Grave Concerns by Lily Harper Hart Read Free Book Online Page A

“John wishes he could see you naked. If John ever sees you naked, I’m going to have to cut his eyeballs out. Maybe I should cut his fingers off so he can’t open doors, too.” Nick lost himself in revenge fantasies, only snapping back to reality when Maddie shifted her hand to her hip and glared at him. “What was I saying, love?”
    “You were just about to explain how I’m going to be the laughingstock at breakfast,” Maddie replied, her cheeks burning at the thought of Sharon and Don knowing what she and Nick were about to do when John entered the cabin. “Oh, man … do you think they’ll try to talk you out of dating me?”
    “That right there is adorable,” Nick said, tweaking Maddie’s nose. “Do you think they’re unaware of what we’ve been doing?”
    “I … well … no,” Maddie hedged. “It’s just … John saw us.”
    “John saw us the first time we did it,” Nick reminded her. “He walked into my bedroom without knocking then, too. I really do need to cut his fingers off.”
    “Yes, but we’re supposed to be on a family outing,” Maddie said. “We weren’t doing anything family friendly. If we were a television show, we’d be on HBO.”
    Nick burst out laughing. He couldn’t help himself. “Oh, love, you are my favorite person in the world.” He cupped her heart-shaped face and kissed her. “My parents are well aware that we have sex. They don’t need John to tell them that we’re … doing the deed.”
    “But … .”
    Nick silenced her with another kiss. “I’m pretty sure they figured out we were having sex before this morning,” he said. “In fact, since the whole town was running a pool for when we finally did do it, I’m thinking they’ve known for a few months now.”
    “Fine. Make fun of me.” Maddie made a face that was so comical Nick had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing. “I still think they’re going to think I’m loose.”
    “Well, I’ll buy you a T-shirt with a scarlet A on it just so there won’t be any future confusion,” Nick said, tugging Maddie’s hand so they could resume their walk. “My parents don’t care that we were naked, Mad. Technically, we weren’t doing anything but kissing.”
    “Oh, please,” Maddie scoffed. “You were ramping up to do something.”
    “Yes, well … you can’t arrest a man for intent.”
    “I still think your mother is going to be horrified,” Maddie said.
    “I think you’re going to find that your embarrassment is misplaced.”
    A multitude of faces swiveled in their direction as they crested the hill and moved toward the campsite. John held court next to the fire, his back to Nick and Maddie as they approached, and he was clearly having a good time relating his story.
    “And then Nick threatened to kill me if I didn’t leave,” John said, waving his hands for emphasis.
    Nick cleared his throat, taking John by surprise.
    “Oh, hey,” John said, his cheeks turning crimson. “I was just talking about how excited I am for breakfast.”
    “I heard,” Nick said, nonplussed. “I have a feeling you and I are going to have another talk.”
    John scowled. “Come on, man,” he said. “I’m stuck out here entertaining the oldsters and the youngsters while you get to cuddle up next to Maddie every night. I need to get my thrills somewhere.”
    “I’m going to get my thrills by beating the snot out of you,” Nick threatened.
    “I see you two are getting along like you normally do,” Sharon said, rolling her eyes as she moved between Nick and Maddie. “Don’t let the competitive streak my children insist on having upset you, Maddie dear. They can’t help themselves. It’s a man thing.”
    Maddie pursed her lips, embarrassment washing over her. “I guess. Um … I’m sorry.”
    Sharon knit her eyebrows together. “About what?”
    “She’s mortified that John burst into our cabin this morning and she thinks you’re all whispering about her being loose,” Nick supplied, squeezing