Beneath the Stars (Falling Stars 4)

Except I held tight.

Inhaling her deeper.

Jasmine and vanilla.

Sweet. Sweet. Sweet.

My arms constricted around her as I dealt with the rush of worry. This urge to wrap her up and hold her forever.

Fuck.

I didn’t know how the hell to do this right.

Not when my hands were tied and I had nothing to give, yet I still didn’t know how to let go.

For a beat, she melted in my arms.

Like she’d missed them.

Like she was aching to be there, too, same as I was aching to keep her there.

Her breath was a whimper when I squeezed her tiny body against the enormity of mine. Like I could swallow her up.

Finally, I released her when I felt Richard’s eyes burning up the back of my head.

Reluctantly, though.

Like a physical rendering when she peeled herself away.

Those eyes were soft fire.

Soft enough that it might be easy to convince myself neither of us would get burned if we gave in.

“So, uh, how is it?” Richard asked.

Shocked out of our trance, she took a long drink from her straw, her voice all kinds of chipper. “Oh…um…unbelievable. Shea was not exaggerating. And have you smelled these?” She lifted a little paper sack that held a muffin to her nose and inhaled. “Delicious.”

My mouth watered.

Yeah. I knew what would be delicious.

“Good. Glad we stopped then.”

He cut me a glance before he moved to the counter and put in a big order of basically everything. While I stood there staring at the girl like doing it might change our circumstances. Her smile tender and mine hungry.

My fingers still tingled with the memory of touching her while my tongue wanted to lick her up and down.

“Yo, Rhys. What do you want?”

I jerked my attention his direction. Feeling stunned and out of sorts. “Coffee’s good.”

The clerk put in the order while another was running around filling the rest. I grabbed a bag that was stuffed with pastries and a tray of drinks.

“Here, let me help.” Maggie sidled up beside me and took another tray of drinks while Richard paid and grabbed the last bag.

We all headed out into the blazing heat.

“You drive?” I asked, eyes running the row of cars parked at the sidewalk.

“Nope. I walked.”

My heart basically dropped so low it smashed against the concrete.

“Really?”

Guessed it was an accusation. My eyes narrowed. I blamed it on the force of the sun.

“Really. I needed some air.”

“Why don’t we give you a ride back?”

I mean, unless she wanted me to trail her back to the house in my car because there was no fuckin’ way I was just gonna leave her there.

God. This really was fucked.

Maggie gave a slight nod. A slight smile tipping her mouth. Knowing in her way. “Okay.”

We walked the rest of the way to my car, and she followed me around to the driver’s side.

“You can ride in the front, Maggie,” Richard offered from over the top.

“I’m pretty sure I’ll fit in the back better than you. My brother rode back here the other day, and I thought he might be stuck forever.”

“Here, let me take that,” I told her.

I set everything I was holding on the roof then took her tray of drinks.

Pulling the seat up, I set my hand on the small of her back.

You know, like the gentleman I was taught to be except I doubted very much my mama would approve of the thoughts currently racing through my mind.

Maggie shifted to the side to angle in, and I let my hand glide around to her waist as she slipped into the back. Girl fully capable, but I couldn’t do anything but take the opportunity to touch.

She breathed out a throaty sigh.

Slowing for a beat.

Wanting it, too.

Fuck.

She was wrecking me, bit by bit.

She buckled, then let those eyes meet mine. For a second, I just looked at her sitting there so pretty in my backseat.

Hoping she knew.

That she got it.

Certain she did.

I straightened then stilled when awareness prickled at my senses. I turned to look behind me, eyes huntin’ the street when I got an unsettled feeling that someone was watching us.

Discomfort and dread curled in my stomach.

When I didn’t see anything, I gathered everything back up and passed it to Richard so I could drive.

He cut me a look when I slipped into my seat.

I ignored him, turned over the engine, and took the short drive the rest of the way to the house.

Did my best at playing it cool when I helped Maggie back out.

Pretended like I didn’t notice her tight ass swaying in her black cut-off shorts as she bounded up the steps with the drinks.

I wound around to Richard’s side to help him get the rest.

He started to hand me a bag then jerked it out of my reach, his voice a low growl. “The fuck are you doin’, man?”

A frown pinched between my brow while my heart shifted into overdrive. “Taking in the coffees you wanted to get?”