Take a Chance on Me(63)

“Not a morning person, is she?” a lazy voice drawled. Maddie dropped her hand to stare into Sam Roberts’s amused face. He sat across from Mitch, long, denim-clad legs stretched out, one hand hugging a coffee cup.

Of course. What was breakfast with Mitch if not another new humiliation? This town was custom-made to put her in awkward situations. She glared at Mitch, who grinned like the cat who ate the canary. “Do you ever have breakfast alone?”

He shrugged. “They’re big fans of the drop-in.”

“From the looks of her, she should be in a much better mood,” Sam said, clearly entertained.

Maddie crossed her arms over her breasts. She might as well be naked in her skimpy tank top and cotton shorts.

“No need to be shy.” Sam winked at her. “I saw you last night, although you were considerably less rumpled.”

She rolled her eyes. “Isn’t it polite to allow a girl some dignity?”

“What do you mean, last night?” Mitch asked at the same time, eyes narrowed on Sam. A muscle jumped in his forearm as his fingers tightened around his mug. “Don’t even tell me that’s what you were wearing.”

“I was sitting on the front porch when he came home.” She ran her hand through her disheveled hair, getting caught in the wild mass of tangles.

Sam gave Mitch a sly, devious smile. “Not my fault you left her alone for just anyone to come take a peek.”

Mitch’s attention snapped to Maddie. She refused to fidget under his scrutiny. One golden brow rose.

Maddie huffed. “I don’t need to explain myself to you.”

“Hmmmm . . .” Mitch gave her a through once-over.

Maddie’s chin shot up. “This is your fault, not mine!”

Sam scrubbed his blond, stubbled jaw. “She’s got a point.”

“I suppose she does,” Mitch said, but his tone spoke of a different story. Those amber eyes told her without words that she’d be paying later with his own delicious brand of torture.

She shivered at the thought, toes practically curling in anticipation. She was going to hell.

And it was totally worth it.

Mitch flashed a cocky, knowing smile.

Maddie wanted to stick her tongue out, but that’d only make her look petty.

“Need some coffee, Princess?” Mitch asked. The chair scraped against the floor as he got up from the table. He stood in front of her, staring down at her with that look on his face.

She swallowed.

Then he was on her, kissing her. His hard body pressed against hers.

Right in front of Sam.

She squirmed, but he held her still, hands firm on her hips so she couldn’t move. All she could do was fight to not get sucked under. Desire made her head spin as memories from the night before mixed with the heat of his lips. She gripped the counter in back of her, refusing to twine herself around him.

When he pulled away, she chased his mouth, jerking when she realized what she was doing.

Mitch grinned. “I get final outfit approval.”

She straightened with as much dignity as she could muster and said haughtily, albeit breathlessly, “You most certainly do not.”

“We’ll see about that, won’t we?”

“Yeah, we will.”

The phone rang. Laughing, he reached around her and picked up the receiver. He smelled mouthwatering, like soap, spice, and man. She wanted to take a bite of him. Instead, she ducked under his arm and ran for the coffee machine.

“What?” Mitch said to his caller, running his hand through his hair.

Maddie grabbed a mug and poured some coffee before scooting into the chair at the table.

Sam’s smile was all innocent, his cornflower-blue eyes guileless as those of a newborn foal. “Nice night?”

She scowled, narrowing her gaze. “You don’t fool me.”

“I don’t know what you’re referring to.” His lips quirked as though he was trying not to laugh.

She waved a hand over him. “Your choirboy act.”

Now he chuckled outright. “Honey, I’m about as much a choirboy as you are a good girl.”

Heat flooded her cheeks, and she distracted herself by taking a sip of coffee. When she was more composed, she said, “You and your sister are cut from the same cloth.”

“I’m the more subtle of the two.”

“More devious,” she muttered under her breath.

“That’s another word.” Sam grinned.

“And shameless.”

“I’ve never seen the point in shame,” Sam said, and pointed to her. “You’ve got mud in your hair.”

She laughed. The sound came from out of nowhere, surprising her. These people were truly crazy.

“Are you f*cking kidding me?” Mitch’s hard voice broke through her enjoyment.

Maddie whipped around in time to see him slam down the phone. His gold eyes flashed with what looked a lot like fury, but before she could ask what had happened, he stalked out of the room.

She exchanged a glance with Sam. He shrugged, but strangely, didn’t look surprised.

Maddie nibbled on her bottom lip. Did she follow Mitch? Give him space? What was the protocol? She blew out an exasperated breath. Screw protocol. She got up and headed in the direction he’d disappeared.