Page 138 of Face Off
“Thanks,” I say, and Grant barrel rolls past me on the floor to cut in front of the line. “Watch out, Everett. I will step on you.”
“That’s not a threat, Emmy.” He grins and pops onto his feet, taking the slice of pizza I’m reaching for. “It would be an honor.”
“I don’t understand this game.” Piper groans and flops back on the couch, frustrated. “I’m passing the football but my other player isn’t scoring.”
“Because you also control the other player.” Liam folds his big hands over her smaller ones on the controller. “You have to switch between them.”
“Like this?” She moves the joystick forward and gasps when the player on the screen moves forward too. “I did it!”
“That’s great, Piper,” he tells her, and she beams up at him.
Maverick leans over, and his thigh presses into my knee. “Do you feel like we’re interrupting something by being here?” he murmurs, and I nod.
“I do. In ten seconds, I’m going to say that I need another drink. You’re going to offer to get me one, and we’ll leave them alone.”
“Why would I offer to get you a drink? You’ve gotten the last three all on your own,” he says, and I sigh.
“You’re not actually getting me a drink. It’s just to make them think you’re getting me one.”
“Oh.” His grin is wide, and he knocks his knuckles against mine in a fist bump. “Got it.”
I roll my eyes and smooth out my skirt. “I’m going to get another drink. I’ll be right back,” I announce.
“I’ll get it for you, m’lady,” Maverick says. “I need another water anyway.”
We head out of the living room and down the hall. Instead of turning for the kitchen, Maverick guides me toward his bedroom. We pass the floor-to-ceiling windows, and I see some of the guys out on the balcony enjoying an unseasonably warmlate-January night. They’re laughing and playing a competitive game of cornhole that has Connor throwing a beanbag at Riley’s head and Hudson arguing about board placement.
God, I love these boys.
“You have the ultimate party apartment. Are you hiding an eighteen-hole putt putt course anywhere?” I ask.
“It’s on the roof. I haven’t shown you?” he jokes, and he opens his bedroom door.
“Not yet.” I pull him toward me, standing up on my toes so I can kiss him. He smiles against my mouth and cups the back of my head. “I really wanted to do that. I’ve missed you.”
“Fuck, I’ve missed you too.” He kicks the door closed with his foot and moves us toward the bed. “I’ve been so busy with disciplinary hearings and meeting with Coach to assure him I’mnotturning into a raging lunatic on the ice. I’m sorry I’ve been so absent.”
“Just a regular lunatic,” I say, and he tosses me onto the mattress. “And I forgive you.”
“Sleepover tonight?” he asks, crawling over me and bending down to kiss my neck.
I sigh and lift my hips, desperate to feel more of him. “I can’t. I came with Piper, and she’ll think it’s suspicious if I stay. How about tomorrow night?”
“No can do. I have a tux fitting with Dallas and Reid for the wedding, then we’re grabbing dinner.”
“What about the tux you wore to the gala? You looked good in that.”
“Did I?” Maverick runs his hand up the inside of my thigh, and my nipples harden under my shirt. “Everyone knows you need a different tux for different occasions.”
“Sorry I’m not up to date on all my tux wearing rules.”
“So no sleepover tonight or tomorrow night? Guess that means I’ll have to have you right now.”
“With everyone outside?”
“Would that be okay?”
“Yes,” I whisper. “But I’m not sure I can be quiet.”
