Ignoring Zoe’s disturbing last words, I crossed the room with a small smile and went up on my tiptoes as Rhys bent down to kiss me. Everything about him—his smile, the contented expression in his eyes when he looked at me, his cologne, the feel of him under my hands—caused a score of pleasure pain across my chest. His arm moved around my waist, drawing me to his side.
“Hey.”
He grinned at me for a long moment and then looked up. “Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Oh, dammit.
I looked over at my best friend and blushed at the expression on her face.
It clearly said, “You just made my point for me.”
“Right. Rhys, this is my best friend and roommate, Zoe. Zoe, this is Rhys. You already know Fiona, of course.” I smiled at the blond grad student who had more energy than anyone had a right to. My gaze moved past her to Carlos and Dean who were both staring way too intently at my best friend. “This is Dean, Rhys’s brother, and Carlos, Rhys’s friend. He also works here.”
“Hey.” Rhys gave her a chin lift. “Nice to meet you.”
“Yes, you too. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I’m gonna go ahead and assume it was all good.”
“You do that.”
I kept my gaze on Rhys during this exchange. It took me a moment to realize I was studying his reaction to Zoe. My friend was a knockout, but I didn’t want Rhys to notice.
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