Page 147 of Faking the Goal

He really shouldn't have asked a question he wasn't going to like the answer to.

Instead of backing out, he takes another step and starts moving around me toward Taylor.

My hand comes up against the center of his chest before he gets there.

"Enough."

He stops, surprise flashing across his face.

I keep my palm against his chest and step forward, forcing him to give me the space he should've taken himself.

"If I were you, I'd back off and save yourself the disappointment."

His eyes narrow.

I don't give a shit.

"Taylor is mine."

The words come out low and certain, far too easily for something that's supposed to be a lie.

Except... that part isn't a lie.

Not to me.

The boyfriend title might be fake, but the possessiveness burning through me right now sure as fuck isn't.

Corey's nostrils flare.

I lean closer, keeping my voice low enough that this stays between us instead of turning into a fucking spectacle in the middle of the party.

"Take the hint and stay the fuck away from my woman."

For several seconds, he looks like he's deciding whether this is worth turning into a fight. His grip tightens around his beer bottle, his shoulders rigid, but eventually he takes a step back.

Good.

Because I'm not entirely sure how much restraint I'd have left if he tried getting past me again.

I return to Taylor, take her hand, and lace our fingers together before leading her away from Corey and farther into the crowded house.

We barely make it into the next room before she lets out a long breath.

"Holy shit. That was..."

"Intense?"

"I was going to say hot, but intense works too."

I snort.

"I've gotta say, Ken-chan..." She fans herself dramatically with her free hand while the other remains linked with mine. "Taylor is mine? Stay away from my woman?" She presses a hand over her heart and bats her lashes at me. "Who knew you had all that chest-beating caveman energy hiding underneath the permanent scowl?"

I shake my head, unable to stop the smile pulling at my mouth.

We nearly got into a fight less than two minutes ago, and somehow she's already turned it into a joke.

"I'm serious," she continues. "That was super sexy."