Playing Hard to Get(40)

“You have fun at the game?” He readjusts himself, stretching his legs out beneath the table, his foot—surprise, surprise—nudging against mine.

Nodding, I glance over at him to find he’s watching me, his eyes full of curiosity and something else.

Wait, is that…hunger?

No way.

“It was a lot of fun,” I admit. “Thank you again for the tickets.”

“Glad you enjoyed yourself.” His elbow bumps against mine as he reaches for his mug. “You sure you don’t want any beer?”

“Natalie is bringing me back a drink.”

“Right. With Derek.” He nods, his gaze on the bar in the center of the room. “He’s not the commitment type.”

“Neither is Natalie.”

“They’ll make a great pair then.”

“He didn’t take the celibacy vow?”

“I’m the only idiot who did that.” His expression turns sheepish.

“Regret it yet?” I casually bump my shoulder against his, surprised by the cascade of tingles that scatter across my shoulder and down my arm from the contact.

His gaze holds mine steadily. “You don’t even know how much.”

From the look on his face, I can tell. I need to change the subject.

“You didn’t tell your roommate I’m your tutor?”

“Oh, I did.” He drops his gaze to the table. “I just don’t want it getting out.”

“Ah.” I nod, hoping he’s not trying to hide me. Though why should I care? I’m not important to Knox Maguire.

Just like he’s not that important to me.

“Time to drink up!” Derek reappears, carrying multiple plastic glasses that are filled to the very top. He sets them on the table all at once, some of the liquid spilling, and he slides one toward me. “Here ya go, Jo.”

“Thank you.” I gratefully take the alcohol, sipping from it, wincing at the overwhelming taste of vodka. How does Natalie find all of these bartenders who pour so much liquor into the drinks? “Wow, that’s strong.”

Derek grins. “Better watch it.”

Knox shifts, his expression grim as he watches our exchange.

“Hey.” Natalie reaches for a drink, lifting it up in the air before she tilts her head back and drains half of the glass. “We’re going to sit at the other table. There’s no room here, it’s so crowded.”

I send her a look, one that says don’t ditch me, but she either doesn’t get what I’m trying to tell her or she chooses to ignore it.

I’m going with the latter assessment.

She leaves with Derek, settling into the table that’s to our left. I glance over my shoulder at the other table to see Blair sitting with a bunch of guys and one other girl, downing beer like it’s water. Chewing on my lower lip, I turn back to find Knox watching his sister as well.

“Hey Fields,” he calls, his gaze never straying from Blair.

Cam stops talking to the fangirls midsentence, turning to Knox. “What’s up?”

“Go check on Blair for me real quick, would ya?”

Cam frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“Make sure the guys know she’s off-limits.”

Rolling his eyes, he smiles apologetically at the girls, who are still trying to talk to him. “Duty calls, ladies. I need to attend to Lord Maguire’s needs.”

Knox chuckles. “Fuck off, Duke of Camden.”

Cam slips out of the booth, the women stepping back to allow him room, then he inserts himself into the booth next to us, sitting right next to Blair, glowering at all the guys at the table.

“Why didn’t you go over there and tell them to leave her alone?” I ask Knox, once the fangirls leave.

“Blair would get all pissy at me and say I’m trying to ruin her good time. Which I am, by the way.”

“And she won’t get mad at Cam?”

“No, she never gets mad at Cam. They don’t know each other that well, and he’s the perfect decoy. He sits there and scowls at everyone and they leave her alone. He’s done it for me before, right after she first arrived on campus.” Knox polishes off his beer, setting the mug onto the table with a loud clank.

I sip from my drink, the alcohol coursing through my bloodstream, warming me up. “She doesn’t realize he’s only doing this for you?”

“If she does, she hasn’t said anything to me about it.” He shrugs, reaching out to trace his finger in the condensation that’s formed on the almost empty beer mug. He strokes the glass up and down, back and forth, and I imagine him using that exact finger on my skin.

In a particular place.

A shiver steals through me at the thought.

“Cold?” He sends me a look, like he knows what he’s doing.

“Not really.” I bump into him gently. “You’re like a furnace.”

“I run hot.” He swirls his finger in tight little circles.

Good lord. Now I’m the one running hot.

“Knox! Ohmygod, you played the BEST game!”

We both startle at the loud feminine voice, our heads swinging up in tandem to find a tall, buxom blonde standing in front of the table, her voluptuous figure on perfect display in tight jeans and a white cropped top. She’s beautiful.