Page 3 of Teasing

Like Rosie said—oopsie.

“Your camera. Hand it over. I’m sure you’re seeing dollar signs with whatever picture you’ve managed to get, but trust me when I say my lawyers will have you regretting every single fucking decision you’ve ever made in your life if you think you’re going to sell that picture. Now... Give. Me. The. Camera.” His words carry a threat I don’t miss. They’re low and angry and kinda scary, but also strangely sexy. Not that it matters. He’s still not getting my camera.

Instead, I turn it so he can see the screen, and he moves forward only for me to take a step back. “Listen, Cujo. Back off. I swear to God if you touch my camera, you will not be the only scary person in this backyard. You’re on my property—uninvited, might I add. But if you stay there, I’ll show you the only pictures on this are of my flowers and my coffee.” I point to the setup on my white blanket. My hot-pink eyelash mug and this morning’s roses are strategically placed next to an open notebook. Across the screen are the wordsDrink the coffee and pick your own roses. Life is short. Don’t wait. Enjoy the little things.

I scroll backward, showing him a solid twenty-five photos before dropping my hand to my side. “I was taking pictures when Rosie came over and introduced herself to me. It never occurred to me to take her photo because I wouldn’t do that.”

He crosses two thick arms over his chest, and an old, worn, West End t-shirt pulls taut across what I have no doubt is a glorious chest.

Oh man... Do not drool, Emmie. Not cool. Not the first impression I need to make.

“Yeah.” He looks at the camera in my hand, and a muscle ticks in his jaw like he’s not sure he believes me. “Sure. Just don’t forget what I said. I swear to God, if you even think about taking pictures of my kid?—”

“I said I didn’t, and I wouldn’t. Unless you want me to swear it in blood, I’m not sure what else I can do.” Ohh. I like this badass version of myself. Not sure where it came from, but I’m here for it. I reach out my hand. “I’m Emmie. I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I’m not actually sure it is—yet.”

His stormy blue eyes finally focus on my face, and I force myself not to suck in a sharp breath. The weight of his stare nearly forces me to squirm. “Let me guess. You’re going to act like you don’t know who I am?”

Laughing in his face the way I do probably isn’t the best move, but I can’t stop myself. “Wow. You really think highly of yourself, don’t you?”

He cocks his head to the side, unamused but not quite as angry as he was a second ago. “Am I wrong?”

I cross my arms over my significantly smaller chest, mirroring him, and smile. “Nope. I know exactly who you are. Your father was my dad’s favorite Kings player of all time. He’s going to think it’s so cool when I tell him you’re my new neighbor.”

Maverick Beneventi’s mouth opens, then closes again, and I laugh again.

“Think you could get me your dad’s autograph? That would be the coolest Father’s Day gift ever,” I ask, unable to help myself from poking the bear.

Take that, you big grump.

His dark eyes flare as his jaw ticks, and I roll my lips together to keep from laughing... again.

He shakes his head and walks away without another glance.

Why are the hot ones always such jerks?

Maverick

“Briar Rose,” I groan as I walk back into the house, glaring when I find her sitting between her uncles at the kitchen table. My brother, Ryker, on her right and my best friend, Jamie, on her left. All three smile when they see me, matching grilled chicken and garden salads on each plate. Thankfully, the guys refuse to make Rosie feel like she’s different because of her food allergies, something my family has embraced too.

“Sorry, Daddy,”she says and signs because Ryker is in the room, and for as long as she’s been alive, Ryker has been almost completely deaf. It comes second nature to her because it’s all she’s ever known.

“Young lady,”I say and sign, even though I know my brother can read my lips and probably has both hearing aids in. “You were told to stay with Uncle Ryker.” I stand opposite the three of them and ignore the way Ryker and Jamie hide their smiles. Shit-stirrers. “And what have we said about talking to strangers?”

“Emmie’s not a stranger, Daddy. She’s our neighbor.”

“Our hot neighbor,” Jamie mumbles under his breath, and I shake my head.

He’s not wrong.

“It was really hot outside, Uncle Jamie,”Rosie agrees, and Jamie smiles triumphantly.

I swear to God, I’m not sure why I agreed to let him and Ryker move in with me.

“Yes, it was hot outside,”I agree, not only because Rosie’s right but because Jamie is too.

Holy fucking hell.

Our neighborishot. Like seventh circle of hell hot. With an ass that could bring a man to his knees, cupped perfectly in ripped jean shorts, leaving miles of toned, tanned skin on display, and a white-ribbed tank top molding the most magnificent tits... Ones I’m gonna bet would fit perfectly in my damn hands. She had an effortless kind of beauty. Long brown hair, the color of melted caramel thrown up on top of her head with some kind of skinny braid thing tucked into it. And her eyes... I swear they were a golden-green like nothing I’ve ever seen.

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