Page 50 of Speechless
J.T. snapped his fingers before pointing at me. “Hey, that’s a great idea. I’m going to do that.”
I shook Amanda off before grabbing his hand. “No, J.T., you don’t have to do that. You were kind enough to let us use your bar tonight. I’d be happy to do the tattoo for you, no charge.” I reached into my purse and handed him a business card. “Just call the shop and we’ll set it up.”
“I don’t mind bidding,” he said, putting the card into his shirt pocket. “It’s for a good cause, and I’m all about supporting the community.”
“Hey, man. Good to see you. You were locked in your office when I got here.” Mav shook J.T.’s hand while pulling him into a half-hug. “We can’t thank you enough for doing this.”
Mav slipped his arm around my waist and I couldn’t help stealing a glance at him. Mistake. He looked even sexier than he had slipping out of my hotel room the morning after the hottest sex of my life.
Snug black jeans, black boots, steel gray button-down shirt. Nothing fancy, but damn, he wore it well.
J.T. raised his hands. “Happy to help out. Now, what can we do to help you guys? I’ve got full staff tonight, so just start giving us directions.”
“You mind if I take a minute to go over a few things with Codie?” Mav asked. “We’ll catch up with you in a bit and go over the plan for tonight.”
“Sure thing, guys. Take your time.”
“Oh, I see Jack over there,” Amanda said, waving at my ex. “I think I’ll see if he needs any help setting up.”
Mav turned around. “Jack? As in your ex?”
I grabbed his chin, forcing him to look at me when I caught him scowling at Jack. “He’s my friend. And one hell of a tattoo artist. He does this fundraiser with me every year.”
Closing his eyes, he drew a deep breath. “Just how close are you two, Codie?”
“Are you serious right now?”
He finally opened his eyes and glared at me. “Deadly.”
“I have a lot of malefriends,” I said, emphasizing the word between clenched teeth. “It’s hard not to, in a male dominated business. And Jack is a big part of the reason I get to do this at all, so if you’re thinking about giving him a hard time tonight, don’t.”
He grabbed my arm, inching me out of the way of a tattoo artist with a large rolling cart.
“You know what it does to me, seeing you with the guy…” He tipped his head back, looking at the ceiling. “You fell in love with… after me.”
I’d never told him I loved Jack, though I had. Not in the same way I loved Mav. I’d never loved anyone like that, but it didn’t negate the fact Jack had been the guy to help me get over Mav. A feat I thought was still impossible at the time.
“I’m not going to apologize for getting on with my life afteryoudumpedme.” But I knew if his ex-girlfriend was here tonight, I’d been spitting green venom too. You couldn’t be as wrapped up in another person as Mav and I had been, and apparently still were, without feeling possessive.
“I’m not asking you to apologize, but Jesus Codie, you really expect me to make nice with the guy who got to sleep with you every night while I was dreaming about you?”
Ugh, I hated how just a few words could make me all… gushy, ‘cause I was not a soft chick.
“Mav.” I curled my hand around his bicep, instantly regretting it. It reminded me how strong and powerful he was now, how amazing it had felt to be wrapped up in his arms, and how much I still wanted him. “We’ve obviously got a lot to work out, but can we just get through tonight without letting our drama take away from the real reason we’re here, please.”
He swore softly before lacing his hand through mine. “I hate not knowing where we stand. I want to know you’re coming home with me tonight, that you’re as committed as I am to working through this shit so we can get on with our lives, together.”
“My girl,” Jack drawled, sneaking up behind me and resting his hands on my hips.
Ugh, Jack’s timing couldn’t have been worse, and I felt the tension in Mav’s body immediately. The last thing I wanted was to have to referee these two all night, but I refused to allow a brawl to detract from the real purpose of this evening.
Mav’s gaze immediately fell to Jack’s hands, sending a clear message without saying a word.Back. Off. Asshole.
Jack chuckled before raising his hands. “Amanda told me you guys were a thing now. I just had to see for myself.”
“Now you’ve seen—” Mav said, before I planted a hand on his chest, warning him with my eyes to shut his mouth.
“Jack,” I said, slipping my arm through his. “I’d like you to meet Mav Stone.”
