Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(34)

I head down there, tap my knuckles against the frame, and enter. My mind goes quiet at the sound of “Graceland” by Allan Rayman. Since I heard him on Mia’s playlist, I’ve listened to everything he recorded.

Mia jumps, startled, and my brain fucking freezes.

She stands by the bed. Her blonde waves dance around her face, kissing her arms before falling lower.

My attention is not on her hair for long, stolen by her body dressed in nothing but a pair of low panties cut out to accentuate the curve of her hips. She covers her boobs with her hands but isn’t doing a good job. Pale pink areolas peek between her fingers.

I think I’m having a stroke.

My heart rams in my chest so hard every beat pulsates in my fingertips. My cock hardens faster than I can blink.

I’m aware that I’m staring... silent, speechless, taking her in over again, skimming down from blonde hair, rosy cheeks, and barely parted lips to protruding collarbones and the delicate skin of her cleavage. The hourglass dent of her waist, deep navel, and round hips. Smooth legs, gold anklet, then up again, drinking in the sight. Committing it to memory.

My chest tightens so hard it’s enough to fucking choke me.

“Jesus...” I whisper on an exhale, then fill my lungs again, looking into Mia’s green eyes. “You’re beautiful, baby.”

Her body taunts me, draws me in, and tortures me in ways I never thought could cause pain.

Her cheeks blush like a well-trained sunrise, and she shudders, fighting to hold my gaze. “I didn’t say come in.”

“Fuck,” I pinch the bridge of my nose, turning away from the girl I want so much I question my sanity. “I should... I should apologize for walking in, Mia, but...” Why? Why is she so gorgeous? Why is she Cody’s? “...I can’t. I’m not sorry. I’ll let you get dressed, but not in that night dress you’ve got ready on your bed. I expect you to join us for a drink.”

“Um... okay,” she says quietly.

And I leave, bursting out of there like I’m being chased by cops. The image of her, almost naked, is burned into my hippocampus for-fucking-ever. I’m not getting it out of there even if I open my head and pour a bucket of bleach in.

I down my drink in one go, taking a seat on the piano stool. I’m mentally pep-talking myself, keeping it together until Mia comes over a minute later.

“How was the date?” Aisha asks.

“It was fine.”

Her tone is far from fine. I don’t like the insecurity radiating off her or the fact she hasn’t looked at me once. Either she’s embarrassed or still annoyed about my stunt last week.

“So? Second date material?”

Mia cringes as if the mere idea of seeing the guy again makes her nauseous. “Unfortunately, no.”

Thank fuck for small favors.

She sips the wine, then makes her way across. I think she’ll take the empty wingchair to my left, but she sits arm-in-arm with me on the piano stool. I’m relieved.

Maybe she’s not that mad.

“Okay, what happened?” Toby demands after he introduces Mia to Alex. “What did I tell you before you left? Tell me what he did.”

“He kissed me.”

I’m starting to really hate my mood swings. From aroused and calm to fuming in a flash. Violence quivers within me like a loose wire at the thought of anyone’s hands or lips on Mia’s delicate body.

“Okay, you’ll have to explain this a bit more,” Toby says, scratching his chin. “You shot him down because he kissed you on a date?”

“No. I shot him down because he can’t kiss.”

Alex bursts out laughing. “I had no idea there’s a wrong way. I mean sex, sure, either you’re good at it, or you’re not, but kissing?”

Mia crosses her legs, the movement nowhere near the iconic scene in Naked Instinct but five times more titillating. My eyes are drawn to her ankle bracelet, or rather the tattoo just above. I’ve noticed it before but couldn’t make out what it was: a word in a foreign language. Greek, I think.

“You can definitely do it wrong,” she admits. “Take Finn. His kiss was a five out of ten.”

“This is actually interesting,” Toby says, leaning back in the wing chair to make room on his lap for Aisha. “Come to think of it, I’ve had my fair share of lousy kisses, but never rated them. Do you kiss every guy at the end of the first date?”

“No. They kiss me. I let them because what’s the point in taking things further if they can’t kiss well? I like it too much to date a guy who can’t.”

My phone vibrates in my pocket, stealing my attention. Good. I’m barely keeping my hands to myself right now.

Cody: Is she back yet?

Me: Yeah. You can relax. Finn can’t kiss, so no second date. What the hell are you waiting for? Act before someone steals her from you.

If he forces my hand, it will be me.

“Alright, let’s check.” Alex gets up, pulling one of the teens with him, and shoves his tongue down her throat while his hands grope her butt.

Cody: I’m working on it. I see she told you about her rating system. You two are getting close, bro. Back off.

The fucking nerve of him. Who the hell does he think he is to see right through my bullshit?

Me: Whatever your strategy is, it’s failing.