Page 111 of Every Bit As Perfect
“Sorry, Auntie Harley,” Noelle teased from her perch on the arm of Hawk’s chair.“He’s down for the night.”
“Don’t worry, Harley,” Max goaded, his long legs stretched out, ankles crossed.“I cuddled him enough for all of us.”
I smiled, flopped down on the couch beside Daire, and curled my feet up underneath me before tucking myself under his arm.
What a difference from the time I squeezed myself into the corner, as far away from his delicious self as I could get.
Now I couldn’t get close enough.
I ran my forefinger along the stitching of his jeans at his knee.His interest in me still felt like a dream, but it was hard to deny the way he made me feel.
Hawk prodded the fireplace into a blaze and informed me my favorite wine coolers were stocked in the fridge.I had spent the entire day with all of my favorite people, and it wasn’t over yet.
I smiled around at everyone.“I think that went really well, don’t you?”
Our first Halloween Howler event was a raging success.In some strange way, I felt like I honored Hunter, and all the Halloweens of our past.And it was simple; the easiest event I’d ever pulled off.
In and out in under three hours.Popcorn and a movie for the kids, hot apple cider, coffee, tea, and cookie trays from Andrea at Cake Me Away for the adults.
Flying high from yet another successful project, I couldn’t wait to go home and expend my happiness all over Daire’s beautiful body.
I wiggled closer to him at the thought.
He chuckled as if he could read my mind and dropped his hand down to my arm, pulling me closer.
“Are you guys serious?”
“Yes,” Daire replied immediately while I said, “We’re still new.”
“She means yes,” Daire joked.
I tipped my chin back to look up at him.Probably had fucking heart eyes.I didn’t even care there were witnesses to my lovesick state, that’s how far gone I was.
“How are you so sure?”Hawk pushed.
Why was he so concerned?Max had vouched for Daire.Hawk knew he was a good guy.The best guy.
“When you know, you know,” Daire replied easily but I detected a hint of an edge to his voice.Funny how attuned I was to his voice now.Must be all those nights loving him behind a blindfold.“How’d you know when it was Noelle?”
“Let’s talk about Noelle for a second.”
“Let’s not,” Daire shot back.
My gaze flickered back and forth between my lover and my brother.I laughed nervously.“Am I missing something?”
Max met my eyes guiltily and looked away.
Noelle pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with worry.
The blood in my veins turned to ice.I felt light-headed.“What is happening?”
“You obviously haven’t told her yet.”
I pulled away from Daire and sat up straight, pinning my brother with my gaze.My voice sharp, I demanded, “Tell me what?You tell me right now, Hawkley Bennett.”
He jerked his chin toward Daire.“He has history with Noelle.I told him to tell you before you got in too deep, or I would.”
“What?”I whispered, looking around at all of them, noting first Daire’s furious face, then the pity stamped on everyone else’s.
