Page 59 of Love is a Game

“See?” he murmurs. “Easy, peasy.”

Easy. Right.

If only my pulse would stop racing.

I tilt my head back to look at him. The shadows soften the sharp cut of his jaw. But the glimmer in his eyes and the teasing lift of his lips are unmistakable.

I clear my throat. “I, uh…just wanted to say hi.”

His lips twitch. “Hi, Pen.”

“Hi.” I bite my lip, suddenly aware ofeverything—his hands still resting lightly on me, the way my breath isn’t quite steady yet.

Then I remember my dress. The thigh-high slit that’s currently exposing half my crotch.

I yank at the fabric, tugging it closed.

Tuck’s gaze drops for half a second before he smirks.

“Another wardrobe malfunction? Can’t blamemefor this one. But if you need someone to finish the job, I’d be happy to oblige.”

“How generous,” I say, grinning now, adrenaline still buzzing in my veins. “Your gallantry knows no bounds.”

His gaze locks on mine, something playful in his eyes.

“Indeed. And once I put this ladder away, I’d like to escort you upstairs and help you forget all about your traumatic experience.”

“What do you have in mind?” I tease.

His grip on my skin tightens. “A good, hard—”

“Tuck?” A voice, groggy and confused, cuts through the night.

We both freeze.

“Everything alright out there?”

Tuck exhales. “Oh yeah, Dad. Just…a bit of stargazing.”

There’s a pause.

Then Keith, clearly unconvinced: “Is that my ladder?”

“Yeah.” Tuck taps the frame as if testing its balance. “Just wanted to show Pen. That you have this big old ladder, since she wants me to…check her guttering.”

I stifle a giggle.

“Er—” Tuck glances at me. “The guttering on the cottage.”

Keith shoves his hands into the pockets of his robe. “I see. Okay, well…I’ll, uh…leave you to it. Night.”

“Night, Dad.”

“Goodnight, Keith!” I add, giving a bright little wave.

Keith mutters something under his breath before shuffling back inside.

Tuck watches him go, then turns back to me.

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