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I jerked my head up. “What?”
“You’re just over there smiling and laughing to yourself.”
“Sorry, I’m kind of…still somewhat drunk.”
His brow arced and we both caught the faint sound of footsteps in the front hall. They paced back and forth and faded out. He cleared his throat softly, the space between his collarbones constricting.
“Have you ever eaten a hard candy?” I asked.
His lips parted and there was a long silence. I was slowly becoming aware that the Cosmo I’d put back right before the game started was hitting my bloodstream.
My head spun pleasantly and I had the intense urge to giggle.
“I don’t know.”
“Really?”
He gazed at me for a long moment, face blank.
“I can’t tell if you’re being euphemistic,” he said.
That jolted me, making me flush. If I hadn’t been drunk I would have apologized and probably walked out, but I was feeling exceptionally stupid.
“What does that mean?” I pressed.
He shook his head once.
“Can I ask you another question.”
He didn’t say yes, but he didn’t say no. He just waited. Before I could open my mouth and ask him something wildly inappropriate that I was going to regret tomorrow, the door swung open to reveal Caden.
“Tag, you’re it, motherfuckers,” he drawled.
“It’s hide and seek, asshole,” said Merrick, stepping out of the closet.
I stumbled out, blinking, and we handed our wristbands over to Caden. He had a whole collection on his arm so I guessed we probably wouldn’t have long before the game wound down.
“I’m going to have a glass of wine,” I said.
Merrick’s hand shot out and closed around my wrist.
“No, you’re going home,” he said.
Caden walked away without another word, onto the next thing. I gave Merrick the biggest pair of puppy eyes I could muster, but he remained unswayed.
“You are very drunk. And tired.”
“Merrick, please.”
“It’s past midnight.”
I relented, nodding. The thought of having a hot shower and crawling into bed with some ice water did sound tantalizing.
We left the study and Merrick located Mrs. Bach to thank her for the party while I found my shoes. Then he helped me downstairs and settled me into the passenger seat of the Audi.
“Jesus, it’s hot,” he said, getting in and flipping on the air conditioning.
We were both quiet on the drive home. When we pulled up to the front door where he always dropped me before putting the Audi away, he put the car in park.
