Page 77 of The Drummer

Based on his expression, this is another storied point of contention.

Let’s call it Exhibit A.

“Again with the t-shirts,” he says, confirming my suspicion. “You really have a vendetta, don’t you?”

Her brows lift in a challenge as she gives each of us a thorough onceover that feels way more self-serving than she’s going for. Not gonna lie. She will win every argument with me if it involves visually undressing me like that.

She waves over us in a mock critique. “Am I wrong? You two look identical right now.”

I brace myself on the edge of the island, loving how her gaze scales my arms like she’s powerless to stop it. “Well, first of all, if you recall, I’m actually wearing his clothes, so…”

“And, second of all, I thought we already established pink polo shirts weren’t my thing,” Luke adds.

Her shoulders droop in defeat, but I don’t even get to celebrate my win before she’s back to lawyer mode.

“I didn’t say you had to dress like an investment banker. I’m just saying, would a little color or design kill you? I mean, really. It’s appalling.”

Appalling!She’s going to make an amazing great-aunt one day.

I will never grow tired of pushing her buttons.

“She just wants us to take our shirts off,” I say to Luke in a casual tone without looking away from Callie. For another direct hit, I lean back on my elbows with the sole intention of tormenting her. I even add the grin I know she loves. When her gaze scans the thin tee stretched over my chest, then drops to the newly exposed cut of my lower abs, my brain begins an internal victory parade.

I cannot wait to see how she gets out of this one. Luke is snickering as if he knows where I’m headed.

“Whatever,” she huffs in the most unconvincing deflection of all time. “You’re just mad because I don’t drool over you all the time like you’re used to.”

Ha!

Luke shoots me an obligatory warning look, but there’s no conviction in it. He’s enjoying the show too much.

“No? Really.” My tone oozes skepticism as I come around the island to face her.

She sucks in a breath when I tug my shirt over my head. As her eyes flare hot, I step into her, crowding her against the counter.

I fix my gaze on hers, more than a little turned on when the fight in her stance drains into anticipation. Lust flares in her hazel irises before she tears them away to trace the lines of my chest and abs.

“Not even a little interested?” I tease in a husky voice.

Her fingers clench and unclench in her lap. Her teeth sink into her lip.

I reach for her hand, and when she instinctively squeezes my fingers, I know she’s all in on whatever is happening right now. We’ve kissed, but never skin to skin or in front of anyone. The way her mesmerized gaze travels over my tattoos is downright addictive.

I guide her hand to my chest, and as soon as her fingers brush my skin, she takes over. I let her explore, loving how her hungry touch triggers all kinds of delicious heat.

Yeah, I’m going to say we both won this round.

Luke is practically laughing at this point, drawing us back to the present debate turned seduction. Her expression becomes almost resentful, as if it’s my fault she’s so attracted to me.

I mean, maybe it is?

“Geez. Put your clothes on. Luke’s trying to eat,” she snaps.

“I’m good,” Luke replies, and her scowl for him is almost as fun.

Her blush is the perfect ending to this dispute as she rips her hand away from me with a playful glare. She scoops my shirt off the ground and flings it at my chest with an indignant pout. My grin stretchesacross my face.

“And also,” she continues in a smug tone. “I don’t believe for a second that you can look like that sitting around watching TV and eating bar food, so that makes you a liar on top of everything else.”

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