Page 91 of Connected By Stars
I feel a warm hand on the small of my back. “Don’t you have work that you need to do?” Maverick asks Luke.
Laughing, Luke holds up his hands. “Dude, I swear I didn’t say anything inappropriate. In fact, I’m happy for you guys. Do you know how many girls’ numbers I’ve gotten lately because Maverick passes them on to me when they come in? This is like the best job ever.” He grins at me before walking away to tend to the next customer who just walked in.
“You told Luke to quit flirting with me?” I ask him when Lukeleaves.
“Hell, yes, I did. I was young like him once and know exactly the game he’s playing. He needed to know that you are off limits now.”He brings me close to him and puts his arms around me, not caring who is watching.
I sigh against his chest and breathe him in. “Are you coming over later? I promised Sophia I would watch a movie with her tonight. You’re welcome to join us.”
“It’s not a girly flick, is it? As much as I’m afraid to admit that The Notebook is a damn good movie, I’m not about to sit through it again and pass you girls’ tissues all night long. A guy can only take too much.”
“No,” I laugh. “We can compromise and find something we all like. We can order pizza and drink wine. It’ll be fun.”
“Now, how can I pass that up, especially when you’re looking at me like that? I think it’s come to the point where I can’t say no to you.”
Grinning, I reach up on tiptoes and give him a peck. “I’ll remember that later when I have you alone.”
Groaning, he leans down close to my ear. “If I didn’t have a store full right now, I would be hauling you into the back room to prove it. I’m having a hard time thinking of anything else, knowing you’re bare for me under this dress.”
“And who’s fault is that?” I meet his smug grin and laugh. “I better get going. I’ve got a ton of work to do at home before tonight.”
“I’ll see you later when I get off work.” He bends down for one more quick kiss before I make my way to the front door. “Bell,” he yells, stopping me in my tracks. I turn my head to look at him with my hand on the front door. “Thanks for lunch. Especially dessert. It’s a favorite of mine.”
His eyes gleam with mischief, and I feel all eyes on me as my face gets warm. Luke chuckles up at the register, and I wantto crawl in a hole. I meet his greens as they sparkle with amusement.
“You’re welcome. I have more at home I can share with you later.” I open the door to his laughter and grin as I walk to my Jeep. Two can play at this game.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Maverick
I bucklethe straps on Bell’s life jacket as she grins up at me. “I can do it myself, you know.”
“And miss the chance to tighten these straps across these beautiful breasts? I don’t think so. I’ll do anything that involves touching you or strapping you in,” I grin at her and wink.
Laughing, she pulls me down for a kiss. I grab her behind and bring her close to me.
“Are you guys done making out over there so we can hit the water, or should I just come back later?” Sophia asks, storing her bag in the seat.
Bell grins against my lips. “We better get going so our parents aren’t waiting.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I lean down for one more kiss before pulling away and securing the buckles on my life jacket.
We ended up falling asleep on the couch during the movie and woke up to Sophia in the kitchen making coffee this morning. I haven’t gotten any alone time with her since, and now we have to spend the day with our parents, acting like I don’t want to touch her every chance I can get.
Bell puts our bags under the seat to secure them. Myparents took our cooler this morning to load it on Jax’s boat, so we just need to pick up Luna. The girls get on the jet skis, and I push the button to lower them into the water. They back up, and Bell swings around to pick me up. She scoots back so I can get on the front and wraps her arms tightly around my waist.
We slowly wind our way through the canal and channels before hitting open water.
“Don’t you dare throw me off,” I hear her say behind me.
“Don’t you trust me?” I grin over my shoulder.
“That’s debatable.”
“Hold on tight, baby.” Laughing, I gun the jet ski. She shrieks and holds on tighter as I cut through the water next to Sophia. Loving the feel of her arms around me, I maneuver us over some waves. She laughs behind me, and I grin. Sophia keeps up with me easily. We’ve been on these skis since we were legal to drive them. We race through the water before slowing down and entering the canal where Jax and Sage live.
I pull up alongside their dock, where they’re loading the boat, and cut the engine. Putting my hand out, I grab the deck post to hold us in place as Sophia parks behind me.
