Page 105 of A Little Complicated

There’s the Maverick I know.

Mystery Man

Just because I’m not being a dick anymore doesn’t mean I’m a different guy. I’m still me, Opie.

That’s what I’m afraid of.

A loud knock echoes from the front door, and my phone buzzes in my hand with another text.

Mystery Man

Answer the door.

Me

I can’t. I’m in the bathtub.

I wait for another loud knock or maybe another message to make my phone buzz, but nothing happens. Only silence. Shifting in the bath, I set my cell on the edge of the tub when the bathroom door opens, revealing a sexy-as-sin Maverick in a dark, fitted T-shirt and jeans.

“What are you doing here?” I cover my boobs with my hands and tuck my feet under my ass to hide my lady bits as much as possible.

Maverick chuckles. “Pretty sure I’ve already seen everything you have to show me, although it’s cute when you’re shy.”

Heat floods my cheeks, but I ignore it and rest my chin on the ledge of the tub, peeking up at him through my lashes. “Let me repeat myself. What are you doing here?”

“I’m here to take care of you.”

“Take care of me?”

“Yeah.”

“You don’t take care of people.”

He clutches at his chest. “One. Ouch. And two. You’re notpeople. You’re Ophelia.”

Swoon.

Praying he doesn’t notice I’m most definitely blushing, I tuck my chin to my chest and suck my lips between my teeth. Getting a grip on myself, I clear my throat. “How did you get into my house?”

“There’s a spare key in case of emergencies.”

“And this constitutes an emergency?”

Lifting his hands in defense, he says, “Hey, I don’t make the rules. Here. I brought you something.” He offers me the grocery bag hanging from his arm, but I don’t take it.

“How did you go to the grocery store so fast?” I ask.

“I didn’t. I stole Reeves’ stash from under his bed.”

“Reeves’stash?”

“The guy has a sweet tooth like nobody’s business.” He sets the bag on the counter and wipes his hands on his jeans, looking helpless. “What else can I do?”

“I don’t…uh,” I look around the bathroom, feeding off his anxiety. “I don’t know? You don’t have to be here, you know. You can go back to the party.”

“Not gonna happen.”

“Mav, I’m serious. We hooked up. It doesn’t mean you need to miss out on a party and take care of me.”

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