing a wife who hated our life so much she ran. My brother isn’t even married. If we had a boy, they would be the rightful heir, a Bellini by blood if not by name.”

Cautiously, he stepped closer, offering the comfort of his arms, and I was drawn to him like a magnet, rushing into his embrace. Sasha stroked over my hair, whispering, “Right here, right now, you’re safe. I’ve got you.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to retort that I’d never be safe, but I was so tired of fighting a life I’d left behind that would never leave me. So, I let Sasha hold me and make promises he couldn’t keep about my safety and our future.

Sasha sent me out of the bathroom first, after we both redressed. I thought I’d done a good job of putting myself back together until I approached our table, and Dakota scanned me from head to toe, grinning before she remarked, “Well, damn, if you don’t look freshly fucked. We’d have come looking for you when you disappeared for so long, but we didn’t want to interrupt your initiation.”

A hand flew to my flaming face, and I protested a little too loudly, “What? No! It’s not what you think.”

Evie waved me off. “No need to be embarrassed. It’s like a rite of passage for a Speed WAG. We’ve all done it.” She gestured to the other ladies present. “Right, ladies?”

My mouth dropped open, still reeling from how freely these women were discussing having sex in a public place, when Bristol shrieked, “What?!”

We all turned to our pregnant companion, whose blue eyes had narrowed in accusation.

Bristol’s arm shot out, finger pointed toward the hallway where the bathrooms were located. “All of you? This is a thing?”

Uh oh. I got the feeling Bristol had been left out of this particular “ritual,” and she was none too pleased about it.

Evie shrugged. “Not recently, no. But definitely when Jenner and I were in our early twenties.”

Dakota chimed in. “Yeah, I did it back when I first followed Braxton to Indy before you moved out here.”

Bristol’s sharp gaze honed in on Tessa next. “You too?”

Tessa folded her lips in, trying to hide a smile before confessing, “Can’t be entirely sure, but there’s a chance Bailey was conceived in that bathroom.”

“I cannot believe this!” Bristol grew more agitated by the minute, her pale skin flushing pink.

The rest of us watched on as something played out behind her eyes.

Finally, she yelled, “Maddox!”

The man seated at the end of the long table jumped to his feet at the sound of his wife’s distress. His eyes were wild with panic as he assessed her. “What is it? Is it the baby?”

He’d barely made it half a step before Bristol sweetened her voice, pulling a complete one-eighty. “You wanna fuck me in the bathroom?”

“Jesus Christ.” Maddox visibly sagged in relief, dropping onto his chair.

Jenner clapped him on the shoulder with a knowing smirk. “Pregnancy hormones, am I right?”

Bristol was either oblivious to the fact that she’d nearly given her husband a heart attack, or she didn’t care. “Is that a yes?”

Shaking his head, Maddox muttered, “What did I do in a past life to deserve this out-of-control woman?”

Pouting, Bristol whined, “But everyone else has done it.”

While I might still be working on warming up to the guy, I had to admit I felt the tiniest bit of sympathy for him as he tried to work himself out of an impossible situation. From what I could tell, nothing short of taking his wife into the bathroom would satisfy her.

“Would it make you feel any better if I told you I had to talk myself out of taking you into the bathroom and making you scream the night we met?”

“No,” she huffed in response. “How does that help me now?”

Dakota leaned over the table to comment, “Not like he can nail you to the wall these days with that watermelon you’re smuggling under your shirt in the way.”

Or bend her over the sink , but I kept that thought to myself, not wanting to make the situation worse.

Bristol whipped her head around to glare at her best friend. “Nobody asked you, traitor.”

Placing a hand to her chest, Dakota gasped in indignation. “How am I a traitor?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” Bristol’s voice took on a sarcastic edge. “I remember someone telling me they wanted to do this ”—she gestured a hand above her rounded stomach—“together, and then chickening out when it got too real.”

My eyes volleyed between the two women having a showdown. Was Bristol implying they had some kind of pregnancy pact? What was it with these people and babies?

“Maddox!” Dakota shouted over the music. “Your pregnant wife is getting cranky. Might be time to take her home.”

Evie stretched her torso over the back of Dakota’s seat to say to me, “I wasn’t the nicest toward the end, either. Especially once sex was taken off the table.”

I didn’t remember asking for the overshare, but I gave a polite smile and nod.

Sasha chose that moment to return from the bathroom, a bright smile on his face, oblivious to the tension settled over the group. “Who needs more drinks?”

Maddox stood, declaring, “We’re out.” Stepping toward his wife, he offered her a hand to use as leverage, helping her out of her seat.

Brows drawn down in confusion, Sasha asked, “What did I miss?”

Braxton snickered. “Oh, nothing, buddy. Just your little bathroom sexcapade throwing a grenade into Maddox’s marriage.”

“How?”

Sasha’s dark-haired teammate couldn’t contain his glee. “Guess Maddox never sealed the deal.”

My eyes found Dakota’s. “I’m sorry if what we did caused any trouble between you and your friend.”

“Eh.” Dakota lifted a shoulder. “After a good night’s sleep, she’ll be calling my phone at the ass-crack of dawn to apologize and blame the baby for taking over her brain. Maddox, on the other hand, won’t be let off the hook that easily.” Her smirk matched that of her husband. “She’s learning the hard way that marrying the guy pushing forty means she missed out on his reckless days. Sure, they still have their fun, but it’s not the same, ya know?”

I nodded in a daze, pretending like I did know when I most certainly did not.

“You, on the other hand . . .”

“Me?” My eyes widened.

“The reverse age gap you’ve got going on with Goose? That’s the way to do it.”

Tessa braced her elbows on the table. “Speaking of which. We were hoping you could settle a bet for us.”

Scanning the ladies, I found them all leaning forward, interest alight in their eyes.

Squirming in my seat, I swallowed. “Uh, sure?”

“Maybe it’s not so much a bet,” Tessa clarified. “But we can’t help but be curious either way.”

“Okay . . .” I hedged, not sure where this was headed.

“What she’s trying to say,” Dakota interjected, “is that we’ve always wondered how Goose’s energy level translates to the bedroom.”

“Excuse me?” I wasn’t sure I’d heard her correctly. Though I should have known better by now after the earlier conversation.

“Can he go all night? Like, does he ever run out of batteries?” Evie was blunt while the other two had tiptoed around the question.

“The answer is yes!” came a shout from the other end of the table.

Peals of laughter came from the ladies as I buried my face in my hands, letting out a muffled, “Oh my God.”

There wasn’t enough alcohol in this bar to get me through this night.