“Addison used to have a bookcase that sat in front of the window in her apartment, but she took it with her when she moved.”
“Okay.”
I sighed and went for it. “And it looks into your place. How did you not notice?”
Good one, Olivia. Distract him with a question.
Tommy got up and walked back to look outside. “Hmm. So it does. I guess I never took the time to pay attention.” He whirled around. “But it seems like someone has.” His eyes were sparkling with humor.
“I only know because Addison warned me that she had taken the bookshelf.”
He sauntered over to me and rubbed his chin. “Something tells me you’re not speaking the whole truth.”
I pushed the covers off and stood. “I need to shower. We have Brook Days today. We wouldn’t want to keep the locals waiting.”
Tommy snagged me in his arms and grinned at me. “You spied on me, didn’t you?”
“Spied is a strong word. More like accidentally saw you as I was walking by.”
“And did you keep walking?”
I looked around, not meeting his eyes. “No.”
“So, you spied on me.” He ran his nose along my neck. “What was I doing? And how did I not see you?”
“You don’t pay attention, remember?”
“Oh, baby, I pay plenty of attention when it comes to you.” He hiked me up higher so that my cleft rubbed against his now-hard cock.
I sighed. “My place was dark. You had the lights on and were undressing.” I arched my neck, so he had better access. “I’m only human,” I confessed.
“Was this before you came over to me that first night?”
“Yes.”
My back hit cold glass, and I squeaked. “What are you doing?”
“Giving Maddox and Addison a show,” he said, setting my butt on the edge of the windowsill.
“What?” I tried to squirm out of his embrace.
He threw his head back and laughed. “Relax. They didn’t even stay at Addison’s place last night.”
I stopped trying to escape his embrace. “And you know this how?”
“He texted me last night. They felt bad because they’re going to have someone watch the boys today, too.” He pushed my legs open. “Now, let me in, and let’s pretend like we’re giving the neighbors a show.”
31
Tommy
“I wasn’t expecting such a big crowd,” I said, looking around. I was surprised to see how many people were here for Brook Days.
“We often have people come from out of town to celebrate. A lot of the residents invite family and friends.”
“I wish you had told me about the chili cook-off. I make some great chili.”
Olivia looked up at me in surprise. “You do?”
“Sorry, man. I haven’t had it for so long; I forgot to tell you about it,” Maddox said.
“It’s fine,” I told him. “I would have had to do a lot of preparing for it.” I looked down at Olivia. “And, yes, I do. Maybe, someday, I’ll make it for you. Unless you don’t like it.”
“No, I do.”
“Can you handle spicy?”
She looked insulted. “Of course I can.”
I smiled. “Okay. Extra-spicy chili coming your way. Someday.”
“I look forward to it,” Olivia said to me and turned to our friends. “So, what do you two usually do when you’re here?” she asked Maddox and Addison.
“Maddox always plays flag football.”
“Count me in for that,” I said.
“There’s also a baseball game or two.”
I shook my head.
“And there are a lot of smaller games. Like horseshoes, mini-golf, and a three-legged race. The big bouncy house is for kids, but you’re more than welcome to jump in,” Maddox said.
“After you,” I said.
The four of us walked around when we came across an event about to start soon.
“Oh, I want to do the three-legged race,” Addison said.
“Sounds semi-fun,” Maddox said.
“Not with you. You’re way too tall. I meant, with Olivia.”
Olivia smiled. “Let’s do it. Do we get anything if we win?”
“I think we all get a prize when we’re done whether we win or lose, but it’s probably a kid prize.”
“Nuts. I was hoping for some healthy competition.”
“Maddox, why don’t you and Tommy race against us?” Addison asked.
“Because it wouldn’t be fair.”
“How so?” she asked her husband.
“Flash and I worked together for years. We had to learn each other’s body language. When we were on missions, we were in sync. The two of us together are like a well-oiled machine.”
“Please.” Addison rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, that sounds like a bunch of BS that’s code for I don’t want people to see me fall flat on my face,” Olivia said.
I laughed at Maddox’s less than impressed face. “Look, I mean, Mad Dog has a point. I don’t think you want to take us on.”
Addison looked at Olivia. “They’re calling each other by their stupid nicknames, as if that’s supposed to intimidate us.”
“Fine,” Maddox said. “We’ll race you.”
Addison clapped her hands. “Yay.”
“But we’re going to bet on it. If you and Olivia lose, you two have to do something for Flash and me. And if you win, vice versa.”
“How about losers make dinner tonight?” Addison suggested.
Olivia shook her head. “That’s not good enough. We already know that Tommy can cook. It has to be something they don’t want to do.”
“Not if we did naked butlers.”
Olivia pointed at Addison. “I like the way you think.”
Maddox swung his arm between the two women. “What the hell are naked butlers, and how do you know about them?” He directed the last part of his question at his wife.
“I’m married, not dead, Maddox.” She patted his arm. “Don’t worry. I’ve never seen any in real life.”
“Which is why this would be fun,” Olivia added.
“You still haven’t told us what they are,” I said.
“In addition to cooking, you will wait on Olivia and me all night. But you only get to wear an apron and a bow tie.”
“Don’t forget the cuffs,” Olivia said.
“Yeah, because that’s the important piece of clothing to put on while our asses are literally hanging out,” Maddox said.
“Hey, it completes the outfit,” Addison said.
“No deal,” he said.
She stuck out her lower lip. “Boo. You’re no
