Page 66 of Burning Ember

He nods slightly, in total agreement. “But it feels right, doesn’t it?”

Before our kiss can connect, Jade screeches, “What the hell are you two doing? Fucking untie me!”

The spell’s broken and I pull away. Mav’s breathing heavy and he cuts a glance once to me before he moves toward Jade. I look to the end of the bed and see two hairy legs, and then a small body as the little creature crawls across her ankle.

Jade screams. “What the fuck is that?” She starts kicking her legs. “That better not be what I think it is!”

“Fuck! Hurry, grab it!” Mav shouts.

I don’t think. I just do. I scoop up a T-shirt from the floor and while trying to dodge white skinny legs, I grab for Taz’s tarantula. Because I’m pretty sure if Jade hurts Boop, Taz is going to bury her alive.

“Got her!” I say in an excited and relieved voice as I back away from the bed.

Mav goes for the ropes and starts untying Jade.

“Is that Taz’s fucking spider?”

Boop gets halfway out of the makeshift bag I’ve made of the shirt and Jade lets out a wail befitting an actress in a horror movie.

“Was that thing crawling on my leg? Oh my God, ew, ew, ew!” In frantic movements, she brushes at her legs, then her arms and chest, like she’s being attacked by a million ants.

“She’s not on you. I got her,” I say as I roll my eyes.

Jade throws me a glare as she flees the room.

The rumble of laughter has my eyes widening and my head whipping in Mav’s direction. His laugh is throaty and guttural. Sexy as hell.

“I’m glad you find this funny,” I say. “I nearly got concussed by her bony legs.” Though it comes out stern, I’m grinning. His laughter is contagious and I find myself laughing too though not as freely or as loudly.

Mav bends forward and his laugh gets deeper. Freer. He’s holding his sides. It’s enthralling to watch. When he stands, he laces his fingers and puts his hands behind his head. He looks up at the ceiling and yes, he’s still laughing. And it’s the most amazing thing I think I’ve ever seen.

It’s captivating, because not only are his gorgeous muscles on display but also it’s the first time I’ve ever seen the darkness fully leave him. Watching him like this leaves me breathless and sparks melancholy deep within my soul.

I’m sure of it now. This is the old Mav. This is what he was like before Dana came into his life.

His laughter softly dies.

“Christ, I haven’t fuckin’ laughed like that in ages,” he says. “I can’t believe it was on her leg.” When he looks over at me, he adds, “You did good. If she would’ve . . . Taz would’ve . . .” He shakes his head.

Yeah, I know exactly what Taz would’ve done.

“Thanks.”

Walking toward him, arm out, I say, “No problem. Here.”

Mav eyes bulge to the size of golf balls as he jumps back. “Fuck! Get that thing away from me.”

My jaw drops as I take in the panicked expression on his face. Then it dawns on me. “That’s why you needed me. You’re scared of spiders.”

He swallows thickly. Shakes his head. “No. I needed to untie her so she didn’t—” I shove the spider toward him again. He shouts and holds his hand out to ward me off.

I’m the one laughing hard now. “You are too!”

“Jesus. Okay, fine. I am. Just . . . get her away from me!” He rubs his hand over his head. “Go put her in her cage or somethin’.”

I’m very, very tempted to throw Boop at him, but I’m not into animal cruelty so I restrain myself.

Mav pulls a phone from his pocket. “Call Taz. Push number three.”