Page 226 of Faking the Goal

I glance at her and find her watching me instead of the magazine now, obviously waiting for my reaction.

"It's really fucking good, trouble."

Her entire face lights up. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." I squeeze her waist. "You did an incredible job."

The smile she gives me makes something warm spread through me, and for a few seconds, we're both so absorbed in the magazine that I forget the guys are still sitting around us until Dylan leans across the table.

"What are you two whispering about over there?"

"My Athlete Spotlight on Ken-chan." Taylor proudly turns the magazine toward them. "It came out today."

"Let me see that."

Reese takes it from her, and within seconds the magazine is being passed around while everyone starts talking over each other.

"Why the fuck does Kent look this good?"

Taylor lifts her chin. "Talent."

"His or yours?"

"Mine, obviously."

"T, do me next."

"Get in line," Cody says. "If she can make Kent look like this, imagine what she could do with someone naturally photogenic."

"Fuck you," I tell him.

Luke flips back to the opening spread and whistles. "Lucky bastard."

"Yeah." I tug my girl closer against me, lowering my face until my mouth is near her ear. "I really fucking am."

The words come out lower than I intend, and the color that immediately creeps into her cheeks makes me smile.

"Oh my God," Reese groans. "There they go again."

Cody looks over at us, then snorts when his attention lands on my mouth. "Kent, you've got her lipstick all over you."

"I know."

"At least wipe your mouth, man." He grabs a napkin and tosses it toward me.

Taylor catches it before I can.

"Absolutely not." She drops the napkin onto the table. "That's my claim mark."

Cody stares at her. "Your what?"

"My claim mark." She gestures proudly toward my mouth. "It lets everyone know this one's taken, so keep your hands to yourselves."

"Pretty sure none of us were planning on putting our hands on Kent," Liam says.

"Good. Then it's working."

The table erupts into another round of groans while I bite back a laugh. Taylor looks entirely too pleased with herself, and considering I've already told her I like wearing the evidence of her kisses, I have no intention of wiping it off.