Page 69 of Pit Stop

I swallow, trying not to think about it.

Owen peers around the crowd and his eyes grow wide.

“Oh, do you see that booth over there? That’s the one with the charmed moons.”

I nod and listen to him prattle on and on about everything we can find here, all while Maverick touches my skin, driving me wild.

I’m panting by the time we make it to the front, half-listening to the spiel and ordering whatever looks bright and exciting. I have no idea what kind I’m getting, nor do I care. I just want to feel Maverick inside of me again. I want to be alone with him, in his place, in our bed.

I want to nest.

Fuck.

The realization does nothing to stop me from plastering myself against Maverick the entire time we roam the stalls, following behind Owen and half-listening to him babble away. I end up buying one of the enchanted moons. It could be a gimmick, but Owen insists it really works.

And I may or may not buy something for Maverick when he’s not looking. A blue ring that would sit so nicely on one of his fingers.

The only time I pull away from Maverick is when River makes an appearance, his eyes brightening when he sees Owen near us.

“Hey, bro!” he says jovially, waving his hand.

Owen’s smile falls, and he rolls his eyes. “Gods, that guy again. I know he’s your brother, but still…”

I huff a small laugh and feel Maverick’s fingers reach out for mine, weaving around my own and setting fireworks off in my skin.

“Hey,” River says to Maverick and then moves his gaze to Owen, who is now glowering at him.

“I’m not sleeping with you, so get that out of your mind,” Owen says curtly, and River’s lips curl up even higher.

“I didn’t ask you to fuck, but I mean, if you’re thinking about it…”

“I am not,” Owen says, his cheeks flushing.

“I mean, I’m available for heats, if you need someone.”

Owen scowls. “I have someone already. A very nice, gentlemanly man who takes care of my every need.”

River’s grin slips slightly, but he’s not deterred. He never is. Even when he was a kid, nothing got him down. Even that one time he spent weeks building a boat out of wood, only to watch it sink in the pond behind our house. He just laughed and shrugged his shoulders.

I wish I could be that optimistic.

“Yeah, all right. No worries.” He winks at Owen, who just blushes and then turns around, stomping away and calling back, “I’m going to go look at the hats. In the stall at the very end of this aisle.”

River watches him go, his eyes dancing until he can no longer see him. Then he turns his gaze toward Maverick and me.

“Didn’t expect to see you two fuck birds out here.”

“Shut up,” I murmur, and River laughs.

“Oh shit. You got some timber treats.” He grabs the bag and lifts it up, peering at the assortment I bought. “Can I have one? The line is stupid long.”

“Sure.”

He rustles around in the bag and pulls out three, popping them in his mouth and chewing loudly. I stare at him.

“I think these are, like, drugs,” I tell him, and he shrugs.

“I know. But this flavor combo is so good.” With that, he holds out his hand, and I’m forced to high-five him before he skips off. I watch him go until he’s disappeared completely.

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