Page 56 of Teasing

Congrats on the win. Hoping Corbin and Sinclair are okay.

Maverick

Sinclair is out for a few weeks with a torn meniscus. He should be back in October. Still waiting for final word on Corbin.

Emmie

That’s so scary.

FYI – I told Rosie they were both going to be fine and that the doctors would fix them right up. Just wanted you to know in case she asks you tomorrow. It scared her a little.

Maverick

Thanks for taking care of my girl.

Emmie

Always. See you tonight.

I look up to see them telling us to hurry it up, so we can get the hell out of here, and say a silent thanks. I just want to get home. To both my girls.

Maverick

We’re getting out of here soon. I’ll be home in a few hours.

Emmie

Be safe.

Maverick

Always.

Jamie, Ryker, and I are quiet as we let ourselves into the house.

Rosie should be sleeping, and I’m assuming Emmie is too. Butters does her job and runs up to us as soon as we’re through the door, shaking her fat little ass and non-existent tail until Ryker picks her up.“I’m going to bed.”

I watch him take the dog upstairs as I lock the door and set the alarm before following Jamie into the family room. The TV is on and the volume turned way down, while Emmie lies curled in a ball, sleeping on the couch. Her hands tucked under her face. She’s changed into short shorts and a matching cropped tee, both white with tiny cherries printed on them, showing off miles of skin. My eye catches on what looks like a delicate tattoo, inked in script on her ribs.

New goal in life set.

I want to trace that tattoo with my tongue.

She rolls to her side and opens her eyes with a yawn. “Maverick?”

“La mia luce solare...”I murmur as I look down over her.

“Hmm,” she hums, still half asleep. “I still don’t know what that means.”

“It doesn’t matter tonight,” I tell her as I bend down and pick her up, cradling her against my chest.

“What are you doing?” she asks in a sleepy voice that goes right to my cock.

“Putting you to bed. It’s late.” I really want to put her in my bed, but I know she’s not ready for that.

She rests her head against my chest and wraps her arms around my neck for a beat before opening her eyes. “I have to go home, Mav.”

“It’s late. Go home in the morning. We have tomorrow off.” I consider just carrying her upstairs but decide not to piss her off because I’m pretty sure that would piss her off. Part of me doesn’t care if it means she stays here with me. But the other part of me... the one who respects this woman, knows that’s not fair. “Please, Em. It’s been a long night.”

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