“Thank you all for being here.” He shifted his full attention to Carly, his untamed energy drilling into her. “I’ve missed you.” She held his gaze, the air crackling with wild energy. Then, he raised his bottle. “I’m no hero. I’m just a guy doing his job. Thanks for being here to welcome me home.”
After glasses were raised and drinks were downed, he stepped off the chair. As his foot hit the floor, he winced and grabbed the back of his thigh. “I need some air.”
He’s one Hott mess. Instead of following, Carly took the lead. She curled her fingers around his hard biceps and nudged her way through the tight crowd.
In that moment, she didn’t care that he’d seen her half-naked with two men. Maybe it was time they discussed sex. Over the years, they’d talked about everything else. She wasn’t ashamed, nor should she be. On occasion, she liked to get a little wild. Throw off her inhibitions and live out her fantasies. So what? It was no big deal to her. Why should it be for him?
They’d talk about it, have a few laughs, and move on. Though she remained hopeful, she wasn’t convinced he’d be joshing about her two-manned orgasm anytime soon.
Once outside, the cacophony of voices faded away. The late summer breeze blew through her hair and cooled her clammy skin. She eased away from the door and spied a just-vacated table, dirty plates and glasses not yet cleared away.
“Come on.”
Ashton was in turmoil, something she was familiar with. Only, years ago, the distress had been from loss, not injury. Because he viewed pain as a sign of weakness, he’d hide it. She’d helped him then. She’d do the same for him now.
She piled the dishes up and moved them out of the way. “Sit.”
“What can I get you? Are you hungry?”
“Nothing, Ash.” She sat. “Someone will be by.”
As he eased onto the wrought iron chair, the tightness around his eyes faded.
An attractive woman waved from a nearby table. “Hey, Maverick. Welcome home.”
“Thank you, darlin’.”
“We should catch up sometime.”
“Absolutely.” He flicked his gaze back to Carly. “What’s shakin’?”
“I’m relieved you’re back. How’s your leg holding up?”
“All good.”
She wanted to hear the truth. Would it kill him to show some damn vulnerability? “What’s been going on?” Way to go, dummy.
He chuckled, leaned back. “You tell me. You’ve been much busier than I have.”
Ignoring that, she said, “You’re in pain.”
“So?”
“C’mon, Ashton. Talk to me.”
“We talked every week. I don’t have anything new to add to the conversation.” He hitched a brow. “You might, though.”
A server moseyed over. “Hey, guys. What can I get you?”
They ordered more beer and the waiter cleared the dirty dishes. Tapping her fingernails on the table, Carly waited. His bravado bullshit worked on everyone, but not her. He refused to make eye contact. So, she drilled into him with a piercing stare, determined to get him to open up.
Knowing him, it would be a long night.
Maverick shifted on the hard seat and fixed his gaze on the most intense hazel eyes on the planet. If Carly could ignite fire with that stare, he was confident she’d burn down the whole damn city. He knew that look. Seen it a zillion times. She was determined to get to the truth, no matter what.
That’s what made her such a damn good private eye. But he didn’t need her questioning the hell out of him. Asking probing questions about his health, his injuries, his next steps. He wanted to kick back in the midst of this party and chill with his friend.
Only the more he regarded her, the less the evening breeze cooled his skin. Damn, the woman had brought her A-game. From the flowing mane of blonde hair and dark eye makeup, to the swell of her breasts, he drank in her beauty.
