Page 13 of Maverick's Code

When we break apart, her eyes are wide, searching mine for... something. Regret maybe? She won't find any.

"I shouldn't have done that," I say, even though I don't regret it for a second. "Not with everything that's happening, not with what you've been through-"

"Maverick," she cuts me off, her hand still gripping my cut. "Shut up."

And then she's kissing me again, harder this time, like she's trying to prove something - to me or to herself, I'm not sure. All I know is that I'm kissing her back, my hand sliding into her hair, careful of her injuries but unable to hold back entirely.

Somewhere out there, my club is fighting her old club, and here I am, kissing her like a teenager.

It's crazy and probably stupid and definitely complicated, but right now, with her lips on mine and her hand in mine, I can't bring myself to care about any of that.

Chapter 6 - Sadie

What am I doing? Kissing a man fifteen or twenty years older, an Iron & Blood member, while my ex-club is being raided? And yet, I can't find it in me to care.

"Are you sure about this?" I whisper, my fingers still gripping his cut like it's a lifeline.

His eyes, dark and intense, search mine. "I should be the one asking you that. After everything you've been through..."

A smirk tugs at my lips, surprising even me.

"I want this," I say with more certainty than I've felt about anything in years. "I want you."

He raises an eyebrow, a hint of amusement mixing with the desire in his expression.

"Here? In the Iron & Blood reunion room?"

"I don't care where," I breathe, pressing closer to him. "As long as you claim me."

Something flashes in his eyes - possession, hunger, maybe both. Without warning, he scoops me up, his hands strong and sure as he places me on the edge of the massive wooden table. My heart hammers against my ribs as he steps between my legs, reaching up to brush a few strands of hair from my face.

"No one can find out about this," he says, his voice low and rough. "Not yet."

"I'm good at keeping secrets," I assure him, reaching for the hem of my borrowed shirt. My hands tremble slightly as I pull it up and over my head, leaving me in just a simple black bra.

I watch his face nervously, suddenly painfully aware of the bruises that mottle my skin - yellowish marks on myribs, purpling ones on my shoulders. For a moment, I'm embarrassed, certain he'll be disgusted by the damage Jake left behind.

But Maverick surprises me again. He leans forward, his lips finding the darkest bruise on my collarbone. The kisses are gentle, reverent almost.

"Beautiful," he murmurs against my skin, moving to the next mark. "Every inch of you."

My breath catches as he continues his path downward, his stubble scraping deliciously against my sensitive skin. When he reaches the edge of my bra, his eyes flick up to mine, asking permission. I nod, and his hands move to unclasp it, letting my breasts fall free.

"God, look at you," he breathes, and there's nothing but admiration in his gaze as I sit before him, half-naked and vulnerable. He cups one breast gently, his thumb brushing over the nipple until it hardens. "Perfect."

The cool air of the room against my heated skin makes me shiver, but Maverick's hands and mouth are warm, setting fire to every inch of me he touches. My fingers find their way to his hair as he lavishes attention on my breasts, his tongue teasing one nipple while his fingers work the other.

"Maverick," I breathe, arching into his touch.

He looks up at me. "Say it again."

"Maverick," I repeat, loving the way his name feels on my lips.

His hands move to my hips, tugging at the pants I borrowed. "These need to go."

I lift my hips, helping him slide them down my legs. Now I'm left in just my underwear - simple black cotton that's seen betterdays. Again, I feel a flash of self-consciousness, but the way he's looking at me chases it away.

"You too," I manage, pulling at his cut. "Not fair that I'm the only one undressing."

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