Page 46 of Maverick

“Speaking of,” moaned Katelyn. “I think you should show me again how much you love me.” She peppered kisses down his chest, rolling on top of him.

“Fine,” he smirked. “But I’m still not happy.”

“Liar. Yes, you are.”

“I’d like to go to Orlando tomorrow,” said Stephanie.

Braxton was washing the dishes, and she was behind him on the other side of the counter. He turned the water off, drying his hands, and slowly turned.

His massive body stood more than a foot above her own, the muscles in his jaw, cheeks, and neck flexing from him grinding his teeth together.

“You’re not completely well yet,” he said calmly. “The doctors said that you need time to gain weight and make sure that this new medication helps with the seizures. I don’t think it’s safe.”

“But you’ll be there,” she said. “You’ll be there, and you can protect me. Isn’t that what you told me?”

“Have a seat, Steph,” he said, nodding toward the sofa. She turned and took a seat in the corner of the sofa, placing a protective pillow on her lap. Her body couldn’t have been further from his own if she’d tried. He stared at her a moment and then spoke.

“Are you afraid of me?” he asked quietly.

“N-no. I mean, I don’t think you’ll hurt me. Physically,” she said. “I haven’t been around a lot of men other than the guards, teachers, and doctors.”

“I see. So, you know I won’t physically hurt you, but I say dumb shit and hurt your feelings,” he smirked. She blushed, and he shook his head. “I’m sorry, Steph. You’re right. The other night at dinner, when you were talking about not being real, it killed me.”

“Why would that bother you?”

“Because I care,” he said. “I care about you. You’re as real as anyone here, Steph. I carried you. I should know. You have flesh and bone and blood. You’re fucking real. Listen, people are adopted, born from surrogates, even born from test tubes. The fact that someone figured out how to clone a human is terrifying and fucking brilliant all at the same time.

“To me, it’s one more thing that makes you unique and different. As a twin, being different sometimes is good, believe me.”

“I wish I could feel that way. Maybe one day I will. I just remember what those men said. They said I was a science experiment gone wrong. I don’t even know what that means,” she whispered.

“Maybe it means they thought you would follow all the rules, and when you didn’t, when you chose to escape, they knew they’d messed up in thinking you would be compliant. You’re not a mistake, Steph. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

“So, can I go to Orlando?” He smirked at her, laughing.

“Um, no. It’s not because I don’t think you’re capable. You are. But you’re not one hundred percent healthy, and I don’t want to see you get hurt.” She stared at him, and he squirmed a bit in his seat.

“Why?”

“Why? Why what?”

“Why don’t you want to see me get hurt?”

“Because I care about what happens to you, Steph. I-I want to see you happy and healthy. Here.”

“Here? Like here in this cottage?”

Braxton was saved by a knock on the door, his brother standing on the other side looking frazzled and worried.

“Hey, what’s up?” Pax looked over his shoulder at Stephanie and smiled.

“Hi, Steph.”

“Hi, Pax. I’m going to head to bed, Brax. Have a safe trip. I’ll see you when you get back.” He nodded, and then she turned back to him. “Be careful. Okay?”

“Okay,” he smiled. When she was safely behind her bedroom door, he stepped out onto the porch to speak with Pax. “What’s wrong?”

“Deanna. I think she’s at the house in Coronado.”

---