Page 80 of Maverick

Now it was time to catch up to the conversation. “Back up, this baby isn’t hypothetical?”

She barked out a laugh. “No, it’s very real. I’m thirteen weeks along,” she said wistfully as one hand rested against her belly. “It was that night we got the all-clear from the doctor. Our first night together after…” She trailed off and that haunted look returned to her eyes, but just briefly.

I smiled. “I remember that night. Fuck me, I’ll never forget it.” Her bruises had faded but they were still visible, which had only added to my need to have her again, to claim her completely and make sure she knew she was mine. “So we are having a baby?”

“Yes. How do you feel about that?”

I hated the hesitation, the wariness in her voice, but I knew it would take more than a few months to get rid of it completely. She’d spent too many years being wary of Trent flying off the handle at the slightest inconvenience. “Holy fuck.” I sighed in disbelief as the truth settled around me. “I’m gonna be a daddy. Again.”

Her smile grew. “Yes, Maverick. You are.”

Holy shit. “You’re absolutely sure?”

She nodded. “I had my six-month checkup today to make sure my ribs and my head were all right. I needed to take a pregnancy test before the x-rays, and that turned into another exam which indicated I am thirteen weeks along.”

I darted to my feet with a wide smile and scooped Grace up into my arms, holding her close as I spun us around the room. “We’re having a baby!” I stopped and stared into gorgeous green eyes I hoped to see even when they were surrounded by wrinkles. “Are you okay with this?”

She smiled brightly and pressed her lips to one cheek and then the other. “Yeah, I’m okay with this, Maverick. I love you and I never wanted Sophie to be an only child. Besides, I think we need another redhead in the family. Don’t you?”

I threw my head back and laughed. “I’m not sure if we need another redhead, but I love that my baby is growing in your belly. I wish I could marry you today, Gracie.”

She grabbed my face in both hands and kissed me fiercely, that strip of skin between her brows crinkling into a frown. “I don’t need marriage, Maverick. I’m yours and you are mine, period. I love you and we’re already a family in all the ways that matter, no piece of paper will ever change that. If you want to get married, when the time comes, I’m happy to let you put a ring on it. Otherwise, I consider you my loving husband in all the ways that truly matter.”

“I wasn’t looking for love when I spotted you up on that stage, I just had the strong urge to protect you. But the more I got to know you, to see that spark that was dim at first, but slowly came to life, you captivated me completely. One day, I will make you my wife, but I’m happy to have you where it matters most. In my heart,” I told her, and kissed her slowly. “In our bed,” I kissed her again, deeper this time. “And in my life. Forever.” I whispered the last word before my mouth crashed down on hers and I carried us upstairs to our room that now held traces of warmth and light. Love.

“And that right there is why I fall a bit more in love with you every single day, Maverick.”

“My heart is so full of you and Sophie that it’s hard to breathe sometimes.”

“I love you, Maverick with my whole heart, my whole being. With everything that I am, and I hope to be in this life. Now please, take me to bed and let’s celebrate our growing family!”

And that’s exactly what I did, stripped my woman down and made love to her until we couldn’t breathe, until our bodies were so sweat-slicked and exhausted that we collapsed on the bed happier than I’d ever felt in my whole damn life.

Epilogue

Grace

Two Years Later

I woke up early, but it wasn’t because I’d had another nightmare. Nope, two years after Trent attacked me in Mabel’s house and I hadn’t had a dream in four straight months. It was a relief really, but quickly that relief turned into something else.

Arousal.

A sensation built low in my belly and I opened my eyes with a smile. And a moan. “Good morning to you too, big guy.” I pushed up on my elbows and looked at my big, strong blue-eyed man, who was smiling as he knelt between my legs and stroked my pussy with the tip of his cock. “Very good morning.” I tilted my hips up towards his straining erection and I dug my heels into the hard muscles of his ass.

“Oh fuck,” he groaned as he sank into my damp heat. “So fucking wet. So fucking good, babe.” He buried his face in the crook of my neck and slowly fucked me. He was so big and engorged, so hard as he plunged in long, deep, steady strokes that drove me crazy.

“Maverick,” I moaned, and met him stroke for stroke. Early mornings with him were my favorite time, and not just because we’d perfected the art of quiet but intense lovemaking. “More, please.”

He pulled back and smiled. “Love it when you beg, babe.”

I knew he did. “Then fuck me harder, please.”

He braced his forearms on either side of my head, muscles bunching and flexing as he drove in harder, deeper strokes that sparked the flames of my orgasm. “So fucking wet.”

“It’s my gorgeous man,” I panted, and raked my nails down his back, sinking my teeth into his shoulder. “I love watching you above me, pushing your big cock into me.”

“Gracie,” he growled as I began to pulse harder and faster around him. “So fucking good.” His hips moved even faster and deeper, his strokes punishingly, deliciously hard.

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