And I did that.
“We… need to get your stain out,” she says with a wavering voice.
“Then take my shirt off, Finch, you know how.”
Her brows crease in an annoyed frown. “God, you’re arrogant.”
“Maybe, Buttercup. But you like it.” I wink. “It’s kind of hard to deny after what we just did against your washer/dryer.”
“Maybe I got it all out of my system.” She grabs my wrist and drops it from her face with a scowl. “Maybe I’m over fuck boys.”
I arch my brow, flashing her a wicked, crooked grin. “A little hard to believe, but I’m nothing if not a gentleman.” I step back on my heels, hands in the air in mock surrender. “I’ll just be over here.”
Pinching the shirt’s collar, I tug it over my head in a slow, deliberate way that Kennedy used to make me do for Instagram videos. Videos she’d always cut before showing my face because, apparently, she wanted to keep some things private. I hated when she’d used my abs for likes, but I obliged her because I was a dumb bunny. But now, I’m thankful for the practice because when I peek up, making sure my muscles are taut and flexed, Maddie’s staring at me slack-jawed. Her perfectly round cheeks burn bright red like glass ornament balls.
“Quit ogling, weirdo.” I toss the shirt at her and cross my arms and ankles, leaning against the couch, running parallel to the laundry closet in Maddie’s open-concept apartment.
“Then quit posing like a goddamn model!” She huffs, marching towards the kitchen and slinging my shirt over her shoulder.
I follow her the few feet, allowing myself to be the obedient puppy dog I’m close to becoming. Maddie turns on her heel, and I’m quick to slam the cocky mask on. She wags a finger in front of my arrogant facade. “Your presence in the kitchen is strictly forbidden.”
My lips twitch. “That scared you can’t control yourself?”
She smooths the shirt out on the island counter and douses it with the stain remover. “Yes, I’m worried I’ll murder you with access to all these knives. Wouldn’t look good on my resume.”
“Aww, come on now. Whose name would you scream if you did a silly thing like that?”
“I’d have my dignity to keep me warm. It’d be fine,” she says, grabbing a brush and scrubbing the stain. Her shoulders bunch to her ears with tension, like her mind and body are at war.
I cock my head to the side. I’m used to sparring with Maddie in my world, but this Seth doesn’t get much lip from her, so this sudden agitation is a bit out of character.
Not that I mind it. It’s almost comforting and makes driving her to the edge even more satisfying.
“Maddie.”
“Hmm?”
“Can you look at me?”
“Can’t. I’m busy saving your shirt. You know, this thing is impractical. I know how expensive these are, and I don’t think there’s much of a difference between them and a regular workout shirt.”
“The company gave me a few to wear while I workout, so if I get photographed or filmed on campus, it’s in the photo. I didn’t buy them.”
The scrubbing stops, and Maddie purses her lips. “Wait, so this was free?”
“Yeah.”
“Why am I trying to get this out, then?”
“I enjoy watching you rub stuff out.” I shrug.
She rolls her eyes, dropping the brush on the counter. “You’re lucky you’re not in the kitchen right now.” She wipes her hair out of her face and picks up her gaze, meeting mine. A tiny sly smile cracks the corner of her mouth. “But if you enjoy watching me, come here.”
I hesitate, taking stock of the steak knives. None seem to be within quick draw reach, and I pick up my lean off the couch and march over to the island.
Maddie meets me, standing in between my legs. Her finger trails over the spot where the hot chocolate scalded me. It’s a little red now, but I think I avoided the worst of it.
“I’m sorry about this,” she says. “Does it hurt?”
