Free Fierce: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 4) by Violet Vaughn

looks down at himself. “Oh, be right back.”
    I snitch a strawberry, and the juice of it is sweet on my tongue as I chuckle to myself. Nobody’s ever had to help me with fashion choices. With that thought, I find my keys, driver’s license, and phone to put in my fleece pocket. The jingle of metal reminds me I need to make a house key for Christian tomorrow.
    He comes back down in a pair of worn sneakers and a nondescript leather belt. The hint of aftershave wafts toward me, and I can’t resist teasing him about his freshly shaved face. “Much better. If only you had a day’s worth of stubble going, you’d be making reeling them in like fish.”
    He takes the fruit tray from my hands. “Huh. Seems to me I managed to reel one in just the way I am.”
    Cocky much? “ If you’re referring to me, you’re out of luck. I’m dating someone.” I pull open the garage door with a grin and say to the dogs. “Stay.”
    A flicker of something that makes me think he’s angry passes through his eyes, but he recovers quickly with a taunt. “But I’m the one you’ll come home with.” He slips past me.
    I recall my earlier conversation with Lori and banter right back. “Maybe.”
    I’m disappointed I can’t see his reaction because he’s in front of me. But I think I may have hit home when he stops at the side of my Land Rover and asks, “Should we take two cars?”
    I’m probably going too far, but I answer in the same matter-of-fact tone he used. “No, Kelly lives at the house we’re going to. If I decide to stay, you can drive yourself back in mine.”
    He nods with a tight mouth. Yup, he’s not happy, and I shouldn’t feel such satisfaction. But I do because now he knows the rejection I felt when he wouldn’t kiss me. Payback’s a bitch, Christian.

Chapter 14

    Thedrive over to Kelly’s house is quick, and Christian makes small talk, but he’s lost his playful mood. By the time we’re on the dirt road, I feel bad about how I acted. “There are lots of people I want to introduce you to. I’m glad you’re going to be on Peak 8. Everyone will like you.”
    “I’m not shy, Nika. But thanks.”
    We pull up in front of a large, log-cabin-style home. The wood has been left to weather naturally, and the trim is painted dark green. A big porch wraps around the house, and rocking chairs are set on it. I have to wonder if anyone sits in them but think it would be nice to have a couple on my deck.
    The bass of music vibrates through me, and my cowboy boots clomp up the wooden steps to the beat as we approach an oversized door. I know to walk right in and push it open for us. We enter into a large room with people milling around. Christian is carrying the fruit, and I lead him to the kitchen.
    A tall, lanky guy with sandy-brown hair turns to us. I say, “Jason, this is Gretchen’s brother, Christian.”
    I turn to Christian. “This is Casey’s boyfriend.”
    They nod at each other in an oddly testosterone-filled moment that makes me wonder if Christian and Casey ever had a thing. I’ll have to ask her later.
    Jason hands me a Sharpie. “Here, mark your cups. We always seem to run out, and you’ll want to hang on to it.” I take the pen, and he says, “I’ll be on the deck with Casey.”
    Christian sets the fruit down and brings me two cups. I pull the cap off, but he takes the marker from me and writes our names. What the hell? How am I supposed to do things for myself if you don’t let me? It squeaks against the red plastic.
    “Thanks. Let’s go find the keg.” We step out onto a back deck that is adorned with strings of tiny lights. It’s not quite dark, but they twinkle in the twilight. The chill in the air makes me slide my zipper up a bit and cuddle into the soft fleece against my skin.
    Heather sees us right away and comes over. “Hey, Christian, right?”
    He holds out his hand. “That’s right. And you’re Heather.” When she takes it, he captures her hand between both of his and