Page 33 of Maverick

“Say you’re sorry,” he demanded playfully.

“For what?” she laughed, reveling in the feeling of being held close against him.

“Teasing me. Like you don’t do that enough.” He pulled her back against his chest with a grin.

“Did I threaten to drop you in the water when you teased me?” she retorted, trying to sound stern but failing as laughter bubbled up within her.

He furrowed his brow as if giving it some thought. “No, but I don’t care.” He held her out over the water again, causing her to squeal and cling tightly to him.

“If I go, you go,” she warned through giggles as she took his hat from his head and tossed it into the pond.

Maverick quickly set her on her feet once again. “You threw my hat in the pond,” he exclaimed.

“I did,” she said, laughing.

He placed his hands on his hips. “Do you realize how much that hat cost?” he growled.

Parker’s laughter quickly died as she saw how angry he was.

“But it’s just a straw hat.”

“Yes, it’s a straw hat. A Stetson straw hat. No Stetson is just a hat. Straw, felt, or leather. They’re not cheap.”

“I’m-I’m so sorry, Maverick. I’ll buy you a new one.”

He turned to look at her, then at his hat floating in the pond, and back to her.

“Go get it,” he said.

Parker gasped. “What?”

“Go get it. You threw it in there, so you can go get it.” He pointed at the hat.

She turned away from him so he wouldn’t see how upset she was, and removed one of her shoes, but stopped when she thought she heard him… laugh? She turned to look at him to see him laughing. She threw the shoe at him, but he dodged it, then she walked to him and stopped in front of him.

“I should throw you in that pond to get your own damn hat.” She placed her hands on her hips.

Maverick reached out and pulled her against him. “I don’t need to get the hat. It’s just an old straw hat, not even a Stetson. I just wanted to see how far you’d go. Teasing you is too easy, baby.” He leaned down to kiss her, but she pulled back and glared at him.

“You’re on my shitlist, Whitacre.”

He chuckled. “I know I can get off it. All I have to do is—”

Parker covered his mouth with her hand. “Do not say it.” She smiled when Maverick laughed against her hand.

“We’d better head back, darlin’.”

“Alright.”

After they cleared up the area, they got on the ATV, and rode back to the house.

Chapter Five

After a long, dusty ride back to the house, Maverick maneuvered the ATV into the barn and helped Parker off it. He then pushed the vehicle into the back room before reemerging. He grinned when he saw Parker sitting on the floor of the barn, her fingers tangled in Blue’s soft fur as she played with her.

“You’re going to get filthy.” Maverick chuckled as he extended a hand to help her up.

Parker grinned mischievously as she brushed dirt off the back of her shorts.

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