Page 20 of Maverick

“I’ll be right back with those.”

After getting their drinks, Maverick introduced Parker to Siobhan, then they listened to the band. When they played, When You Say Nothing at All, a song by Alison Kraus and Union Station, Maverick asked Parker if she wanted to dance. She nodded, and he led her to the dance floor. She turned into his arms, and he wrapped his around her waist. She placed her cheek against his shoulder, and it felt right to him. She felt right.

“You smell so good,” she whispered, making him chuckle.

“Not as good as you do.”

He loved feeling her in his arms. What the hell? He barely knew her, and he was thinking this way. Did it matter? If he liked her, shouldn’t he continue to see her and find out if they had anything between them? The thoughts running through his head were unlike any he’d had before. About any woman. He huffed and she leaned back to gaze into his face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Not a thing.”

“I don’t think you’re being truthful.”

“I’m sorry. It’s just that I really like you already, Parker. I’d like to continue to see you but that’s up to you.”

“I like you too, and I’d like to see you again.”

“But?”

“Oh, there’s no but. I’m just nervous.”

“I see. Well, we don’t know where this is going if we don’t see each other.”

“You’re right. Okay, we’ll go out more and see where we’re heading.”

Maverick grinned. “Sounds good to me. Are you ready to go?”

“Yes. I’m tired. It’s been a long day. All I want to do tomorrow is lay on the sofa and watch movies.”

“Let’s go.” He took her hand, made their way back to the bar where he paid for the tab, then walked out to his truck.

After helping her get inside, he climbed into the cab, looked at her, smiled, and started the truck.

****

As he stopped the truck beside the steps to her apartment, Parker wondered about inviting him inside. If she did, would he expect her to sleep with him? If she didn’t, would he think she was playing hard to get? It wasn’t that at all. It was the fact that she hadn’t been with a man since before Brad died and he was the only man she’d been with. She didn’t want to disappoint Maverick and she had a feeling he knew exactly what to do with a woman in bed. Oh, boy.

“You’re going to drive yourself insane. I’ll walk you to the door, and leave.”

“How did you know?”

“You’re fidgeting.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry. I just haven’t been with a man for a long time. I’m not sure what to do.”

He looked at her and smirked. “What to do about inviting me in, or what to do with a man? Because, darlin’, I’m sure you know what to do with a man.”

“Don’t be so sure,” she murmured.

“What do you mean?”

“Let’s go upstairs and we’ll talk.”

“Alright.”

He got out and started around the truck to open her door, but she had gotten out and walked to the steps. She stopped to wait for him. He took her hand, and they walked up the steps. After unlocking the door, they entered the apartment.

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