Page 38 of The Cleaner

I pause, my eyes locked on hers. "I wouldn't say that," I reply, my voice low and intentional. “I’ve never thought about settling down with anyone until about twenty minutes ago, when this gorgeous brunette walked into the bar. Gotta tell you, babe, it was like being struck by lightning seeing you again.”

Her cheeks flush. “Mav—” she whispers.

“You gonna tell me you’re not feeling the same?” I ask her with a raised brow.

She shakes her head and her eyes dart away, her fingers tracing the condensation on her glass. "I... I can't deny there's something here, Maverick. But it's complicated."

I lean in closer, my voice low. "Complicated how?"

She takes a deep breath, meeting my gaze again. "I'm not the same girl you met five years ago. A lot has changed. I’ve changed."

"Babe, you think I don’t know that? You think that we’ve not all changed?” I shake my head. “We were never going to be the same as we were five years ago.” I reach across the table and take her hand. She doesn't pull away. Instead, her fingers curl around mine. “This thing between us...” I begin, and she nods, her eyes wide and filled with hope and a little fear. “We’re starting out. You don’t know me and vice versa. It’ll take some time to build trust. You just gotta take the chance.”

Lisa nods slowly, her thumb absently stroking the back of my hand. "You're right," she says softly. "It's just... I've been hurt before, Maverick. I'm scared of letting someone in again."

I squeeze her hand gently. "I get it, babe. I've got my own scars too. But sometimes you've gotta take a chance, right?"

She gives me a small smile, vulnerability shining in her eyes. "Yeah, I suppose you do."

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow?" I ask, a plan forming in my head.

Her brows knit together. "No. Not that I know of. Why?"

"Then how about we have dinner? Tomorrow night?"

My heart begins to race. Fuck, what if she says no?

A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "Dinner sounds nice."

"Good," I say, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. I want to woo her. I want her to feel comfortable around me. "I know a great little Italian place not far from here. I'll pick you up at seven?"

She nods, her smile growing wider. "I'd like that."

My heart rate settles as I stare at her. She's so fucking beautiful, so damn sweet. I want her. I want her so badly I can't fucking think straight.

A date? I've never been on one before, but I know that Lisa deserves to be treated like a fucking queen.So a date it is.

Chapter

Sixteen

LISA

I'm giddy.There's no other way to describe it. I've never felt so wanted or as beautiful as I do tonight. This date is anything but ordinary. The food was amazing and the company even more so. There's always been something about Maverick that makes my heart go crazy and I've never been sure what it is, but being with him this evening has made me understand just what it is. I'm attracted to him, and I think it's more than that.

He's been the perfect gentleman. He holds my hand tightly, keeping me close to him as we walk. He's so bloody tall, somewhere over six feet. It makes me feel small despite me being five-foot-six. He stands between me and the road as we walk, as well as shields me from people walking past. Throughout dinner, the conversation was easy and didn't feel uncomfortable at all. We didn't delve into our family dynamics, which is great as I'm not sure I'm ready to open up about my family just yet. Hell, if ever. But being with Maverick feels good, feels right. That's not something I've ever felt before, and I want to keep it.

"You okay, babe?" he asks, and my stomach clenches, as it has every time he’s called me babe.

"Yeah," I reply. "Thanks for this evening. It was the perfect date."

It really was. I couldn't have asked for a better date. I had been nervous all day—something I hadn't felt in a long time. My world upended when I killed Devin's father and it's been a rollercoaster since. I've had to be strong and take charge, something that hasn't come naturally. I've had to become someone different. But tonight, I could be me. I could relax and just be who I really am. It's been amazing.

"I'm hoping the night's not over yet," Maverick says with a grin as he pulls me close to him. I collide with his rock hard body, my hands resting against his chest as I look up at him. "Stay with me tonight," he whispers, his lips ghosting against my own.

My heart races. Stay the night? I've never done anything like this before. I'm still a virgin. Am I ready for this?

"Hey," he says softly, his hands framing my face. "No pressure, Lisa. Just spend the night, nothing else."

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