Outmatched

Of course he’d notice; she was beautiful inside and out.

I was proud Zoe was my friend.

I just wanted Rhys’s attention for myself while we were in our Honeymoon phase.

And it irritated me that I could be so insecure and possessive.

Rhys’s expression was pleasant enough greeting my friend, but there wasn’t any hint of discernible interest beyond that.

Unlike Dean and Carlos, who both stepped forward at the same time to shake Zoe’s hand.

Dean glared at Carlos and nudged him out of the way. “I’m the brother.”

My friend took Dean’s proffered hand. “I’m the roommate.”

“And I’m Carlos.” He pressed a palm to Dean’s chest and shoved him back like he was a little kid. “Zoe, bonita, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Thanks for helping my boy out with this event.”

Eyes dancing under the flirtatious bedroom eyes of Carlos, Zoe shook his hand. “Well, it’s mutually beneficial.”

Carlos grinned, his dangerous dimples popping in each cheek. “Well, if mutual benefits are something you’re interested in, you and I should definitely talk some more.”

My friend laughed and withdrew her hand. “Oh, I’m not really into sharing benefits with someone whose pool of sexual companions is probably so big, it qualifies as a population.”

I tried to contain my snort at Carlos’s baffled expression. Clearly, he was used to women falling at the first sight of those dimples.

“Let’s get back on track.” Rhys squeezed my shoulder as he turned to Fiona. “Tell them about the ticket sales.”

Fiona beamed at us all. “We’ve sold out.”

Whoops filled the room and soon, failed flirtations went out the window as we discussed what had been done and what still needed to be done to make the event a success.

About an hour later, Fiona departed and Zoe sighed as the door closed on her. “I need to get back too.” She gestured to me. “You coming, or going?”

I shook my head. I was on the desk facing Rhys, who was sitting in his chair, his fingers chasing the goosebumps created as he caressed the back of my left calf.

She grinned knowingly. “Right. I’ll see you later, then.” Her gaze moved between me and Rhys. “Also, not that it matters, but I approve.”

I heard Rhys grunt as I beamed at my best friend.

It did matter to me what she thought of Rhys. Not enough I’d stop dating him, but still, I was glad she could see how happy he made me.

“I’ll walk you out,” Carlos offered.

“Oh, you don’t—”

“It’s my pleasure.” He opened the door and gestured for her to walk ahead.

As soon as the door closed behind them, I turned to Rhys. “You might want to tell him he’s got no chance. Zoe can spot a player a mile away and she has no interest in them.” I glanced over my shoulder at Dean. “That goes for you too.”

“No worries.” Dean curled his lip in thought. “She’s gorgeous but I like my women commitment-phobic. Shame. I would not tire of looking at her.”

“She’s more than a pretty face, you know.”

“Yeah, her ass and legs are fucking fantastic too.” Dean laughed at my grimace and stood. “I’m kidding, Parker. Guess I better leave you lovebirds alone. But you”—he pointed at his brother—“got training this afternoon.”

I felt Rhys’s hand slide farther up my leg. “I’ll get my workout in, don’t you worry.”

Shivering at the promise in his voice, I couldn’t even laugh at Dean’s disgusted expression. “I understand innuendo, fuckface.”

Rhys chuckled. “You leaving or what?”

“I got shit to do, so yeah.”

“I hope that shit has something to do with finding a decent job.”

“Hey, who is the smartest person in this room?”

“Parker.”

I laughed as Dean rolled his eyes. “I meant out of us two.”

But Rhys wasn’t laughing. “I mean it, Dean. Time to get serious.”

“I already told you I am.” He left before Rhys could say another word.

I frowned. “You’re still worried about him?”

“I’ll keep worrying about him until he nails down a good job and starts to settle. Now, can we stop talking about my little brother and go up to the loft?”

Before I could answer, he placed his hands under my ass and lifted me up so I had no choice but to wrap myself around him like a monkey.

“That was a rhetorical question.” His lids lowered over his eyes as he stared at my mouth. “If I don’t get inside you in the next five minutes, I’m gonna lose my mind.”

I would’ve chided him for such melodrama if his phone hadn’t vibrated on the desk.

He glanced over my shoulder and scowled.

“What is it?” I twisted to have a look down at his phone screen. “Who is Colonel Dipshit?”

“Fairchild.”

I snorted and grinned at him. “Colorful.”

Rhys didn’t laugh. “It’s the third time he’s called since yesterday.”

“He’s heard about the fight,” I surmised, feeling a trickle of trepidation run through me. “Answer it. Just get it over with.”