“Nope.”
The mutiny in her stare is too cute, all flustered and combative. A calculative look passes over her expression.
“I’ll stay here on one condition.”
“Shoot.”
Carter takes a seat across from me with a dopey grin. Devlin hangs back a few feet. He’s in Davis’ face.
“I’ll start sitting with you…if Blair is allowed to come, too.” Gemma nods to her friend, getting distracted by the sight of her friend and Devlin. “I don’t want to leave her alone.”
“Sure, whatever.” I play with Gemma’s hair. “As long as I have you here with me.”
Gemma clambers from my lap. I hook a finger in the back of her skirt before she can move away. She shoots me a flat look. Smirking at her, I crook my finger in a come hither motion.
She sighs and bends down while I wrap my arm around her thighs. I steal a quick kiss that leaves me wanting more.
“Now you may go.”
Gemma affects a faux simpering tone and bats her lashes at me. “Oh, can I? Bless, what a noble master.”
“Don’t be like that, sweetheart.”
Gemma rolls her eyes and goes to talk to Davis. Once Gemma walks up, Devlin’s expression closes off and he comes to the table, dropping beside Carter. Gemma appears to be convincing Davis, motioning toward the table with a pleading look on her face. She succeeds and the girls come over.
Gemma tries to sit next to me, but I wrestle her into my lap again.
“Back where you belong,” I rumble into her ear.
Gemma shivers and darts a glance from me to her friend. “Lucas. Goddamn you.”
Unrepentant, I kiss her cheek.
Davis takes a seat next to us with a stony expression, her shoulders stiff.
“Isn’t this cozy,” Devlin says lightly.
“Get used to it,” I say with a shrug. “We’re changing it up.”
Devlin’s eyes cut to Davis, then slide away. He and Carter get up and head for the lunch line.
“Aren’t you going to let me up?” Gemma asks.
She’s not exactly comfortable sitting in my lap. Her body hunches in on itself to make herself smaller and she’s gripping the table.
“Not a chance.” I stroke my palm down her back. “You’re right where I want you.”
“Well, I want to go buy lunch, so…”
Gemma lifts her brows. I grant her a sardonic tilt of my mouth and wave my hand. Gemma gets up and tugs on Davis’ sleeve. The girls go to the lunch line and I trail after them a few minutes later.
Back at the table Gemma tries to take her own seat again. That lasts two whole seconds before I drag her back onto my lap. She sighs in annoyance, but her body relaxes slightly. Good. She’s accepting that I’m going to get my way and she should accept it or remain uncomfortable.
“Don’t be fooled. I’m not giving in here. I just don’t want to waste the pointless energy fighting you right now.” She makes a dismissive gesture with her hand. “You’re such a caveman. People get it, grr I’m your plaything. No touchie. You don’t have to put me in your lap to get the point across. It’s not like I’m your girlfriend.”
That won’t do. I trap her against my body. Leaning in, I brush my lips against the back of her neck and get a thrill from the way she shudders.
“People have seen us do worse than this,” I breathe against her skin.