“I just wanted to say I’m sorry,” he whispered in her ear, his eyes on Kyle, who now had a frown upon his face. Then Mike pulled back.
“Yeah.” She took a step back. “Okay. Kyle, this is Mike.” She gestured between the two men. “Mike, Kyle.”
Mike stuck out his hand, and Kyle shook it. Fuck. His handshake was as firm as his gaze. Zero intimidation. “So you’re Kyle. I’ve heard so much about you. More than I should.”
Maggie’s hand ran through the back of her hair as she glanced up at Mike, ‘what the fuck?’ written on her face.
“And you’re Mike. Can’t say the same,” Kyle retorted.
Mike grinned. “I find that hard to believe.” He shifted his gaze toward Maggie. “If you haven’t heard about me from Carolina, you must’ve heard about me from somewhere else. I’m everywhere.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t watch cheesy movies or read scandalous tabloids.”
Mike feigned shock. “You’re not a fan?”
Kyle returned a polite smile and shrugged.
“I’m not surprised. The majority of my audience is women. Most men are just too…jealous.” He smirked at her, and she was glowering at the floor. “However, my Maggie doesn’t watch my movies either.”
She raised her head. “Because I don’t like them.”
“Which is why I’m finally making new kinds, thanks to your brilliant ideas.”
“What are you talking about?” she inquired. Kyle’s eyes were curious, too.
“The screenplay contest. I meant to tell you this morning, but I forgot. James and the team are working on it. It’ll be out in three weeks. I’ll text you the link once it’s ready for submissions.”
Her glossy lips parted with a smile. “This is awesome.” She threw her arms around him, smiling with every inch of her face. A chill ran through his skin as her smell filled his nostrils. He squeezed her to him, his heart banging against his chest. Instinctively, his gaze lifted to Kyle’s, and the blue eyes were piercing.
Mike cleared his throat. “All right! How about you guys help yourselves to some drinks, and I’ll be right back with the stuff?”
Maggie wrapped her arms around Kyle’s waist. “Actually, Kyle doesn’t like to smoke. I’m gonna pass on the weed.”
Mike raised his brows in disbelief. He snorted, his fists on his hips.You gotta be fuckin’ kiddin’ me! What the fuck is she doing with that control freak? What does she see in him anyway?
“It’s okay, baby. I don’t mind,” Kyle said.
“You sure?” she asked.
“Yeah, you sure? Hate to get Maggie in trouble again, breaking your rules.” Mike growled the last words. “You seem to have so many of those.”
She grimaced, shifting from one leg to the other.
“As long as my baby is happy, I’m happy. I don’t care if she breaks all the rules of the universe.” Kyle pressed his mouth to hers.
Mother. Fucker.Mike stared, blood simmering, teeth clenched. He counted to ten, and the fucking kiss didn’t end. “Gonna get that weed or not?”
She pulled away, her swollen lips grinning, eyes on Kyle. “Yes.” Then she darted a dirty look at Mike. “I’m coming with.”
“I’ll get the drinks.” Kyle winked at him.
Mike turned, heat coming up his face in waves, the music suddenly too loud. He weaved his way through the crowd as he followed her strides. “Maggie, wait for me.”
She reached a corner far enough from the dance floor and spun, her stare fuming. “What the fuck was that?”
He coughed and rubbed his nose, his eyes darting around avoiding eye contact. “What?”
“Mike!”
