Page 41 of Maverick

Then I told her about the endless string of meaningless women. “None of them hold a candle to you.”

“How many women?” she asked, crinkling her nose.

“Honestly, countless. And you, how many men have you been with, Princess?”

She gave me a confused look. Then she reached across the table, curling her fingers around mine. My heart thumped as I looked into her eyes, soft, vulnerable, but shining with curiosity. She licked her lips, voice barely above a whisper. “I have to admit something.”

“Shoot.” My own voice was hoarse.

“I’ve never… done this. Or anything, really. You know, physically. Sexually.” Her gaze darted to the plate, cheeks reddening. “I’m a virgin.”

Oh, I recalled her words from the other night at the hotel. When she said she’d never done anything like this before, she meant literally, not just that things were moving too fast or that she didn’t know me well enough.

I stayed quiet for a long moment, letting it sink in. A swirl of emotions ran through me, surprise, protectiveness, and a flicker of something raw and primal. She was twenty-five, a lawyer, gorgeous, and somehow untouched. I forced myself to speak calmly. “I should’ve figured, from what you said before. And it doesn’t bother me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Her lips parted. “You’re not put off?”

I squeezed her hand gently. “Hell no. If anything… it makes me want to be careful with you. Make sure your first time, whenever it happens, is right. Not overshadowed by fear or bullets.”

She exhaled shakily, relief washing over her face. “Thank you. I just… Everyone in those romance novels, they jump into bed so fast. I guess I’m… behind.”

My chest tightened with affection. “You’re not behind, princess. You’re just living your own story, not a cliché. And trust me, with how we’ve been shot at, chased, and threatened, you’re more than heroic enough.”

She let out a breathy laugh. “Good to know.” Her hand tightened on mine. “I… I’m glad you’re here with me, Maverick.”

My heart thudded. “Me too.”

We both leaned in, our faces inches apart. I could feel the warmth of her breath, smell the faint fragrance of the soy sauce on her lips. Slowly, we tilted our heads, and my lips brushed hers, a gentle, tentative kiss. She sighed softly against my mouth, her hand sliding up to grip my shirt.

My entire body lit up at the soft pressure of her lips. I deepened the kiss slightly, letting her feel my hunger, but also holding back so I wouldn’t scare her. She trembled, kissing me back, a sweet uncertainty in her response. I was already hard as a rock, just from her saying she was a virgin. Our brief connection was driving me insane. Fuck, I needed more. But I kept it gentle.

Then, suddenly, there was a crash. The kitchen window shattered, shards of glass spraying inward. I instinctively threw myself forward, knocking Lexi off her chair and onto the floor. A bullet whizzed through the space we’d occupied a split second earlier, embedding in the opposite wall with a thud. Another shot rang out, blowing chunks of drywall near the doorframe.

“Shit!” I roared, scrambling to shield Lexi with my body. She let out a sharp gasp, eyes wide with terror.

A third shot splintered the door. My heart pounded like a war drum. “We gotta move!” I hissed, flattening us both against the floor.

She nodded, face pale. “Yes.”

I risked a glance around the table. The window was gone, glass all over the floor. I couldn’t see the shooter, but I knew the vantage, probably from a building or alley across the way. Another bullet pinged, hitting the stove. We were sitting ducks.

I dragged Lexi to her feet, half-crouched, and bobbed into the hallway. “We’re going out the front. Stay behind me.” She clung to my jacket, trembling. We inched toward the door, praying the shooter didn’t have an angle. No more shots rang out for the moment.

I yanked open the door, scanning left and right. The courtyard was empty, however that didn’t ensure our safety. “Go, now!” I hissed, pushing her forward. We sprinted down the walkway, footsteps echoing in the still air. Another shot ricocheted off the railing behind us. Apparently the bastard had repositioned. My chest hammered with fear and rage, but I forced us onward.

We flew down the stairs and around to the parking lot to find my Harley. A bullet whizzed overhead, and my shoulders stiffened. We had to get out.

“Helmet!” I barked, tossing Lexi hers. She jammed it on, hands shaking. I swung my leg over the bike, turned the key, and fired it up with a roar. She scrambled onto the seat behind me, arms locked around my waist.

Tires squealing, I tore out of the lot, ignoring the startled shouts of a couple of neighbors who’d come outside. Another shot pinged off the pavement behind us. But then we were onthe main road, weaving into traffic. Lexi clung to me desperately, and I tried to calm my breathing, scanning the rearview mirror for any sign of pursuit.

Whoever it was, they didn’t follow. Or if they did, they were too far behind for me to see. After a few hectic turns, I relaxed fractionally, though my pulse still raced like I’d downed a pot of black coffee.

Lexi’s voice trembled behind me as we idled. “That’s it,” she said. “I’m never going back there. That was my home, Maverick. And they shot it up like it was nothing.”

A swell of anger burned in my gut. These bastards had taken everything from her. Her mother, her security, even her personal space. Enough was enough. “I’m not letting them keep you on the run forever,” I growled. “But for now, we need to be smart.”

She nodded, pressing her helmet against my shoulder. “Yes,” she whispered. “I’m so tired of running. But I don’t see another option.”

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