Page 36 of The Game Plan

Then Dex starts to sing. And I swear my jaw hits the table. Gray’s and Ivy’s do too.

“Holy shit,” Gray says before he leaps to his feet, his fists punching in the air with a loudwhoop.“Dex!” he shouts, jumping up and down as the music thrums.

Because Ethan Dexter is bringing the house down, singing the song like he fucking owns it.

His deep, raw voice rolls over me, and my nipples go so tight they hurt. I get on top of my chair and holler my approval,dancing along to the music, singing the refrain with the rest of the crowd.

As for Dex? He holds the mic with two hands, his eyes closed, his thick thighs parted. One leg bounces in time to the beat.Tatted and bearded, muscles flexing, he’s so damn hot, the women in the crowd scream for him.

He doesn’t seem to notice.

Then his eyes snap open, and he zeroes in on me. That smug bastard grins as he belts out the lyrics, telling us all it’s justa matter of time before we steal his gold, but that’s all right by him. I know he’s talking to me. Offering me all of him.

I grin back, my body swaying, my hips snapping. I’ve been to countless parties, clubs and concerts. I’ve had boyfriends andone-night stands. I’ve grown up around fame. And it isn’t until now that I truly realize how bored I’ve been, going throughthe motions. Maybe that’s how life is; you kind of just plod along, fall into a nice little rut until something comes alongto shake things up.

Dex doesn’t bore me. Not even close. Life is never a slogging road when he’s around.

He ends the song with a sweeping bow, tosses the mic to the operator, then hops down, headed straight for me.

Sweat gleams on his brow, plasters his shirt to his chest.People slap his shoulders and back, try to give him high fives, including Gray, who is beside himself with glee.

Dex doesn’t slow, doesn’t break his stare.

Every cell in my body seems to zing, making me twitchy with want and joy.

When he’s a couple of steps away, I launch myself at him, and he catches me. My legs wrap around his waist as I cling to him,find his mouth and take it.

Cupping my ass, he holds me tight against him as his tongue slides deep. We’re both breathless when we part.

“I knew you were playing me,” I say against his mouth.

He laughs, low and unrepentant. “I never said I sucked, just that I didn’t like the attention. Told you I wouldn’t fight fair,Cherry.”

I nip his lower lip. “Take me home, and let’s get to popping yours, Big Guy.”

He stills, and I lean back to look up at him. “That was awful, wasn’t it?”

Dex shakes himself as if waking up. His grip on me tightens. “Not sure. Is that a yes to my question?”

My fingers thread through his hair, still knotted at the back of his head. “I won’t lie to you either, Ethan. Despite my...er... outspoken ways, I don’t actually like being in the public eye. I had too much of that growing up.”

His gaze is steady on mine. “I won’t put you in the public eye, Fi. Ever.”

I nod, because I know he’ll protect me. That’s his nature. Unfortunately, I know my nature too. “And I don’t know if I’llbe satisfied with a long-distance relationship.”

He opens his mouth to talk. I kiss it, quieting him before speaking again. “But I’ll try, Ethan. For you.”

His response is to walk us straight out of the club.

Thirteen

Dex

Despite wanting to leave the club as fast as humanly possible and find a bed where I can take my time with Fi, we drive homewith Gray and Ivy, sitting in the back seat of Ivy’s cavernous SUV.

Gray is a bundle of effusive energy. “Dude, you were like a rock star up there,” he shouts over his shoulder as he drives,making Ivy wince.

“Inside voice, Cupcake.”