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Irun my hands over my short, flirty black skirt and twist to check the length in the mirror again.I’mnot exactly used to dressing for these kinds of events.ButIpicked this outfit up before leavingAshford, just in case.AndnowI’mgladIdid.Inever would have worn something like it whenIwas withPhillip.Thebacklash would never have been worth it.
SatisfiedthatIwon’t be flashing anyone the sexy lace lingerieI’mwearing,Ipop my lipstick into my purse and head for my bedroom door.Consideringhow low-maintenanceBeauandDevonare, they’ve probably been waiting on me for a while.
Ihead down the hallway, but my feet stutter to a stop whenIspot them, my breath catching in my throat.
They’resitting in the living room,Beauon the couch andDevonin the armchair next to him, laughing together as they play their instruments.Theylook as gorgeous as usual, wearing dark, fitted jeans andV-neckT-shirts, with blazers over the top which somehow pushes their hotness levels to a new high.Devon’sfingers are moving smoothly over the strings of his guitar, whileBeaupicks out a counterpoint on his bass.Themusic is raw, unpolished.Itisn’t one of their finished songs, they’re just messing around—idly passing the time while they wait for me.Yetit still sounds so good,Ican’t help but stand there for a moment to take it in.
Buteven though the music is beautiful, it’s the happiness on their faces that kindles warmth deep in my chest.Thebond between them is so strong.Ilove that they have each other, especially with this crazy life they lead.
Afterenjoying another minute of watching them play,Ipurse my lips and wolf-whistle, causing both men to look over at me.
Awide smile creasesBeau’scheeks, and he puts his bass down and stands. “Lookat you,ShaeBear.Allgrown up.”
“I’vebeen grown up for a while,Beau.Aboutas long as you.”Itilt my head and squint at him. “Although…”
Helaughs, but my focus is drawn toDevon, who’s standing now as well, the neck of his guitar gripped in his hand so tight his knuckles are white.
Mysmile falters a little.Ishe upset?
Hedoesn’t say anything to start with, his gaze sweeping over me.Then, “Fuck,Shae.We’regoing to have our work cut out for us tonight.”
Icock my head. “Whatdo you mean?”
“Keepingthe men away from you.”
Igive a small snort. “Didn’tyou hear?I’mall grown up.Youdon’t need to look out for me.”
“We’llalways look out for you,Bambi.”Helowers his voice and holds my gaze, and my heart does a little spasm in my chest.
“Whenare we leaving?”Iask through suddenly dry lips asDevonsits back down, bends his head over his guitar, and starts playing again.
Beaudrops onto the couch and picks up his phone from the coffee table in front of him. “Thecar’s coming in about twenty minutes.”
“Okay.”Imove over to where they’re sitting and perch on the arm of the couch to watchDevonplay.
Hekeeps tipping his head to the side because he’s grown his hair longer and his fringe is falling into his eyes.Withoutthinking,Ireach over and run my fingers through it, brushing the silky strands back for him.Whenhis gaze flashes up to meet mine,Ismile a little self-consciously. “Youneed a haircut.”
“Areyou offering?”Hesmirks.
Ilaugh, remembering the time he wanted a buzz cut, and his aunt wouldn’t let him, so he asked me to do it.Ithadn’t ended well. “Ithink you can do better these days.But…”Itouch his jaw and turn his face toward me, his stubble rasping pleasantly across my fingertips. “Icould do some eyeliner for you both.”
Oneof his dark brows arches. “Eyeliner?”
“Ithink we got past the punk rock stage a couple of years ago,”Beausays from behind me.
Ilook over my shoulder at him. “Oh, come on.Don’tyou remember whenIput eyeliner on you for prom?Thegirls loved it.Youknow how pretty it makes your eyes.”
Beausnorts at that.
“Andit’s not like rock stars can’t get away with wearing makeup.Weren’tyou wearing it in your last music video?”
Beaugives a fake sigh of defeat and slouches back in his seat. “Fine.Imean, it’ll be hard to make me prettier thanIalready am.Butdo your best.”
Smiling,Irummage around in my purse untilIfind the eyelinerIkeep in there for makeup emergencies.Devonhasn’t said yes or no yet, soImove betweenBeau’slegs.
Ibrace myself with one hand on his shoulder and tip forward to trace around his right eye.It’san awkward position, and whenIpause for a moment, he grabs me by the waist and tugs.
“Geton the couch.Iwon’t bite.Unlessyou want me to.”Hegives me a wolfish grin, andIshake my head.Beauis an incorrigible flirt.
