Page 61 of A Little Tempting
“He knows about the headaches?” Everett interjects.
Dylan glances at Everett, who’s back at his spot on the loveseat and shakes her head. “It’s not a big deal, and no. No headache today.” Giving me her full attention again, she touches the edge of her glasses. “Sometimes I’m too lazy to put in contacts.”
“I like the glasses,” I tell her, stepping back to give her some breathing room. Pretty sure she’d pass out if the interrogation continued for another second. But later? Yeah, I’ll be investigating thewhybehind her headaches as soon as I can get her alone again. Hell, maybe I’ll even sneak into her room while Finley’s downstairs arguing with Drew over the phone when she thinks we’re all asleep.
“So, what were you guys talking about?” Ophelia prods. “I feel like we interrupted something.”
Threading his fingers with hers, Maverick says, “We’re catching up on a few things. Will you give me a minute?”
“A minute?” Her eyes narrow. “Yeah, that’s not subtle at all.”
“Please?”
“Are Dylan and Finley allowed to stay, or are we all banned from the family room?”
He grins. “Only you.”
“Should I be offended?”
“Flattered,” he clarifies as Finley plops down beside Griffin, and Dylan takes a seat next to Everett while I stay standing at the edge of the room, ever the outcast.
“Hmm.” Ophelia shifts toward Mav on the couch and kisses his cheek. “Fine. But only because you asked me nicely.”
“Five minutes, I promise,” Maverick adds.
“Mm-hmm. You’re lucky I have a paper to write.” With one more pointed look at her boyfriend, she adds, “You owe me.” When she starts to shift away, he grabs the side of her face and kisses her, pulling a soft smile from her.
“I think we both know I have no problem paying you back,” he murmurs against her lips. You’d think they were in a world of their own, and if there’s any positives to Archer’s death, it’s this. The strength these two have found in each other. Maybe it’s a little morbid, but hey. I’m not afraid to call it like it is. Honestly, I envy it. Having someone to rely on.
My eyes find Dylan like they have a mind of their own. When I catch her staring at Mav’s exchange with Ophelia, Dylan drops her focus to her lap and plays with her fingers. Nervous. Uncomfortable. Shy. The combination is like gasoline on an already stoked fire.
“I’ll be upstairs,” Lia tells him as her eyelids flutter, and she finally comes out of the lust-filled coma Maverick induced. Turning to her best friends, she adds, “Will you guys grab me when Mav is finished…doing whatever he’s doing?”
“Yup.” Finley snuggles into the cushions a little more and makes herself comfortable. “We’ll be up in a few.”
“Good.” Pushing off the leather couch, Ophelia leaves, and Maverick leans forward, watching as she takes the stairs, his eyes zeroed in on her ass.
“Perv,” I cough into my hand, not even bothering to hide my lack of subtlety. The guys laugh.
Once we have an ounce of privacy, Finley prods, “So? What is it?”
Maverick looks at the empty foyer one more time. Satisfied, he announces, “I want to take Ophelia to Homecoming.”
With a squeak, Finley claps her hands quietly to keep the sound from echoing up to Ophelia’s room. “Seriously? Aw, this’ll be perfect!”
“I hope so.”
“Do you need our help?” Dylan asks.
Mav shakes his head. “I’ll take care of it, but I wanted to give you a heads-up. I’d like it if we could all go together and have a fun night.”
“I’m in.” Pulling out her phone, Finley starts typing a message, her fingers flying over the screen. “Let me see if Drew can come.”
Everett rubs at the corners of his eyes. “Called it.”
His comment is followed by an awkward as fuck silence. It hangs over the room, and Dylan curls in on herself beside him, well aware she’s the elephant. “Aaaand, I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Dylan,” I call as she starts to stand up. “Will you?—”