Page 141 of Sun-Kissed Fangs
“I think this game is fine where it is.” Nell scooted the box back onto the shelf. And then began rifling through the other trinkets within reach.
Their laughter had scattered the brief awkwardness of Harper getting stumped, but it hadn’t gone far. Maybe she only noticed because of how she was lying, but Maya had stilled. Her hand hung limply, her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and whenever she spoke, she kept her comments brief.
And she kept glancing at Harper, a thoughtful look in her eyes. As though confused. Or disappointed.
Harper should have known this would happen. The limelight could be a blessing or a curse. Under the right circumstances, it could illuminate your strengths and make you the envy of everyone stuck in the shadows. But it only needed to be tilted slightly, and then all your faults were suddenly on full display.
Right then, it didn’t just feel tilted. It felt like several spotlights were on her, all of them fixed at the most unflattering angle possible.
Once the fire burned to embers, both Nell and Evie started yawning. Harper suspected Evie would prefer staying up all night, but her eyes drooping showed that her body disagreed. And to her credit, she didn’t say anything as Harper and Maya went off to the bedroom. She just glanced after them, fingers tight around the edge of her blanket.
“Thank you for earlier. With Evie,” Harper said once Maya had closed the bedroom door. “It was nice of you. Though I wish it wasn’t necessary.”
Maya shrugged. “I don’t mind. Evie can’t help how she’s feeling. If I were her, I would have reservations, too.”
Her eyes were distant, her expression pensive.
Harper was all too familiar with that look. With the arguments that followed it. The past few days had been close to perfect, so it shouldn’t be surprising that they came with a catch.
But that look could be disarmed. Pursing her lips, Harper stepped around the bed and started lighting the candles.
Even without turning around, she knew Maya was staring. Took in the sight of Harper placing tea candles on every even surface until the room was bathed in warm light.
“Don’t know about you, but I’m getting sleepy.” Harper walked over to Maya. She brushed a finger under the hem of her t-shirt. “Would you mind tucking me in? You can take all the time you want.”
Maya sighed. “Harper…”
“Come on.” She hooked her fingers through the belt loops of Maya’s jeans, pulling her closer. “You were gone all day. I missed you. I want to show you just how much.”
Maya’s brows were still furrowed. Only slightly, but enough that her reluctance was obvious.
Was she shy? So far, their escapades had been mostly private. Maybe having other people in the house was making her hesitant.
But Harper was good at being convincing.
Keeping eye contact, she pulled her t-shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor. She wasn’t wearing a bra, leaving her naked from the waist up.
“Nell and Evie will fall asleep in no time. They won’t even notice. Besides… you know I can be quiet.”
Maya’s eyes drifted to her chest, lips parting.
Harper felt her smile turn smug. Maya might like being in charge, but that didn’t make her immune to this kind of trick. Even though it was basic, it still had an effect.
“Sit.”
Maya pushed down on her shoulders, and Harper dropped to the edge of the bed. Maya kneeled, pulling off Harper’s sweats and leaving her in just her underwear.
Harper ran her foot up Maya’s waist.
“Aw. It suits you. Being on your knees.”
Maya didn’t react. She didn’t even look at Harper when she stood again, undoing her belt and stripping down to her bra and underwear.
What the hell? Maya usually responded to her comments with either a quip of her own or swift consequence. She never ignored them.
“I’ve beenthatbad, huh?” Harper eyed the leather belt in Maya’s hand. “It’s been a while since you’ve needed to use that.”
“I don’t need to use it.” She joined Harper’s hands in front of her, wrapping the belt around them in a makeshift cuff. “I’m just making sure you won’t go anywhere.”
