Page 16 of Ruse
Mav opens the gate leading into the yard and casually stalks toward us, removing his sunglasses as he stops in front of us. His hair is freshly cut, short on the sides but still slightly long up top. Beautiful blue eyes leave me breathless, and if the smirk on his face is any sign, he is aware I am checking him out. Olly and Dee gasp beside me when a wicked twinkle flashes in his eyes as they roam over my body, splayed out before him in an itty-bitty bikini.
“Welcome to our humble oasis,” he calls out, holding his hands out as if showing them the house, breaking me out of my daze.
“They practically live here, asshole,” I sneer, making him chuckle loudly, not once turning away from me. It’s like he’s swallowing me whole with just his gaze, a hint of humor mixed with something I know is desire, only because I feel it too and know it’s the exact expression currently written over my face.
Again, I can’t breathe. The wicked look he’s giving me is making me dangerously hot in all the wrong places. Well, the right places, only not meant for him. As if hypnotized, I can’t stop staring into the blue depths of eyes that slightly soften his rather rugged façade. Square jaw and perfect cheek bones covered in a slight stubble, hair slightly disheveled like he ran his fingers through it after it was styled, or from the summer breeze flowing through it. Bottom line, he’s unfairly good looking.
“Well, I think I just came in my pants from all the lingering sexual tension coursing in the air,” Olly whispers to me. Only Maverick catches the end of it, his crooked smirk lifting at the corners.
My cheeks go blazing hot, unbelieving of what my best friends just let slip out.
“He’s kidding, of course. We’ve been laying out here all morning. The sun and alcohol must have gotten to him, making him delirious and prone to say shit he doesn’t mean.” I cringe at how pathetic my lame as excuse just sounded, but Maverick keeps his gaze on me.
“Well, I’ll leave you to it. Don’t overdo it, Oliver,” he says, and Oliver all but dies at the sound of his name leaving Mav’s lips.
“He knows my freaking name,” Olly whisper-squeals. “So, Maverick, are you going to the bonfire tonight?” I smack him on the arm just as he finishes his question. “Ow,” he cries out.
Donavan’s next to speak, “Yeah, you’re welcome to join us. Everyone will be there.” So, they’re ganging up on me now. I’ll keep that in mind as I remember to never invite them over again.
“Will you be there,sis?” Maverick asks, and the way he hisses the last word this time like an insult makes my breath hitch.
“Yes!” Donovan and Olly shout just as I yell, “No!”
He laughs, a low guttural chuckle. “Yes, or no?”
Dee sits up and wraps her arm around my shoulder, hugging me. “She’ll be there.”
Maverick smiles, laughing under his breath. “Then I guess I’ll see you there. Anything I can bring?”
“That hot ass will suffice,” Olly mutters under his breath. But once again, I know Maverick heard. I need to teach my friend how to whisper or, better yet, keep his mouth shut. Speechless, I shake my head. “It starts at six, but you’re welcome anytime,” Olly interjects.
“Then I’ll see you at six, Nyx.”
“It’s Phoenix,” I shout out, although I hate to admit the nickname he’s determined to give me makes my stomach knot, and not in a sisterly, mortal enemy way. “My name is Phoenix!” I call out, but he’s too far gone now and simply waves an arm behind his head.
“Nyx?” Donovan asks, curiosity gleaming in her clear blue eyes.
“Long story,” I respond, not bothering to explain further.
* * *
I needto get Maverick Carter out of my goddamn mind.
All I’ve done since I saw him earlier by the pool, is think about how ridiculously hot and incredible it would feel to have his tattooed hands roam my body, teasing me as they touched and pleased me.
I can’t be imagining this, not when I’m supposed to hate him. Maverick has trouble written on his forehead in bold red letters, and I need to write DO NOT TOUCH in bold on mine. I knew his arrival would be dangerous, only I never knew exactly how. Frankly, given my track record in recent months, I can't afford any more trouble.
Right around four o'clock, Donovan, Olly, and I headed up to my room to eat, shower, and get dressed before heading out to the beach for the bonfire.
Ruffling through my closet as Donovan shimmies into another pair of cutoffs, I grunt, throwing the few summer dresses in my hand on the floor. “I have no idea what to wear!”
"Anything you wear will look smoking hot, P,” Donovan says. “Just pick something.” She admires her ass in the mirror and gives herself a little pat before throwing on a mesh top over her neon yellow bikini top.
"Why would I want to look smoking hot, Dee?”
She rolls her eyes exasperated, as if the answer isn’t obvious. "Because of your new big bro,” she mocks. Falling back onto my bed with a thud. She casually starts flipping through the magazine she’s brought, acting as if she didn’t just insinuate I want to dress to impress Maverick.
I turn and glare at her. "As if."
