“Is Dex going?” Ann asked.
“Am I going where?” he said from behind Maya. She jumped.
“Easy, girl.”
“I’m not a horse,” she snapped but she did settle down.
“Not someone to ride?” he asked, and the guys broke into laughter.
“I seesomeonewants to sleep alone tonight,” Ann said loudly.
Jack stopped laughing.
Anson shook his head, still grinning. “I love my cousin. What a funny, funny guy.”
Dex rubbed Maya’s shoulders, and she leaned back against him, all too aware of his stability and strength. And he lovedher. “Dex?”
“Yeah?”
She turned to watch him, not sure what she planned to say. “You, uh, I—”
“Time to eat.” Riley tugged her out of his arms.
“Right. Yep. Noodles are done.” Ann scurried back to the kitchen.
Jack frowned. “The timer says two more minutes.”
“Nope. The timer is wrong. I have a hot oven.”
“Yeah, but you’re using the stovetop.”
“Jack?” Ann said. “Shut up.”
“Yes, dear.” He sighed.
Conscious her girlfriends were trying to save her from saying the wrong thing, Maya let them lead her away. She and Riley set the table, and needing something else to think about, she asked Riley about Anson.
“Apparently Dex wanted him included,” Riley explained under her breath. “The rat got to Ann and sweet-talked her into letting Anson come along.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you.” Maya winked.
“I can protect myself, thanks.”
“From what?” Anson asked, standing right behind Riley.
“Quit sneaking up on people,” Riley said with a glare.
He shrugged. “Not my fault. Ann made me take my shoes off.”
They both glanced down at his huge, bare feet. Maya felt bad for Riley, because Anson might be annoying, but no question he was hot. Even his humongous feet looked less Flintstoney and more graceful. He and Dex looked a lot alike, but whereas Dex had a weightlifter look, Anson was more streamlined. Muscular but sleek.
Maya could tell Riley felt uncomfortable, but the girl stood her ground. “Yeah, well, take those big clodhoppers somewhere else. You’re crowding me.”
He looked like he wanted to say something, glanced at Maya, then sighed and moved to the other side of the table.
They all took their seats and ate. Maya next to Dex. Riley and Anson across the table from each other, and Jack and Ann grinning like fools, making suggestive comments about Dex and Maya that she found amusing, not irritating. Oh man, she had it bad.
Unfortunately for Riley, it seemed Anson felt something for her too.
