Page 96 of Mine to Take

It has disaster written all over it.

In black Sharpie.

It’s the reason my instincts were blaring at me from the very beginning to avoid him at all costs.

And I tried…

I really did.

But there’s something about Maverick McKinnon that I find irresistible.

“You need to tell him the truth before you get in any deeper.”

My shoulders collapse under the heavy weight of her words as guilt pricks at me.

Yeah… I think it might be a little too late for that.

Not only does he not know that River and I are related, but he has no idea that I was diagnosed with childhood leukemia. Most guys shy away when I share that info. The ones who don’t turn tail and run, treat me as if I’m fragile.

Even though I think he’ll be pissed when he finds out about the first issue, I’ve grown more concerned about the second one. Especially since his mother fought her own battle recently and he was so affected by it.

It wouldn’t surprise me if our diagnoses and subsequent treatment overlapped.

Ugh.

The thought makes my belly pinch with nerves.

If he doesn’t pull away and disappear from my life, I’m afraid he’ll treat me differently.

After what I’ve experienced at his skilled hands, that would be a deal breaker for me.

My mind tumbles back to the way he fucked me the other day. I’ve never even fantasized about a man touching me in that way.

Playing with my body like that.

It was…delicious.

Even though it’s been a few days, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

“Oh god…you’ve already fallen for him, haven’t you?” Her voice is tinged with a blend of disbelief and sadness.

I blink out of the memories trying to take hold, and stare at my bestie with wide eyes. My inclination is to shake my head.

No way!

Of course I haven’t!

But…

It’s a jolt to realize that Holland is right.

I’ve fallen for Maverick.

Or maybe I’m in the process of it.

What I do know is that I’ve never met anyone like him before. The scariest part is that I’m not sure if I ever will again.

As much as I don’t want to burst the little bubble I’m living in, I can’t continue lying to him.

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