“No,” she cuts in, still blushing. “I mean, not for a while. We fooled around when we were younger, but then things between us changed. It was never about me anymore. Just about what he wanted.”
I kiss her, tangling my tongue with hers, leaning my hips against hers, and letting her feel how badly I want her. “That’s no way to live,” I tell her, framing her beautiful face. “I lean a little more toward fun than work, but everyone deserves for the person they’re with to make them feel good.”
“And if I wanted to make you feel good?” she asks, curiosity and arousal softening her gaze.
“I’ll never stand in the way of what you want.” Though I’m not sure how much I could take of Maisie’s touch.
She tilts her head. “Staying with you is dangerous. Derek could cause you problems.”
“Getting anywhere near you is going to causehima world of problems. You’re safe here, Maisie. He isn’t getting to you, and he never will.”
“Until you finish the condo and leave for Florida.”
I frown. “Florida is?—”
“—something weallsaid we’d talk about later.”
I jump, spinning around when Wyatt’s voice comes from over my shoulder, scaring the shit out of me.
Wyatt’s gaze dips, and his eyebrow rises. “Interesting morning?”
Snatching up the nearest chopping board, I use it to hide the front of my briefs. From his raised eyebrow, it’s a waste of time. He saw more than enough. These boxers are thin. He had to have guessed what happened.
“I should go get dressed.” Maisie slips around me, giving me a glimpse of red cheeks in her rush out of the kitchen.
Wyatt steps aside to let her out, but before she can bolt up the stairs, she stops just outside the kitchen and turns around, facing Wyatt. “I baked pies. They’re for all of you as a thanks for taking care of me and giving me a place to stay.”
Wyatt’s face softens. “You don’t have to bake for us, Maisie.”
“I wanted to.” She shifts from foot to foot. “Have fun at work.”
I utterly fail at not staring at her ass when she flies up the stairs before Wyatt can respond. He turns around to face me, his face no longer soft.
He glares. “Wetalkedabout this, Hunter,” he hisses, lowering his voice as he steps into the kitchen and closes the door behind him. “She’s not ready for sex, and she’s not ready to talk about the future. Shejustmoved in here. Wewillscare her away.”
“It wasn’t sex,” I deny.
His gaze drops to the chopping board I’m using to shield myself.
“Okay, it kind of was sex, but that’s not all it was.” He opens his mouth, ready to push his point, but I talk over him. “It was fun. Something she has had precious little of with her ex. I don’t regret it, and I don’t think she does either.” I make a face. “Well, I have regrets, just not about?—”
He lifts his hand, a sign for me to stop talking. “Don’t. The less I know, the better.” He rubs his knuckles over his five o'clock shadow. “We could push her away if we move too fast.”
“But she won’t know we want a life with her if we don’t make that clear from the start.” Elias slips into the kitchen behind Wyatt. “And she needs to know it, or we risk losing her before she knows we want her.”
“What’s with the chopping board?” Knox walks in next, bouncing his gaze from my wooden shield to my face.
They’re all dressed for work except me. It’s not safe for Maisie to be alone, so today I’m staying home with her.
“Maisie.” I head for the door. “I need to grab a quick shower, and we need to talk before you guys head to work. Give me ten minutes. Maisie made pie, but I didn’t get the coffee machine started.” Maisie’s shorts shut off the ability to focus on anything but her.
“Please tell me you’re going to wash that before you put it back,” Wyatt says, pointing at the chopping board I take with me out of the kitchen.
“If that is covering what I think it is,” Knox adds with a shake of his head. “Burn it.”
Chapter 15
Maisie
