Page 29 of Fallen Flame

I looked between them. “You came out here just so you could ogle Mason?”

Lark rested her head against the back of the chair and sighed dramatically. “He seems to be the only thing interested in me ogling it.”

Mason tugged his shirt the rest of the way down, then put both hands over his chest. “I’m off the market.”

Adley laughed and reached for his hand. “Then you need to put a shirt on before you come running outside. Otherwise, you’re just advertising.”

“I was trying to help Oliver find her.”

“And now he found her.”

Adley pulled him toward the back door.

“I’m just appreciating,” Lark called after them.

Adley laughed and lifted one hand over her shoulder. “You’re all good, girl. Reminds me that I’ve got a damn good thing.”

Mason glanced down at her. “You forget you’ve got it good?”

“Never.”

“Sounded like maybe you needed a reminder.”

“You can remind me when we get back inside.”

Mason’s expression changed immediately. He opened the door for her. “After you.”

They disappeared into the clubhouse, leaving the door to swing shut behind them.

I kept my focus on Lark.

She looked at me. I looked at her.

Her mouth twitched. “Are you just going to glare at me?”

“You’re not in your room.”

She glanced around the yard as if she was checking our surroundings. “Good observation, Ollie. What gave it away?”

“How am I supposed to keep you safe when you don’t listen to me?”

Her brow furrowed. “How did I not listen to you?”

“You’re not in your room.”

She laughed. Actually laughed. “I feel like we’re having déjà vu here. You’ve already said that.”

“This isn’t funny, Lark.”

Her laughter faded. She sighed, unfolded her legs, and stood.

The chair had hidden how tall she was. She was only a couple of inches shorter than me, enough that when she moved closer, I didn’t have to look down far to meet her eyes.

The porch light caught the warm brown of her hair, highlighting the lighter strands framing her face. She wasn’t wearing makeup, and she didn’t need it. Her skin looked soft beneath the pale light, and her full lips curved naturally at the corners even when she wasn’t smiling.

The oversized hoodie hung loose around her shoulders but couldn’t hide the shape of her body. Lark was curvy, with full hips and a softness that made the sweatshirt stretch slightly across her chest before falling to the tops of her thighs. Her dark leggings followed the curves of her legs, and thick socks covered her feet.

She folded her arms over her chest.