Page 85 of His North Star
“Don’t you dare,” I warned, halfheartedly pounding my fists on his back. “You’re going to trip and we’ll both fall to our deaths.”
“We won’t die,” he said drily.
“Still.”
“Nah.” He moved up the stairs, albeit at a slower pace than when he held the bucket.
“I thought I was the boss.” My words came out breathy with each bounce of the stair.Well lookee there, his behind right in my line of vision.
“Changed my mind,” he puffed out. “I want to be boss.”
“Oh please, you already are. But seriously, you need to put me down before I puke.”
He didn’t slide me off his shoulder until we were in the master. He kept his hands around my waist once I was on my feet.
“You still feel like vomiting?” he asked, a slight smile on his lips.
I weakly pushed against his chest. He didn’t let go. “No.”
“Good.” He nodded once. “Then let’s get back to work.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I already decided that.”
“Yes, and as boss, I’m reaffirming.”
“I’m boss,” I stubbornly replied.
He smirked. “We’re co-bosses, all right? Now get to work.” He playfully swatted my backside.
My eyes went as wide as the moon, my body flushed with warmth. “Is that how we’re going to play this?”
A not-so-innocent expression crossed his features. “Guess so.”
I pulled away, bent down, dipped my finger into the paint, and flicked it at his shirt. “I’m boss. Admit it,thenlet’s get to work.”
He swiped at the blob dripping onto his clothes, then captured me in his arms. I squealed and wiggled, playfully trying to get away. He wiped the paint on my nose.
“Not my face,” I protested, squirming to get out of his embrace. “I have to work tonight.” Ty’s grip was too strong. He pulled me so my back was flush against his chest.
“We’re co-bosses,” he whispered against my neck.
Goosebumps erupted over my skin. “Never.”
“Looks like we’re at an impasse.”
I let my limbs relax. My unexpected weight caused Ty to stumble forward. He tightened his hold on me rather than letting go. We both fell to the ground, Ty landing on top of me. My outstretched arm landed on the tip of the paint pan, flipping it over. Paint sprayed on both of us.
Well, there went my plan of not showering before the bonfire tonight.
I pushed out a chuckle through Ty’s crushing weight. His chest rumbled against my back as he, too, laughed. He got his arms out from under my stomach, flipping me over in the process. He hovered over me, a humorous gleam in his eye.
“That was a dirty trick,” he said.
I didn’t plan to fling paint everywhere. But you better believe I would do what it took to get away. “I never said I’d fight fair.”
“Are we fighting?”
“Not if you admit I’m boss.”
