Page 36 of Maverick

“What? Girl, he’s not going to wait forever,” Shay teased. “How many dates have you been on now?”

“Two... well, three if you count yesterday.”

Shay raised an eyebrow. “Did he pick you up?”

Parker nodded.

“Did he take you home?”

Again, Parker nodded.

“That’s a date. The third date. The important one.” Shay waggled her eyebrows playfully, causing Parker to laugh and feel butterflies in her stomach at the same time.

“I’m just nervous,” she admitted. “Especially after he told me he doesn’t mince words, in or out of bed.”

“Oh damn,” Shay exclaimed with a mock shudder. “That’s hot.”

“May I confide in you?”

Shay nodded, a look of trust and confidentiality in her eyes. “Of course, your secrets are safe with me.”

Parker took a deep breath before opening up. “You know that Brad was the only man I had ever been with. But what I didn’t tell you is how bland our sex life was. He hardly ever wanted it, always on top and no oral sex. Ever. And after Ronnie was born, it only got worse.”

Shay’s eyebrows rose in sympathy. “That sounds incredibly dull.”

“I don’t like speaking ill of him. I did love him, and being a virgin, I thought that was just how sex was supposed to be. But when a man doesn’t expect much from you, he also doesn’t give much in return. I only ever told Maverick. I wanted him to understand why I was so nervous.”

“What did he say?”

“That I shouldn’t have lived like that. I tried, Shay, but there were no sparks or fireworks. Just flat and unfulfilling. I started to think maybe it was just me expecting too much, that real life wasn’t like Hollywood movies or romance novels.”

“Bullshit,” Shay interjected fiercely. “Sex can be slow and sweet, or hot and sweaty, but it should always set off fireworks. Did you even have any orgasms?”

Parker shook her head sadly. “No... I hate talking about this with anyone. Especially since I did love him.”

“Who are you trying to convince?”

“Maverick asked me the same thing when I finally mustered up the courage to tell him. He knows how nervous I am, but I know you’re right; he won’t stay with me if we don’t have a sexual relationship.”

“My question is, why would you want to?”

“I don’t. Believe me, when I look at Maverick, I do want to be intimate with him, but the fear of disappointing him holds me back.” She sighed.

“Parker, if he truly cares about you, he won’t let you disappoint him. He’ll communicate and make sure you are enjoying it too.”

“But I can’t even fathom discussing it with him.”

“You’re being irrational. Any man who claims to not mince words, both in and out of bed, is not just in it for himself. He will make sure you feel good too. You don’t have to discuss it with him. Show him. I bet you’d be surprised at how much desire he stirs up in you,” Shay continued. “I was the same with Wes. The first time we were together, we barely knew each other but I knew I had never felt such pleasure before. And I bet Maverick knows how to please a woman.”

“That’s what scares me. I don’t know how to please a man.”

“Use your instincts. Do what feels right for you. If he doesn’t like it, I’m sure he’ll let you know and guide you.”

“I do want him,” she whispered, her voice filled with desire. “He’s just so impossibly sexy and hot. I bet he has an amazing body.”

Shay’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she grinned. “Oh, I’ve seen him without a shirt and let me tell you, it was like staring at a Greek god. His pecs were hard and solid, his six-pack stomach tight and defined. I’m sure I drooled a little, but then again, Wes is built the same way.” She laughed playfully; her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Parker couldn’t help but join in on the teasing. “Well, I have checked him out too, and from what I’ve seen, Maverick is definitely not lacking in any department.”

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