“The body shots with Callum?”
Was it me, or did he say Callum’s name with a strange lilt to his voice? I couldn’t be sure. I’d had a couple of shots at the apartment before we left to help me loosen up, but now I wascreating fake scenarios where I thought Dean wanted to do a body shot with me. If only. That was a dream. Having his tongue on me.
Shit.
“It’s hot. Are you hot?” I fanned myself with my tied shirt. It didn’t quite check off the list because I already owned it, but it was a bright red bandana shirt that tied in the back and meant no room for a bra. It showed a ton of skin, yet I was super toasty right now.
“It’s humid but not bad outside. Mack, what’s wrong? You know you don’t have to do a thing if you’re uncomfortable.” His dark brows came together as he sighed. He kept his arm around my shoulders, squeezing. “You asked if I would help you. Of course. Name it.”
“They want me to dance on the bar.” My stomach bottomed out, the thought of actually doing it making me want to puke. I’d rather face down our biggest rivals on the field while battling a hangover than get on the bar.
“Hey, Mack, listen to me, please.” He set his large hands on each of my shoulders, holding me in place. His gaze moved over my neck and bare arms before meeting my eyes. “This isn’t aboutthem.This is your list. You decide. Don’t do the bar tonight.”
“They came here to see that.”
“Fuck that. They came to support you on your list.”
I took a shaky breath before nodding. I liked his hands on my bare skin. They were rough and strong andugh.My crush on Dean would probably never go away. He was too perfect. “You’re being nice, Dean Romano.”
“Yeah?” He smiled briefly. “We can mark that off on my own playbook, yeah?Is nice.Check.”
I snorted. “You’re ridiculous.”
He shrugged and kept his hands on me. This was the longestwe had ever touched, and I was heating up. Was he not thinking about my skin like I was? I almost gasped when his gaze dropped to my chest, then down to my feet. Was he… checking me out?
“I’m assuming this outfit marks off that item?”
“Nope. I tried, but I already owned this, so it doesn’t count, according to them.”
He ran his teeth over his bottom lip as his eyes heated for one second, and my core burst on fire.He’s checking me out. Ohmygod. Be cool. Be chill.
He released my arm and spun me around. I couldn’t breathe. He twirled me as his brown eyes darkened. I had never felt so exposed. I was dying. What did he think? Why was he silent?
When I faced him again, his nostrils flared as he said, “You look good. I like the outfit.”
“Uh, thanks, yeah, I’m a fan of it.”Ohmygod.I cleared my throat, embarrassed and hot andDean checked me out.“Anyway, thanks for the help. I’m gonna go do things. Stuff. And things!”
“Mack, whoa.” He grabbed my forearm, preventing me from walking away.
I needed to escape! I was such a dork!
“Hm?” I refused to glance at him. My face had to be as red as the tied shirt, and with one look, he’d know.
“I didn’t help you at all. Why are you—am I making you nervous?”
“Mmmmmm, maybe?”
“Wait. Why?” He frowned, hard, like he really didn’t like my answer.
“Because I’m pretty sure you checked me out, and I think you’re super hot. It’s ridiculous, and you definitely looked me up and down, but I’m a dork, and I tried hiding it even though you definitely already know, and I am like so not yourtype even a little bit, which is fine, we all have our types, but now I’m talking so much and cannot stop—oh my god, kill me.”
Dean stared at me for one beat then tilted his head back andhowledwith laughter. There was nothing sexy about this laugh. It was unhinged, loud, and was so goofy it made me laugh too.
“To clarify, I definitely checked you out.” He grinned, his eyes sparkling at me. “And you think I’m hot?”
“Shut up. Shut up! That can’t be the takeaway. Damn you, Dean Romano.”
“You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
