Sporting (Unleashed Romance #3) - Kylie Gilmore Page 0,17

I’ve ever reacted to like this. “Is there a problem, officer?”

He leans in. “I might have to arrest you for disorderly conduct.”

I offer him my wrists. “If you must.”

He holds my wrists manacled in one hand in a firm grip. My pulse races, a shock of sensation rippling up my arms. “Tempting.”

My breath hitches as I imagine the intimacy of being cuffed by Eli. Naked. What would it feel like, the weight of his big body, the heat of his skin. What would he taste like?

He trails a warm finger lightly over the inside of my wrist before releasing his hold. One corner of his mouth lifts. Could he feel my pulse pounding through the delicate skin there?

He inclines his head at Sydney and Audrey. “Ladies, as you were.”

He swaggers back to the other end of the bar, taking his seat with Drew.

Someone snaps their fingers in front of my face. I turn to Sydney, belatedly realizing my misstep. I was so happy to see him that I forgot to act cool and casual. “Yes?”

“Hello! What the hell was that?”

My gut does a slow roll. I face front, trying for a neutral expression as I take a sip of martini. “Nothing.”

“That wasn’t nothing,” she snaps. “You were coming on to Eli.”

“I wasn’t.” I feel myself flush. “We were just joking around.”

Audrey pipes up. “I’d say he was coming on to her. She can’t help it if he flirts with her. You don’t want her to be rude to him, do you?”

I appreciate Audrey’s support, but I’m not sure that’s any better. Sydney looks angry.

“Did something happen?” Sydney asks.

“No, nothing. We’re friends.”

Audrey looks between us anxiously. She’s the peacemaker of our little group.

Sydney eyes me. “Then what’s he doing here on ladies’ night?”

I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans. It’s true we don’t usually see him here on ladies’ night unless he’s stopping by for a quick pop-in on his shift as a cop. “I don’t know. It’s his family’s restaurant. Isn’t he here regularly?”

“Yeah, on Saturdays twice a month to play guitar,” she says drily. “Do me a favor and don’t encourage him. I don’t want him to get hurt.”

“Got it,” I manage over the tightness in my throat. It pains me that Sydney sees me as the villain in this. I’m not a terrible person. I down the rest of my martini, my heart aching, my body going numb.

My gaze wanders back to Eli. He winks. My face flushes with heat, and for the first time I ask myself a question that makes me queasy and excited at the same time—

What would happen if I took a huge leap of faith and followed my heart?

But then that possibility vanishes as Sydney’s stool scrapes the floor in her rush to get out of her seat. “I need to have a talk with Eli.”

Eli

My sister approaches with a grim look of determination in her eyes. She grabs a chair from a nearby table and plops herself down at our small table, putting herself squarely between me and Drew, but it’s me she’s focused on. “Don’t get involved with Jenna.”

Drew’s head swivels toward her in surprise and then turns back to the game. He doesn’t want to get in the middle of our sister going mama bear in one of her overprotective gestures. She’s only like this with me and Caleb because we’re younger than she is. She means well, which is the only reason I tolerate it.

“Syd, it’s none of your business,” I say.

“It is my business when it comes to you. She’s only going to break your heart. And I say that as her best friend. You don’t know her like I do. She’s great at friendship, terrible at relationships.”

I let out a breath, reaching for patience. Sydney did a lot for me as a kid, but I’m not a kid anymore. “Since Mom died, you’ve looked out for me, and I appreciate that.”

She smiles and gives my arm a squeeze. “Of course. That’s what family’s for.”

I gesture toward Drew, the oldest in our family. “Just like Drew looked out for you when we were kids. But we’re all adults now.”

“I know that,” she says. “Doesn’t mean I don’t look out for you and Caleb.”

“Drew, did you get involved in Sydney’s love life in her best interest?”

He grimaces. “No.”

I lift a palm. “See?”

“That’s different,” Sydney says. “Drew didn’t know any of the guys I dated well enough to warn me off. I’m telling you, Jenna is not for you.”

“You