Page 57 of Maverick

After scarfing down breakfast, we stuffed our minimal belongings into Maverick’s saddlebag. I was glad to leave the dank, moldy smell of the clubhouse behind. The idea of a proper shower in a nice hotel room was downright thrilling. My stomach fluttered again, though, with a mix of anticipation and nerves. Tonight could be the night, the real claiming, that I’d only read about.

We walked through the clubhouse, ignoring the curious stares of a few bikers. Taz gave us a lazy wave, and Ruby, perched on a barstool, winked at me. I nodded back, oddly proud that I was stepping out with Maverick, my supposed “property patch” hidden under my shirt.

Maverick started his Harley, and I hopped on. We screeched out of there, dust flying everywhere in the heat. The wind blew my hair all over, and I could feel the engine vibrating in my legs. After all that craziness, I felt surprisingly alive. Free.

The ride wasn’t long, maybe an hour. We drove past fields, farms, and tiny towns. Eventually, we spotted the turnoff for the resort, a tree-lined drive that led to a grand structure overlooking a man-made lake. It was bigger than I expected, complete with a nice-looking spa building to one side.

“Holy shit,” I muttered as Maverick parked the Harley near the main entrance. “Did we just land in luxury?”

He smirked, cutting the engine. “Not exactly the Ritz, but it’s nice enough.”

We headed inside, the lobby gleaming with polished floors and large windows. A friendly receptionist greeted us, eyebrows hiking at Maverick’s leather vest. He wandered around the lobby as I went to the counter. I handled check-in, using Maverick’s cash, but she asked for a credit card. Maverick was out of earshot, so I handed her my card. My mind flashed tocriminal cases I’d studied, so I knew my card was traceable. But being claimed by Maverick was worth the risk.

“It’s only for incidentals.” She handed over key cards with a professional smile.

The elevator whisked us to a third-floor suite that overlooked the lake. The moment we stepped into the room, I felt my jaw drop. A plush king-sized bed with crisp white linens, an oversized bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower and a whirlpool tub, and a big window framing the shimmering water outside.

I set my small bag down, turning to Maverick with a grin. “This might be the nicest place I’ve ever stayed.”

He gave a low whistle, sliding a hand around my waist from behind. “Told you. I wanted you to feel special.”

Every ounce of me fluttered. “You’re spoiling me.”

“About damn time somebody did,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck. “Now, how about you grab a shower? Then we’ll see how we're doing.”

I laughed softly, leaning back against him. “Yeah… The shower here beats the mushrooms in the tub at the clubhouse. So, I’m definitely doing that.”

He patted my hip. “Go for it, princess.”

I took my sweet time in the bathroom, letting the hot water cascade over me, washing away the sweat and grime. The tile was spotless, the water pressure blissful. I even used the complimentary, fancy shampoo that smelled like lavender. God, I needed this.

Tonight would be the night. A good chunk of me was excited. I’d yearned for Maverick’s touch since the day herescued me from that creep who exposed me at the rally. But a bit of me trembled with fear. I was a virgin, and this was going to be intense. The property patch still stung on my lower stomach, reminding me of his claim. I belong to him now, in the eyes of the MC. That’s no small thing.

Eventually, I stepped out, wrapping myself in a plush robe. Steam hung in the air, the mirror fogged up. My heart pounded at the thought of what might happen next. Deep breaths, Lexi. You’ve read a million romance novels, dirty ones. But those were stories. This was real.

Chapter 31

When I emerged, the room had changed. Soft lighting glowed from the side lamps. Rose petals, actual rose petals, were scattered across the bed. A small bottle of champagne chilled in an ice bucket on the dresser with two flutes set nearby. My eyes darted to Maverick, who stood by the window, wearing only his jeans. My heart did a double take at the sight of his muscled arms, knowing soon they would be wrapped around me. He turned, a devilish grin spreading across his face.

“You like it?” he asked, motioning to the bed. “I thought about your fancy romance books and figured I’d do it right.”

My throat felt tight. “It’s… perfect,” I whispered. “You went all out.”

He crossed the room and slipped an arm around my waist, tugging me into an embrace. “A man’s gotta prove himself, right?”

A nervous laugh burst from me. “You’re not who I expected you to be when we first met.”

He chuckled back, brushing a finger under my chin. “I’m a mean outlaw, princess. But even mean outlaws can do nice things for the right woman.”

“You sure you want me to be that woman?”

He ran his fingers along the edge of my robe. “I’m damn sure.” Then he tugged the belt loose, letting the robe fall open slightly.

I nearly lost my breath.

“May I?” he asked, voice dripping sex.

With a nod, I couldn’t hide my excitement. He slipped the robe off my shoulders, letting it pool at my feet. Air kissed my skin, and I fought the instinct to cover myself, remembering I wanted this. His eyes raked over me, obviously appreciating my body. My face got hot with embarrassment, but I was also very turned on.

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