Page 35 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

“Mav,” she giggles. “Where are we?”

“Shhh…” I hush, thankful she can’t see the dopey-ass smirk on my face that’s got me looking like a straight-up pussy. “Ten more seconds and you’ll see.”

I shove the door, watching it swing open freely into the space. Pocketing the keys, I bring my other hand to press against the dip of her hip, pulling her back to my front as I walk us forward.

I’ve had this in the works for a couple weeks now, and I’m eager to show her what I’ve been up to. Sneaking around behind Nicky’s back, while manageable, has been fucking exhausting. Between the tracking devices he has on her phone and car, it’s a royal pain in the ass and I’ve had to get creative.

I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I’m honestly thankful for Daphne. Even though she never shuts up and drives me crazy, she covers a lot for us, allowing J to leave her car and phone at her house while shuttling her into the city for date nights with me.

I’m tired of the shadow games just trying to get time with my girl, and if I have to fuck her in my car one more time, I’m gonna be the only twenty-one year old I know with back problems. Six-foot-four men were not meant to operate in confined spaces, even one as spacious as the Tahoe.

I won’t risk bringing her to Hydetown. God forbid the wrong person saw her; she’d never be able to explain it to Nicky. And realistically, I can’t keep sneaking into her house without the constant threat of Nicky unloading a clip in me while I’m balls deep in his baby sister. So, my mind got to working and, honestly, I’m pretty fucking stoked with this outcome.

I kick the door closed behind us, causing her to jump within my grasp. “Ready, baby?” I whisper in her ear before nipping at her lobe.

“Yes!” she laughs, shoving me off with her shoulder. She claps her hands in front of her while bouncing in place and she’s so fucking adorable it takes all my restraint not to bend her over our brand-new leather sectional.

What the fuck has she done to me?

“Okay. Three. Two. One.” I remove my hand from her face, allowing her to take in the sight before her.

She stills in my arms, her hands falling to her sides as she slowly advances several steps. She turns to face me, her expression serious. Her jaw goes slack and I internally panic, worried that I just completely freaked her the fuck out.

“Mav,” she whispers. “What is this?”

“It’s ours.” My arms gesture to the space around us. “I’ve actually had it for a couple weeks now, but I wanted to furnish it before you saw it. I signed the lease December first—under an alias, of course.” I wink at her with a smile, attempting to lighten the mood.

She remains rooted in place, her eyes continuing to ping around the room. “Why?” she forces out.

My brow furrows. “Because I’m tired of climbing through windows or doing Jonsie handoffs with Daph like some fucking custody agreement. I want something that’s ours.” I step toward her, reaching for her hand. “We have the whole floor, so we don’t have to worry about anyone bumping into us. The garage is underground with an elevator that leads straight up here. There’s a black Audi down there. It’s yours.” Her head snaps toward me, her eyes wide with shock, but I continue. “At least for you to use when you’re in the city so Nicky can’t track you.” I hand her the keys. Realistically, it's fucking hers whenever she wants it, but I know she can’t be seen driving it in Dutchess.

I also hand her a credit card. “That is linked to my personal account. You use that whenever you need it.”

“I don’t need your money, Mav.”

“I’m aware. But you definitely can’t be swiping your card in the city when you’re supposed to be with Daphne, so again… at least when you’re here. Okay?” She opens her mouth to argue, but I push on. “I’ve also cloned your cell so even though Nicky will be tracking you through your actual phone left at Daph’s, all calls will forward to the one I gave you when you’re here so he doesn’t get suspicious.”

She’s shaking her head. “Mav, this is too much. I can’t accept it.”

“You can and you will.” I pull her into me as I gently sway us back and forth. “It’s more for my benefit, if you really think about it. I want to be able to fall asleep next to you. I want to be able to wake up and fuck you whenever I want throughout the night.” I smirk, but she doesn’t reciprocate. “Do you hate it?” I ask, surprised to find I’m genuinely worried she’s going to say yes.

“No,” she laughs, and I release a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. A lone tear streaks down her left cheek. “That’s the problem. I love everything about this, Mav. This. Us. It’s all so effortless. I don’t want to get used to something I know I’m not allowed to keep.”

“Baby, this is yours. I got it all for you—”

“I mean you, Maverick.”

I still as she peers up at me.

“I’m a smart girl, Bishop.” She swallows. “You. Me. I’ve done the math. It’s not a situation that ends with us riding into the sunset. We’ve always had an expiration date. We’re just delaying the inevitable.”

My fingers flex against her hips as my jaw tightens. Hearing her say those words, the sheer thought of her leaving, slaps a vice around my heart that has my monster scratching beneath the surface.

She must sense the tension because her demeanor quickly shifts.

“I’m sorry.” Her hand cups my jaw as her words break through my thoughts. “It’s beautiful, Mav. I really do love it. And you know what? There’s no reason why we shouldn’t enjoy it while we can.” She presses up onto her toes, bringing her pretty, plush lips to mine.

Then she pulls back, a lust ridden look in her eyes with a sly smile playing on her face. She seductively slinks away, her hand purposely grazing my cock in the process. “Come on, Mav.” She continues to eye-fuck me as she withdraws, peeling the black leather jacket from her body and discarding it on the floor. “Give me the tour.”

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