Brazen and Breathless (Untouchable #6) - Heather Long Page 0,55

thing. I’m not answering the door. I’m in bed with ice cream and a book. It’s all good.

There was a beat, then my phone vibrated madly with several texts.

Archie: Definitely coming now.

Ian: Wouldn’t miss it.

Jake: Killing me, Baby Girl.

Coop: Fuck all three of you for being closer than me.

I cracked up and rubbed a hand over my face. They wouldn’t change their minds, and I didn’t mind the backup, either.

Maddy: You can’t hide from me forever.

Maddy: We have a lot to discuss, you and I.

Maddy: And if you insist on using lawyers, I can do that.

Maddy: Eddie told me yours is one of his. I can ask him to put a stop to that.

Maddy: I’m trying to cut you a break.

One text after another hit my phone, and I could almost hear her spitting the words out.

Maddy: Frankie, you could at least talk to me. You owe me that much.

I stared at the phone screen as I spooned out another bite of ice cream. I didn’t owe her shit.

Maddy: Call me. Don’t make me do something you’ll regret.

Nope.

I took screenshots of the messages, then sent them all to Mr. Wittaker. He didn’t answer, but it was evening and the man probably had a life. Still, I didn’t get a single word read or relax while I sat there eating my ice cream, until the sound of the backdoor opening made me jump.

“It’s me,” Ian called. “Arch is right behind me.”

Yes.

Much better.

Chapter Eleven

Boom Clap

The guys may have speculated amongst themselves about Maddy’s surprise visit, but through unspoken agreement, they didn’t discuss it with me and I was glad for that. Avoidance and denial weren’t positive coping techniques. Erin would not approve.

But ambushing me was also seriously not cool.

Everyone stayed over, but Jake and Coop won rock paper scissors to sleep with me, and I had never been so amused in my life when they wanted rematches over and over. Still, Coop crowded me right into Jake, and I slept soundly.

Jake left super early and retrieved donuts for us, and they were in the kitchen when I came out from my shower. Coffee and donuts here was kind of nice, and the fact that my apple fritters were hot and fresh had me kissing Jake enthusiastically enough that all the guys were adjusting their jeans. I never thought about the idea of affecting them as crazily as they did me, and it was a heady kind of power.

“Oh,” Coop said around the donut he held between his teeth as he dragged his backpack open. “Before I forget.” It came out a lot more unintelligible than that, but I could speak Coop. He dug out a stack of familiar, if slightly crumpled and thoroughly beaten up envelopes.

Archie went to snatch them, but Coop yanked them away and scolded him, his voice muffled by the donut between his teeth. When Archie cut a look at me, I grinned.

“He said, you and I had a deal.”

With a roll of his eyes, Archie pinned Coop with a look. “Boyfriend tax. Hand it over.”

Boyfriend. Tax.

I spluttered and the coffee came out my nose, then I was coughing and my eyes were watering. Ian rubbed my back gently and gave me an amused albeit sympathetic smile. “It’s part of boyfriend privileges,” he explained, his eyes practically dancing as I tried to quiet my gasping for air.

At the distraction, Jake snagged the envelopes and then grinned. “What will you give me for them, Frankie?”

“I’ll give you a fat lip,” Archie threatened, but the absolute lack of violence in his voice promised he wasn’t serious.

“Right,” Jake said, his grin growing. “That’s why I’m not asking you.”

“Let me guess,” I managed to say, no longer spluttering, and at least I’d managed to not get coffee all over myself. Score. “You want a kiss.”

Wearing a sly look, Jake cocked his head. “I’m open to negotiation.”

Ian shook his head as I scooted around the table and Jake grinned. Planting one hand on the table top, I leaned in close. Jake’s pale blue eyes flared, and his lips parted. “Negotiation?” I murmured.

“Negotiation,” he agreed. The clean fresh scent of him was aftershave free. He didn’t always wear it. That was a good thing.

“Good to know.” I closed the distance, then licked him from the corner of his mouth to near his eye. He let out a bark of laughter as I snatched the letters and danced backward.

Amusement rolled around the table, and Archie caught me with both arms around my waist and pressing up