Page 142 of Waiting Game

“If you wanted to check out my ass, you should have simply said so.”

She slaps said ass. “Get moving.”

Expression deadpan, I do as she requests. Mia even steps back and points out where she’d like certain pieces to go and I maneuver them where she wants. I don’t even grumble when she has me turn them this way and that.

When she’s done, she chuckles. “You filled up my shelves. Thank you.”

There’s something about how she says ‘thank you.’

I could get addicted to it.

It’s not throwaway. It’s genuine. In fact, it’s so genuine that the words take on a life of their own.

“It’s my pleasure.”

“You really didn’t have to.”

“And that’s why I had to.”

Stepping back to stare at our work, I accept that she’s not lying—the walls are fuckingfull.

“You’re weird,” she comments, and I know why.

“We established that already. I didn’t even realize I’d stolen so much. No wonder Gracie asked me if I’d pulled a heist.”

That has her tensing. “I saw you hug her tonight.”

“I told you—she’s like my sister. Anyway, she’s with Liam.”

“I know. I didn’t mean I was jealous.” That earns me my fourth harrumph of the night. “I mean… I saw her and you and I knew I had to tell you.”

“You didn’t invite me over to fuck my brains out?”

“I didn’t invite you over…” She rubs her brow. “I guess something is easier now.”

“What?”

“I felt bad about two-timing you guys. Mr.CalKor.”

“I get it.”

Her brow furrows. “This whole night has gone completely differently than how I imagined it would.”

“Are you pleased about that?”

She swallows. “I’m not ashamed of how I’ve earned money, Cole.”

“I don’t think you should be either. You were rolling in the dough. Hell, I’m jealous.”

That lightens up her solemn expression but not for long. It shifts until... “You didn’t… tell anyone, did you?”

I squint at her. “Are you for real?”

“I know how guys can?—”

Turning to face her, I cup her chin. “Baby, I wanted you to go private so that no one else could look at you like that. You think I’d tell my team?”

Her bottom lip gets sucked in between her teeth. “Does Gracie know?”

---