I Dare You (The Hook Up #1)(23)

It’s pure torture the way he guides me across the dance floor, his hold firm yet loose, his movements fluid and graceful. He’s not as horrible a dancer as he said, and I feel like he only said that to make me comfortable.

Later, after the class is done, we’re standing near the door talking as the students mill around and Ricardo ushers everyone out the door.

Bobby Gene gives us a wave as he passes us in the hallway. He looks like he might want to say more, but he gives Maverick a wide berth and calls over his shoulder that he’ll catch me later.

We decide to take the stairs instead of the elevator since it’s packed. Maverick walks next to me, his body solid and hard, and I’m feeling more powerful than I have in days.

“Want me to walk you to your car?” he asks as we reach the bottom floor.

“Uh, yeah, sure.”

Even though there are plenty of streetlights and security cameras, it is dark.

We walk toward the exit, but then I see Martha-Muffin watching us from a cozy sitting area off to the right. Her eyes are lasered in on Maverick and then they bounce to me, a slight snarl forming on her face. I must slow or stiffen because Maverick pauses and looks down at me. “You okay?”

I take a deep breath and shake my head. “It’s nothing.”

A scowl forms on his brow as he scans the open space of the lobby, his gaze landing on Martha-Muffin, who’s put her hand on her hip, openly glaring at us.

“Ah, her…” He stops and looks back at me with a grimace. “If it’s any consolation, I can’t stand her. She tried to trick her way into my bed once and I kicked her ass out. She’s been hating on me ever since.”

I can’t imagine anyone hating Maverick, and I’m glad he’s never been with her. But, seeing her just reminds me of Alex’s infidelity and the fact that while Maverick hasn’t been with her specifically, he’s still a football player with plenty of access.

We exit the building and take off across the parking lot. I’m wondering if he’ll ask me out again. What will I say? Am I still on this just friends kick?

We reach my silver Prius and he grins. “The kind of car you have says a lot about a person.”

“Is this where you say I’m pragmatic and predictable?”

He stares down at me. “Maybe. I like that about you. You’re quiet but deep. I am too. I mean, I’m popular but underneath, I’m a quiet guy.”

I bite my lip, wanting to know more. “What would you do if you didn’t play football?” I ask.

He sticks his hands in his pockets and stares up at the sky as he thinks. “Medical school, probably a neurologist.”

Ah. “Because of Raven?”

He smiles ruefully, a contemplative look on his face. “Yeah. I read everything I can about her injury, all the latest findings. It’s a complex condition, and very…personal. No two cases are ever the same. Her injuries were rather serious. She had to learn to talk and walk all over again.”

“You’re a good brother.”

He shrugs. “She’s all I have. I mean, there’s my dad, but sometimes I think he’s already given up.”

I inhale a sharp breath at his vulnerability. There’s so much more to him than everyone thinks.

We stare at each other in silence, and it’s not weird or uncomfortable, and…

I’m dying for him to kiss me.

His gaze brushes over me, lingering on my lips. “Want to do the salsa thing again next week?”

“Yeah.”

God.

I really want him to kiss me.

Which is crazy. He’s bad news…right?

He leans down and brushes his sensuous lips across mine, and for three seconds, I can’t breathe.

My body hums. My heart flies. We feel connected, as if his lips on mine were always meant to be but we’re just now figuring it out.

“Our second kiss,” he says softly, pulling back to stare down at me.

“Yeah.”

“It won’t be the last,” he says huskily, his voice sending shivers over my skin.

Then he takes my keys from me, opens my door, and helps me inside. He waits as I start the car and drive away.

The entire trip home is a blur because all I can think about is him.

What am I going to do about Maverick Monroe and how he makes me feel?





Delaney



Me: Did you see tonight’s episode of Game of Thrones? OMG.

He-Man: Yep. Now I want a pet dragon.

Me: Would you settle for a cat?

He-Man: Only if you come with it.



“I can’t believe you talked me into this party,” I mutter to Skye Friday night as I walk next to her up the sidewalk as we make our way to the baseball frat house near campus. It isn’t really a frat at all, just a huge colonial brick house donated by one of the former players from Waylon who went on to play major league baseball.

“Well, you need to get out of the house. Plus, that outfit is amazing and we can’t waste it.” She eyes the black asymmetrical knit mini-dress I’m wearing. I spent my free time this week piecing together and sewing it. Made of jersey, it’s formfitting with a band of thick cream lace on the bottom, giving it a flounce. The neckline has little hearts cut out of the fabric while the back is cut into strips, creating a peekaboo effect.