Page 73 of Teasing

“You got a tutu?” Maverick trails the backs of his fingers down my throat, and I shiver as the heat building between us comes close to incinerating us both.

“I might.”

“Hey, Em—” Camden calls out, and I want to scream.Again.“In here.”

Maverick fixes my hair, and I practically purr under his hands.

“I’ll see you soon,il mio sole.” I watch him brush by Camden with a chin nod and disappear down the hall, taking my heart with him.

How did this happen?

Four hours and what may have been fourteen outfit changes later, I meet the woman who sang the soundtrack for my life. Lilah Ryan, now St. James, is just as incredibly beautiful in person as she is on stage. Wow. “So this is the infamous hot nanny?”

“She has a name, Tink,” Mav growls, and I’m pretty sure Jamie should be happy he’s not within hitting reach right now. “Lilah meet Emmie.”

With shaking hands, I reach out to shake hers. “It’s really nice to meet you. I can’t even begin to tell you how much your music really got me through a few rough years.”

Lilah throws her arms around my shoulders and squeezes me so tightly, I worry my head might pop right off my neck.

“Let her breathe, princess.” Her husband shakes his head as he watches my face. “I’m not sure she can breathe.”

“Listen...” She pulls back and directs a dazzling smile at me. “We didn’t know Maverick had it in him. I mean, I wasn’t sure he could be nice enough to someone long enough to convince them to date him. We’re so excited you’re here.”

“Way to make me sound like an asshole, Tink.”

Killian, Lilah’s husband, turns toward Mav and tilts his head. “You don’t really need any help sounding like an asshole most of the time.”

Maverick steals my hand from Lilah’s. “I’m not always a dick.”

“The first time we met, you demanded my camera and accused me of selling photos of Rosie,” I admit nervously before hiding behind my wine glass.

“Oh really?” Lilah asks, turning her eyes from Maverick to me. “I hope you told him to fuck off.”

“She doesn’t curse,” Mav deadpans, and Lilah laughs.

“That’s okay. You curse enough for both of you.” She takes my hand back in hers like I’m a toy they’re fighting over. “Come on, Emmie. We need more wine.”

I look at my half full glass of white, then back to Mav, who smiles with his whole heart.

These people are obviously special to him.

She grabs the bottle from the table and an empty glass, then motions for me to follow her to the white Adirondak chairs down by the dock, and I follow, still a little in shock.

I tuck my legs up under the royal-blue sundress I decided on and rest my head on the back of the chair, looking at the pretty blonde next to me. “He speaks really highly of you.” I look over my shoulder at the group of people around the grill. “About all of you.”

“We like to torture Maverick about being a dick, but he’s a really good guy.” Her words are measured as she watches me. “But I think you already know that, don’t you?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” I sip my delicious wine and enjoy the setting sun, sad that summer is coming to an end. “They’re all pretty special,” I muse. “Which I guess is a good thing since Jamie informed me they’re a package deal.”

Lilah looks confused. “Like Mav and Rosie?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Like Maverick, Rosie, Jamie, and Ryker.”

She hums, and I smile. “Yeah. They kind of are. But they mean well. We’re all kind of a package deal, I guess. I mean.” She looks over at Camden. “I’m betting you and your brother are too, aren’t you?”

“Not exactly.” I sip again and take the bottle from her to top off my glass. “Camden is a lot older than me, and he’s been gone for a while. We’re working on it though.”

“He’s the new quarterback, right?”

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