Page 45 of Teasing

I stiffen, and the look she gives me could cut glass, it’s so damn sharp.

“If you want me to trust you. Want me to lay it all out on the table... to show you all my pain. All the ugliest corners of my soul, you’ve got to give me something in return.”

“Can’t I just buy you flowers? You like flowers.” I run my fingers through her hair, pulling out her messy bun and letting the long strands fall around her shoulders. “You’re so fucking pretty, Emmie.”

“Nice try, buddy, but you can’t buy me with flowers or compliments.” At least she’s smiling when she says it. “But now I know where Rosie gets her negotiating skills.”

“I blame that on my mom. She controls the men in her life without any of us even realizing we’re being controlled.” A smile tugs at her lips, and my body relaxes.

The effect she has on me is crazy.

“Sounds like I’d like your mom.”

“She’ll like you.” And the thought of introducing Emmie to my parents makes me laugh. “My family isn’t like yours. Itisn’t like most families. My cousins and I have always stuck together but not really out of physical need. It’s just always been easier to close ranks. When people find out you’re a Kingston, or worse, a Beneventi, they usually want something from you. Money, notoriety, social standing... power. Once they realize they’re not getting it, they start to sell your secrets. The fuckingKroydon Kroniclesblog has made us their bitch for years, publicizing every misstep... every secret any of us has had. People don’t care who they’re potentially hurting. Just that it makes them money. Everybody wants something. It’s the way of the world.”

Her mouth parts, and a quiet “Oh” spills past her lips. “I hadn’t realized...”

“We’re high-profile. It is what it is. The good always comes with the bad. A lot of my family has had bodyguards for years. My parents never forced that on us, thank God. But I think the fact that we’re Beneventis, not just Kingstons, makes a difference.” I don’t say more. I can’t. It’s not my place. But when your uncle is the most powerful man in the city, people tend not to fuck with you. Dad may not have gone into the family business, but most people know Sebastian Beneventi is Sam Beneventi’s little brother, and if you hurt him or his family, you’re basically signing your own death sentence.

Emmie’s hands slide under the hem of my t-shirt and splay against my abs, just above my belt, and any blood I had left in my head runs straight to my cock. “And what about Rosie’s mom...? Did she play into your trust issues at all? Neither of you ever mention her.”

“Denae wanted everything she thought came with being a Kingston. She loved the attention. We met the summer before my senior year of college and dated for a few months. She wanted to be seen. Wanted to be mentioned. She thought she’d get a modeling contract, like a bunch of influencers she followedhad. When it didn’t happen, she figured she’d use me to make it happen. When that didn’t pan out, I found out she started feeding theKroydon Kroniclesinformation about us. About my family ... And I broke it off.”

Emmie tenses. “Mav . . .”

“A few months later, I found out she was pregnant, and my life changed. Rosie was born, and I never looked back.” I want to hate her, but she gave me Rosie, and for that alone, I’ll never regret meeting her or the time I spent with her in my life. But that’s the best she’s going to get from me.

“Why isn’t she in Rosie’s life?” she asks nervously, like she’s scared of the answer.

“She wasn’t interested in being a parent.” My gut churns, remembering those days. How miserable she was. “Rosie didn’t fit into her plan, but I think she wanted her to, if that makes sense. The idea of Rosie was better for Denae than Rosie actually was. She left a few years ago, after Rosie had a reaction to a peanut butter cup Denae let her have. Said she couldn’t do it. Didn’t want to try.” Fuck. I’m still so fucking angry when I think about it. “Her fucking loss.”

Emmie’s cheeks flame red. “What a bitch.”

“Rosie was so young... too young. She only saw her once a week back then and barely asked about her when that stopped. But one day, she will. One day, it’ll hurt that her mom left, and I’ll never forgive Denae for that.”

“Everybody leaves,” she whispers, and I know I’m about to lose her.

“Em—”

She pushes off my lap and stands between my legs.

My hands immediately circle her waist, and she cups my face. “I need you to think about this, Maverick. I need us both to think about this. If we hurt each other, we hurt Rosie, and I’m not willing to do that.”

“And what if we don’t hurt each other?” I push but don’t move. I don’t want to take away the control Emmie has in this moment. She needs it more than me. “What if we’re the best thing that’s ever happened?”

She tilts her head, and her pretty eyes soften. “Where did you come from and what happened to my Cujo?”

“I’m still me. I’ll always protect what’s mine. Guess I just figured out who that is.”

Her smile is slow and fucking stunning as she pulls back a step. “I’ll see you Monday morning, Mav.”

“This isn’t over, Em.”

“Monday . . .” she whispers and walks away.

Fuck.

MAVERICK

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