Page 42 of Maverick

My day with Willowhad gone perfectly. She opened her heart to me and let me under those layers she had hidden from the world. The way her face lit up when she talked about her art made my heart soar.

While we were riding, the feeling hit me like a ton of bricks. I had real feelings for this woman. Feelings that would be crushed if she ran. The type of feelings that could bring a man to his knees. Feelings I had denied over and over but now, I was finally seeing the light.

This woman opened my heart up to the possibility of forever. Everything she did made me crave more. From her soft touches to that beautiful laugh. I wanted Willow by my side until the day I died.

All of these feelings scared me to death though. She was like a wild horse, gearing up to run if anything spooked her. I knew I had to play it cool to keep her by my side just a little longer. Just a little longer to savor her sweet lips. Just a little longer to worship her amazing body. Just a little longer to watch her paint.

Just a little longer to make her fall in love with me and convince her to stay forever. I just needed more time.

We were back at my house and she was in the shower when Lilah showed up at my door.

“So! How did today go?”

I laughed as she sat with her legs crossed on my couch like a little kid waiting to open the first present on Christmas morning.

“It was good. I learned a lot about her. She’s amazing, Lilah.”

“Where is she now? The boys are at the house waiting for her. They absolutely love her. I mean who doesn’t?” Lilah winked at me as I turned toward the back of the house.

“Stop using that L word, Lilah. You always gotta rub it in that you’re right, huh? She’s almost done showering and she’ll be ready to hang with the boys. Did you grab everything on that list I gave you?”

Lilah just laughed as she grabbed the bags off the floor. “For somebody who is afraid to say they love somebody out loud, they’re doing an awful lot of lovey-dovey shit.”

“Lilah. Did you get the stuff?”

“Yes, grumpy pants.”

The shower stopped and Lilah turned toward the bathroom. “Are you sure she’s going to like this, Mav?”

I sighed, “I sure as fuck hope so.”

The bathroom door opened and Willow stepped out in a stark white towel. It glowed against her beautiful tan skin. She smiled and waved as she headed into the bedroom to get dressed.

Lilah cleared her throat, “Wanna put that thing away, lover boy?”

I quickly adjusted myself and got to work putting the bags upstairs where Willow couldn’t see them. After a few minutes, I heard the bedroom door open and Lilah and Willow talking. I made my way downstairs to see them and get a move on with the night.

“I just want to say thank you again for watching the boys for a bit. They just love you so much, Willow!”

Willow hugged Lilah as I made my way into the living room. “They are the best, Lilah. I don't mind helping out. I have so many cute crafts planned!”

“Mama is down there right now so she’ll be there to help! Again, thank you so much!”

Willow turned to me and leaned up to kiss me on the cheek. “I’ll see you later, babe. Good luck with the cattle!”

She turned and grabbed her coat and walked out the door. Lilah clapped her hands and ran upstairs to grab the bags. “Let’s do this, Mav!”

I started to clean up the house and throw dinner in the oven. Lilah came down the stairs and opened the french doors to the porch. She started to place candles all over the porch.

“Uh, sis? Are you planning on lighting all of those?”

Lilah just laughed as she turned one of the candles upside down. “Battery-powered. You two are totally gonna get it on after Willow sees this setup. Don’t want a fire ruining all your plans.”

I threw my head back and laughed as I pulled Lilah into a big hug. “You are totally a weirdo, but I love you. Thank you for all this help.”

Lilah kissed my cheek and went back inside to grab a blanket and more stuff. “Here, hold these bags and follow me.” We walked down to the field and Lilah put all the stuff down. “You set up here. I’m going back to finish the house. You have 30 minutes until dinner is done and like two hours before Willow gets back. Get a move on!”

I finished up in the field and headed back up to the house. Lilah was doing some light cleaning so I went to the kitchen to finish up dinner. The chicken and veggies looked perfect so I quickly put them into a container, grabbed two glasses, some whiskey and threw it all into a bag. Lilah came down the stairs and looked around the house.

---