a moment, he just stands there, his hot breath to my neck causing goose bumps on my skin and a heavy beating in my chest.
“What?” I ask, a little breathier than I wanted.
“You know what...” he whispers slowly. “You left me in bed today.”
“I woke up. You didn’t.”
And I needed some air because my lungs were full of citrus and pine, full of Maddoc.
“Right,” he murmurs. “And yesterday, you left my bed when I told you I’d be back. That meant stay put. You didn’t.”
I curl my toes to keep myself from fidgeting. “Maybe next time say what you mean instead?”
“I’m guessing it would have made no difference.” His hand comes up and my eyes follow as he grips my hair, pulling it behind me. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re right.” I clear my throat and reach for the creamer, but he snags it before I can, so I finally spin to face him.
He smirks and makes quick work of setting the creamer bottle beside us and lifts me onto the countertop.
My eyes widen.
Okay, we’re doing this whole flirty thing. Not good since I can’t quite think straight this early ... and having six-foot-something of solid man meat in front of me isn’t helping. Even sitting here like this, I still have to tip my head back to fully look at him.
Pouty lips, high cheek bones and wild ass green eyes, emerald in color at the moment. Thick, dark lashes and darker brows.
He’s a good-looking bastard.
There’s that smirk again...
He hands me my steaming cup of coffee and lifts the plastic Coffee-mate jug, pouring it in until I tell him to stop.
He frowns at it. “Can you even call that coffee?”
“It’s my version of half and half. Half coffee, half the goods. We can’t all shoot shit straight like you, big man.”
He stares at me, so I take a drink and look off before meeting his eyes again.
“What?”
“You slept.”
When my brows pull in, he shifts closer, tipping his head back a bit.
“Without your knife, Raven. You slept, sound a-fucking-sleep, without your security.”
“I was tired.”
He smirks and steps back. “Right.”
Right. Right?
“Stop looking at me like that,” I snap when my stomach starts to feel knotted.
“Like what?”
“Like you know me. You don’t, and you shouldn’t try to.” I slide down and make my way into the living room in hopes of settling the rattled feeling I’ve got going on right as the others come inside.
I don’t want to be understood, just as much as I can’t afford to let anyone in.
I want to be able to walk away when I’m ready.
I look back to Maddoc who now leans against the counter staring after me.
Yeah, he could be a problem.
“So tonight’s heat night,” Royce announces.
“Heat night?” I ask.
“Yup. Tonight is all outdoor, no cabins, no clothes. Only the hot tubs and campfires or fire pits to keep you warm.” Royce does a little shimmy with his shoulders. “Or another body.”
I scoff. “Yeah, pass. I’ll chill in here.”
“Can’t.”
I look to Captain. “Why not?”
“Cabins are off-limits all around. Anyone found indoor during the party has to sleep outdoor in screw-you row.”
“Do I even wanna know what you’re talking about?”
“Anybody found indoors, has to sleep on the ground in a row of sleeping bags that have been fucked in at least once this weekend. All lights have to be turned out at dusk and if any lights are seen inside the cabins, people rush in and pull you out and then you’re screwed.”
“One, that’s dumb. Two, I lose by default. No swimsuit, so unless I run around in a thong and bra ...”
“Not opposed to that but ...” Royce trails off and then runs off.
I look to the other two for answers, but they give me nothing, and just as quick as he went, Royce bounds back up the stairs tossing me a bag.
My head snaps back as it hits my face and chest. I look from it to him and he shakes his hand my way.
I peek inside and a laugh leaves me, my hand lifting to cover my mouth as I shake my head.
“You like it?” He grins, and I look to him, smiling.
I pull out a skimpy ass, blood red bikini.
“There is no fucking way, ever. Never.” I laugh, setting it in my lap so I can grab my cup again.
“What?!” He hops to his feet, looking entirely too adorably clueless. “Why? You’d look bangin’ in that.”
“More like bangable ... as in easy.”
The boys chuckle, but Royce frowns and moves to drop on the coffee