Page 110 of Face Off
“Having fun?” Maverick whispers. His breath is warm on my skin, and he toys with the hemline of my dress. He inches it higher up my thigh, and I shudder. “God, you look fucking incredible, Red. Every guy in here has been staring at you since the minute we walked in.”
“Thank you.” I cross my legs, and my dress rides up another inch. Maverick tracks the motion and licks his lips, heat behind his eyes. “And it’s tolerable. The company is decent.”
He grins, andgod, I want to kiss him right now. I want to tip my chin up and brush his mouth against mine. Drag him to a dark corner and let him run his hands all over my body.
“You want another drink?” he asks.
“A drink would be nice,” I say.
He glances around us. When he doesn’t see anyone we know, he drops a quick kiss to my cheek and slides out of the booth. “Be right back.”
I watch him work his way to the bar through the throngs of people. Three different women try to get him to talk to them, elbowing each other in attempts to get closer. He gives them a polite nod then moves down the counter, chatting with the only male bartender there.
I know he’s not going to kiss someone else while I’m around, but it’s amazing how seeing him ignore the stunning clubgoers makes me happy. I expected that playboy side of him to sneak through. A grin. A wink. A flirtatious hand on someone’s body when he slipped past them.
There hasn’t been any of that, and when he turns around and his eyes meet mine through the crowded room, his smile turns softer. Something secret and something only I know. It’s the one I get to see late at night, a leg hooked over his shoulder and his laugh against the inside of my thigh.
He gives me a goofy wave and proudly holds up the drinks. I try to roll my eyes, but I smile instead, a silly, giddy sensation sweeping me away all because of his damn dimples and laser-sharp attention.
“Oh my god.” Piper collapses onto the seat next to me and I glance away from Maverick. “My feet hurt.”
“Why do you look so happy?” I touch her pink cheeks and laugh. “You’re burning up.”
“I just danced with some guy from Italy, and he wasveryhandsome. I asked if he could come to our gala with me next week, but he told me he has to fly back to Europe tomorrow.” She pouts. “Bummer.”
“There will be other Italian men. Do you already have your dress?”
“Yes! It’s pink and floor-length andveryfancy.” Piper giggles and reaches for my empty drink. “Oh no. Where did it all go?”
“I drank it all, believe it or not. Maybe you should eat something, Piper.”
“A burger sounds great.” She closes her eyes and sways to the beat of the music. “In-N-Out. Don’t they have In-N-Out here?”
“I think that’s just a West Coast American thing.”
Piper groans. “Damn geography. Dammit all to hell.”
“What does she want?” Liam asks from across the table, and I jump.
I don’t know when he sat down, and he’s watching us with a tense jaw and a flicker of irritation behind his eyes. I can’t believe the guys got him to come out tonight, but Grant said something about a gentleman’s code, like I understood the meaning.
“She’s hungry. I’ll take care of her. Maybe we can find somewhere that’s open and I?—”
“I’ve got it.” He cuts me off gruffly and stands up, towering over us with his six-three, two-hundred-pound frame. The man is a freaking brick wall. “You want something to eat, Pipsqueak?”
“What?” She blinks and her mouth pops open. “Did you just make up a nickname for me? I thought you weren’t capable of human emotions. Just twenty-four-seven grumpiness.” She slaps a hand over her mouth and her cheeks turn even redder. “Oh my god. Pretend I never said that.”
Liam’s lips quirk, the hint of a smile on his face, and he holds out his hand. “I know somewhere good.”
“You’re not going to murder her, are you?” I ask, and he snorts. Either the world is ending, or I’m more drunk than I thought.
“Murder isn’t my thing.” He waits for Piper to take his hand, and when she does, he moves so carefully, you’d think he washolding onto something fragile. “I’ll text you if I need anything,” he says, and they disappear down the stairs.
“Was that Liam?” Maverick asks, two glasses in hand. “AndPiper? What the hell is going on tonight?”
“Not what you think.” I take the drink he offers me. “He’s going to get her a burger.”
“Liam never does anything for anyone.” He tucks a piece of loose hair behind my ear. “Do you want to hang out up here?”
