“Ease up, man. We’re just having some fun.” Quinn winks and heads for the stairs. “Let’s get some drinks!”
I smile at Flip—I’m sure it’s slightly manic—and keep my eyes on his chin so I don’t accidentally ogle his bare chest. “Seriously, I’m good.” I give him the thumbs-up. If Cammie could see me now.
By the time Flip and I make it to the kitchen, Quinn already has a cooler.
“Tally likes cider and margaritas,” Flip says.
“Got them right here.” Quinn holds up one of each.
“Thanks.” I didn’t realize Quinn paid attention to that kind of stuff, but then we do have fajita night a lot at Rix and Tristan’s.
The three of us head down the hall to the pool and hot tub. “Is Kellan coming?” I ask.
“Yeah, he just had to make a phone call, he’ll be down in a bit,” Quinn confirms.
I duck into the change room to put on my bikini, which is when I realize I packed the wrong bottoms. “Fuck, fuck, fuck.” I stare at the pale blue thong, trying to manifest more fabric. Obviously I fail. “Just cover up with a towel. It’ll be fine.” I grab one of the huge blue towels, wrap it around my body, and leave the safety of the change room.
Quinn and Flip are sitting on opposite sides of the hot tub.Both heads turn my way.Oh Charles and Arya, if only you could see me now. I’m literally living their fantasy.
“You can hang your towel right there.” Quinn helpfully points to the nearby hooks.
“Cool, thanks.” I try to angle my body so my entire ass, which Flip has already seen, isn’t facing them as I unwrap the terry and drape it over the hook. I quick-walk to the hot tub and step in. “Oh, this feels nice.”
“Sure does,” Quinn replies, eyes moving over me briefly before shifting away.
I glance at Flip, who doesn’t look particularly happy. I wish the vibe wasn’t so tense. Or maybe it’s me making it that way. I position myself between Quinn and Flip.
Quinn pours me a margarita, then sinks back into the water and stretches his arms along the back of the hot tub. Flip mirrors the movement. I’m slightly closer to him, so his left hand is near my shoulder blade. They’re big guys, they need space, and draping their arms over the cool tile would keep them from overheating.
“How’s that friend of yours out in Pearl Lake? The one you brought to Dred and Connor’s wedding? She’s fair, like our Tally.” His fingers brush my shoulder.
I perk up at theour Tallyreference. His tone isn’t possessive. It doesn’t hold warning. There is no vibe. It’s all in my head.
Quinn glances at me, then looks back to Flip. “You mean Lovey?”
“That’s the one. Yeah. You’ve been friends a long time.” Flip takes a swig of his beer.
“Our whole lives, yeah. She’s doing great. She’s running a charity hockey event this weekend.”
“That’s too bad.”
Does Flip want Lovey here for personal reasons? Why is my brain spinning all these scenarios that now include a Flip-Lovey-Quinn sandwich?
“Yeah, she would have loved it here.”
“I’m sure.” Flip drains his beer.
“I can get you another one!” I offer. I just want the tension to ease up. I set my drink on the edge of the tub and start to pull myself out of the water, then realize I’m about to flash Flip my ass again.
Water sloshes behind me and Flip’s hand is suddenly on my hip, squeezing gently. “I got it, kitten. You stay right where you are.”
I freeze, halfway out of the water. His warm, slightly calloused palm is touching my bare skin. Quinn’s gaze locks on Flip’s hand. He squeezes briefly before reaching around me, his chest brushing my arm as he grabs a fresh beer from the cooler.
Kellan appears, also carrying a cooler. “This place is awesome.”
“Right?” Quinn agrees.
Kellan’s gaze darts between Quinn and Flip as he joins us. “Everything cool here?”
