Page 99 of Maverick

Life shifted after that. Freed from Mark’s legal grip, I breathed easier. Maverick and I grew closer in ways that went beyond physical desire. We discovered each other’s hobbies, mixed martial arts was his passion and he liked tinkering with engines. I liked reading romance novels and cooking anything that took a million ingredients. Late evenings, I’d curl on the couch, devouring a steamy historical or dark biker romance, Adam asleep in the crib, while Maverick laid a warm blanket over my legs. Sometimes, he’d brush aside my hair, gently kiss my temple, whispering how peaceful I looked reading.

One night, I felt bold. I wore a slightly more fitted top, revealing a hint of my postpartum body. Maverick’s eyes lit up, a slow grin curving his lips. As I read a passage from my current novel, he asked me about it.

“You’re smiling,” he said, resting his forearm on the back of the couch. “Must be a good part?”

I blushed, hugging the book to my chest. “It’s… a spicy scene, actually,” I admitted, heart pounding.

He raised an eyebrow, leaning in. “Tell me,” he said, voice low. “Give me the gist.”

My cheeks flamed. “It’s a dark romance. The hero’s morally gray, tying the heroine to the bed, worshiping her, then, it’s, well, it’s intense.”

A spark danced in Maverick’s gaze, a tinge of mischief. “I can do that if you want,” he teased, brushing his fingers lightly across my waist. “I’ll tie you up, re-enact it line by line.”

A shiver ran through me, both intrigue and lingering fear. “N-no,” I stammered, remembering the vulnerability. “I’m not ready for that kind of… scene. Just reading it was enough. But I… I might be ready for something else.” My heart pounded as I shut the book, gaze lifting to meet his.

He exhaled softly. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, breath catching. Time to let him in. I set the book aside, leaning forward. My lips brushed his, tentative at first, but then the hunger we’d kept at bay surged. He cradled my face, kissing me with a reverence that made my eyes burn with tears.

We stumbled to the bedroom, my bedroom now. I felt self-conscious about my softer belly, the stretch marks. But Maverick’s hands caressed every part of me, murmuring how beautiful I was, how lucky he felt. My heart soared, the insecurities slowly melting as his lips mapped my skin. God. I wanted him.

His hand swept across the tattoo on my belly, his property patch. “I’m glad you kept it.”

“Me too,” I said, before I got completely swept off my feet.

The first touch of his weight over me made me gasp. The baby was asleep next door, Nova out for the evening, so we had quiet privacy. A swirl of memories flooded me, our one night in that resort, the heartbreak that followed, the child we created.

Maverick was about to strike, claim me again, but I rolled away.

He laid on his back. “What’s wrong?”

I climbed over him, straddling his naked form. “I have so many regrets, but one in particular has really haunted me.”

“What?” he asked, his face tight with concern.

My hands ran down his chiseled abs before I wrapped them around his thick erection. “I never got to taste you.”

A big smile grew on the biker’s face. “By all means, gobble away.”

“Gobble?” I laughed, but I licked my lips. “I’ll show you gobbling.”

Maverick guided me down to his cock. I opened my mouth wide. His hands clutched my hair. “I’m sure you will, princess.”

His salty skin tasted divine as I slid my tongue up and down his hard length. Soon, I was swallowing a mouthful of satiated desire, fresh from Maverick and right down my throat. I licked my lips. The biker was delicious, not the milky substance, but just being with him again.

But even though we took our time exploring, checking off all the foreplay, when he entered me, the lovemaking was tender, unhurried, fueled by more than raw desire. We were forging a bond, healing old wounds with each shared jolt.

Afterwards, wrapped in sheets, I felt my tears roll down my face. He noticed, brushing them away with a calloused thumb.

“You okay?” he whispered, worry lining his brow.

I mustered a trembling smile. “Yes,” I choked out. “Better than okay. I just… I love you, Maverick. More than ever. And I’m sorry it took me so long to trust you again.”

His eyes shone. “Don’t be sorry,” he said, leaning in to kiss me gently. “I love you, princess. I’d wait forever if I had to.” A pause, then he sighed. “But… I do have to leave soon. Just for a bit.”

My heart constricted. “Leave? Where?”

He stroked my hair. “The Road Monsters need me on a run. With us up here, I’m technically under a different Ace’s territory. They want me to show face, maybe do a job or two. I’ll only be gone a week or two, max. Chigger or someone else will be here to guard you and the baby. But before I go…” He drew a breath. “I want to marry you.”