“He’s a fucking idiot,” I say. I lean forward and take her chin between my fingers. “I’m the only creep in a mask you’re allowed to fall for.”
It comes out before I realize what I’m saying. Yet before I can take it back or correct myself, I feel her smile against my lips.
“Is that what’s happening?” she asks softly.
I release a jagged breath in a shit attempt to keep my cool. “I fucking hope so,” I breathe.
Our lips meet with a kiss that warms my chest and aches my decrepit heart.
I’m still getting used to the harsh sunlight from the eastern window on the other side of the pool house in the mornings. It cuts over the world's edge and stretches across the ground until it reaches this room, where the amber light seems to melt over every surface. I’ve cursed it this week. Put a pillow over my head. Tried throwing a sheet over the window to try and stifle it.
But if that light wants to cascade over her beautiful body as it’s doing right now, who am I to argue?
Andi fell asleep in my arms, and I hadn’t bothered waking her up to go back to her room.
To hell with anyone that might have said something against us last night.
There was no way I was leaving her.
However, with a new day rising, I know we have to leave what we are in the dark. I can’t tell Reed before this show run and chance him freaking out.
Maybe after…
I shake my head at the possibilities. It’s too early to make life decisions.
With a kiss on her cheek, I rise from the bed, trying not to wake her, and she only stirs enough to squeeze the pillow in her arms tighter.
I need to check out the house and see who’s home so I can get her out of my bed without looking suspicious.
My shirt is hanging over the back of the barstool. I grab it and shove it over my head, and just when I start out the door, I see Reed’s mom coming out of the house through the sliding doors.
Looks like I woke up just in time.
She meets me halfway across the pool deck with two cups of coffee.
I hope to hell I don’t look like I just spent the night fucking her stepdaughter into the next decade.
“Morning, Maddox,” Tina says, smiling broadly. She’s wearing an oversized sweater and linen shorts, her blonde hair pulled up in a clip at the back. “I was just bringing this out to you. I know that the sun is blaring in the mornings through those windows. It can be hard to get your bearings sometimes. Reed only got home a couple hours ago.”
Thank fuck I got my ass moving this morning.
“Morning, Mrs. Matthews,” I say, my voice still raspy as I haven’t quite woken up. She extends the cup of coffee to me and peers me over the rim as she sips her own. She and Reed have the same stark blue eyes, and it’s those eyes that are humorously scrutinizing me right now.
I take a sip of the hot liquid. “Your eldest son is an animal.”
“He certainly can be.” Her gaze washes over me, lingering slightly on my neck. “Didyouhave a nice night?”
“I did,” I answer. “Tried to get back early. I can’t party like I used to.”
“No. Though, you can still swoon girls into your bed, can’t you?” She tilts her head amusedly, and my brows narrow at the accusation.
“You have lipstick on your collar, son,” she says. A soft snicker sounds from her, and she turns on her heel. “It’s a plum shade, too. Our Andi likes that shade of lipstick. Perhaps she and your overnight friend can exchange which brand has the best.”
Fucking hell.
“Your sweatshirt is dry if you want it,” she calls back.
I definitely want it.
