They all just stood there. Michael, Kai, Will…
“It’s one of her professors,” Alex offered. “She’s part of his research team at the college.”
“He was not touching her very professionally when he was in disguise,” Will replied sarcastically, taking a swig of his beer.
Looking back over to make sure he wasn’t talking to Winter, I watched as he leaned in to Rika, tilting his head and touching her arm as they spoke. There were things guys did that told you they were flirting.
She turned to Winter for a moment, and once her back was turned, his eyes dropped, giving Rika a long once-over and licking his lips.
Yep.
Girls didn’t always notice, because it was subtle, and we didn’t always realize we were doing it, but he was interested. And he’d copped a feel while her fiancé was standing right here, too.
Was Michael doing anything? Of course not.
And that was the same guy I saw dancing with her at her engagement party, too. I finally recognized him, because he rubbed me the wrong way then, as well.
“He’s flirting with her,” Will told Michael the same thing I already knew.
“Does he know she’s engaged?” Banks asked.
“He was at dinner at our fucking house,” Michael growled under his breath as he glared at the professor.
“Aw, don’t worry,” I said. “Rika can handle her own shit, right?”
I dug out a cigarette, lighting it, a puff of smoke filtering into the air above our heads.
“It’s kind of got me wondering, though,” I went on. “She’s got her own money, and she can take care of herself, because you don’t coddle her, so…why does she need you exactly?”
I narrowed my eyes on Michael, amused. He always made Rika solve her own problems, because he didn’t see her as a possession but rather an extension of himself.
He didn’t want a puppy. He wanted a partner.
But there comes a point when you have to defend your house and take charge. And not just in the bedroom.
Which was all she needed him for.
I grinned. “I guess she does need to be serviced from time to time, doesn’t she?”
He bared his teeth, grabbing the collar of my sweatshirt, but my feet didn’t budge from the ground.
“Oh, please, go ahead,” I dared him, holding his eyes. “It is long past due between you and me.”
He stared into my eyes, probably taking in all the people around us, the security, the cameras, and while I didn’t give a shit, he had a charmed life at risk now. A sports star, soon-to-be wife, business deals in the works…
Do it.
I actually didn’t want either him or me getting arrested for a fight tonight, but I wanted to see some kind of life from him. Some remnant of the guy who was once my friend. Someone I remember very well, wanting to go to that edge and lead us all over it.
This is what happened when you fell in love. You lost your nerve, because you didn’t want to lose what had become more important.
But instead of wimping out, he just smiled.
“You know what?” he said, releasing me. “You’re right. My imagination is nothing compared to yours. Tell me, how would you handle him?”
How would I handle him? Need me to do your dirty work for you, or was this an invitation to play?
“Come on,” Kai egged me on, smirking. “Show us what we’re missing from the good old days. You’re so fucking arrogant. You educate us.”