Page 79 of Stuck with Me

But all of that is done.

“Hey, Kit-Kat,” I drawl, not ready to give up on the nickname though.

“What’s got you so worked up, cowboy?” she crosses her arms and nudges her chin at the axe in my hands.

“Nothin’,” I lie, running a hand over the back of my head.

“Okay, don’t tell me.” She spins around and calls over her shoulder, “But whenever you’re finished working through whatever’s going on in that fucked up brain of yours, come inside. I have a spiked eggnog with your name on it.” She gives me a wink.

It’s flirty. It’s sexy.

I nod without saying anything else. I’m afraid of what might come out of my mouth. A compliment? An inappropriate suggestion?

And now, I gotta keep chopping wood until my hormones chill out. The last thing I want is to go in there sporting a giant-sized erection while I meet her friends for the first time.

The chopping wood irony is not lost on me.

I chuckle and shake my head before taking another swing.

CHAPTER22

Rosie

By the time Nico shuffles inside, all hot and mussy, he looks like the epitome of sex on a stick. I want to jump into his arms and demand he take me in the back room and let me ride him all night long. He’s sweaty and his face is red and blotchy. He toes off his boots and tosses his jacket, gloves, and beanie onto the drying rack by the wood stove. The sleeves of his flannel are pushed up his arms, giving me a view of his thick, corded forearms.

He catches me staring and he gives me a cocky smile.

My cheeks heat. “How was therapy?” I tease, pushing away from the kitchen counter.

“Successful.”

“Good.” Though maybe I’m a little disappointed. Because if he was still all worked up, I could think of a handful of ways to help him unwind. A few dirty and completely off-limit ways.

Dean jogs down the steps and spots Nico. “Oh, hey, man. How’s it going?”

“Designated Dean,” Nico greets.

Dean salutes him and shuffles by me, giving me a few pokes in the stomach and I laugh while swatting him away.

But when I glance back at Nico, there’s fire in his eyes. Jealousy? Maybe.

Good.

It’s my turn to flash him a cocky smile.

“Are you gonna introduce us to yourfriend, Rosie?” Cammie asks, hopping down from where she was perched on the kitchen island. But she doesn’t wait for me to do any kind of formal introductions. She sets her hand out. “I’m Camille, buy everyone calls me Cammie.”

They shake hands and he says, “Ah, Cammie. Nice to meet you. I’m Mr. Cabin-Stealer, but you can call me Nico.” He winks at her, his coy smile building.

Cammie’s cheeks pink with embarrassment. And it’s the cutest thing ever. Because it’s so Cammie.

She points at him, narrowing her eyes in amusement. “Okay, I knew I liked you.”

I need to put a stop to all this camaraderie. Sure, I want them to get along for the rest of the week, but I don’t need my friends to like Nico.

“All right, enough. Cams, sit your beautiful bony ass down next to your boyfriend.” I wave her off toward Maverick who’s sitting on the couch stewing in whatever’s got him so broody tonight. “Nico, Maverick, Maverick Nico,” I finish the introductions.

“What’s up?” Maverick nods.

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