Page 85 of Reckless Hearts

I see it in the sharp inhale he tries to hide. The flush that creeps up his neck, spreading across his cheeks and all the way to the tips of his ears.

I keep my eyes on the ceiling, voice a raw rasp. “Don’t leave me.”

Chapter 27

Callie

The first thingI feel is warmth, then the heavy weight of bodies, sinking me deeper into the mattress.

The last thing I remember from yesterday is Colt and Maverick drying me off, then one of them carrying me to bed and sliding me under the covers. I must’ve passed out cold because I don’t remember anything after that.

Hot breath fans across my forehead as a nose nuzzles into the nape of my neck. My eyes flutter open to find Maverick watching me, his deep brown gaze soft and full of something that makes my chest ache.

“You look cute all groggy like this,” Maverick murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.

I bite my lip hard. I’m not the only one who looks cute. His hair’s a wild, tousled mess, sticking up in every direction. There’s something softer in his face now, something unguarded. It wraps around my heart and squeezes until it aches.

This is the boy I grew up with. My best friend. My shadow.

Colt’s lips brush against my shoulder, his breath warm on my skin.

“Morning, Sunshine,” he mumbles, his voice warm with sleep and something that curls low in my chest.

I turn to him, and his gaze locks onto mine, heavy with memories of last night. His smirk deepens, a dimple flashing.

“Alright, get up, you two,” Maverick says, swinging his legs off the bed.

Colt groans, pulling me tighter into his chest. “I don’t wanna.”

I laugh, slipping out of his hold and following Maverick until I realize I’m completely naked and squeak, grabbing the sheet to wrap around myself.

“Don’t tell me you’re shy now.” Maverick chuckles as he buttons his jeans, not bothering with a shirt.

There’s a massive difference between being naked under the cover of night and standing bare in the harsh light of day, every shadow gone.

“Just look away,” I say, still clinging to the sheet.

“Totally unfair,” Colt mutters, grabbing his shirt and pulling it over my head. It swallows me whole and smells like him… likehome.

Maverick laces his fingers with mine, helping me up. “Better?”

The hem hangs a few inches above my knees, more dress than shirt. He gives me a once-over, a frown tugging between his brows. “I’m a little jealous.”

Colt laughs behind me, getting out of bed. “As you should be, fucker.”

The tension that existed when I first arrived is gone. What remains is something playful. Teasing. Easy.

“What are you thinking about?” Maverick asks.

I dodge him, walking past and hiding my face. He reads me too well. Thankfully, our rooms are connected, and I flee to theirs, locking myself in the bathroom.

My reflection catches me off guard. Flushed cheeks. Wide eyes. Hair curling at the ends from last night’s shower. I look… wild…happy.

I wash up, borrow a toothbrush, figuring if we’re making out, this should be fine, and return to my side of the motel.

Colt and Maverick are already dressed. I stumble at the sight of them both watching me like I’m the only thing that matters. Heat slides down my spine and settles low in my belly. My mouth waters as I’m momentarily lost in the thought of lifting their shirts. I can almost feel the smooth, warm skin beneath my fingertips as I count each defined abdominal muscle they have.

Then I notice what Maverick’s holding: a sundress.

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