Page 89 of Maverick

Willow just smiled and shook her head. “How many more surprises do you have up your sleeve?”

I just laughed as I helped her down the stairs. “You’ll see, baby girl. You’ll just have to see.”

We walked to the back of the studio and I pointed to a small structure next to the house. Willow looked up at me. “Okay so that’s too small for me or you sooo...”

“Orion has his very own doghouse! He helped pick everything out. Now he can hang out by himself outside. It’s close enough to the house and you can see it from your studio.”

Willow threw her arms around my waist. “Oh, Maverick! This is so cute! All of this is just so perfect.”

She started to cry again and I gathered her up in my arms. I gently kissed the top of her head. “Anything for you, babe. Let’s get inside and have some dinner.”

We walked to the front of the house and inside. I helped Willow sit down on the couch and headed into the kitchen.

Lilah had helped me prepare everything beforehand. I turned the oven on and got to work. Water in the pot and on the stove to boil, veggies in the pan, and the garlic herb and butter beef tenderloin roast in the other pan.

The oven dinged and I placed the roast and veggies in it. Setting the timer, I checked the water on the stove and closed the lid. I grabbed two beers from the fridge and walked over to Willow. I handed her a beer and sat down next to her.

“Dinner will be ready soon, babe. Anything I can get you?”

She shook her head. “Just you. I just want you to never let me go again. You didn’t have to do any of this, Mav. Just bringing me home would have been enough for me.”

I took her hands in mine and looked at her, “Willow. I want you to always have more than enough. I love you with everything I am and more.”

She leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. “God I love you, Maverick. How did I get so lucky?”

I laughed and gently stroked her hair. “I’m the lucky one, Willow. You have completed me. I always thought it was just about the club, but you...you have brought a whole new meaning to my life.”

The pot started to boil over and I hopped up to take care of it. I could hear Willow laughing as I tried to get it under control. I cleaned up the mess and poured the packet of couscous in the pot.

I carefully stirred it and then checked on the roast and veggies. Taking the pot off the heat, I placed it on the back burner and covered it up. Setting the timer for five minutes, I started to get plates and headed over to the table.

I made sure to set it just like Mama taught me. Willow came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist. “It smells amazing, Mav.”

“Almost done! Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get everything all set in the kitchen, babe.”

I helped Willow into her chair and headed back to the kitchen.

The oven dinged and I carefully opened it up. I put some roast and veggies on both of our plates and carried them over to the table.

Willow smiled as I placed her plate down. “I am one damn lucky girl. You can build, cook, you’re super hot, ride a motorcycle, what more could I ask for?”

I laughed as we dug into dinner. Willow moaned as she took her first bite. “Baby girl, don’t you go moaning like that or we will never finish dinner while it’s still warm.”

Willow winked at me as I got back to dinner. As we finished up, Orion was already asleep on the couch. I cleaned up and then helped Willow out of her chair.

“Surprise number six. I upgraded the security system in the house. You have your own passcode now. There are cameras all over the property and alarms at the driveway and around the house. And I plan to upgrade even more until Snake is found. I just want you to feel safe, babe.”

“I always feel safe when I’m around you, Maverick.”

I guided Willow to the back of the house. “Surprise number seven.” I opened the door and Willow gasped. “Brand new bedroom with you in mind, baby girl.”

A gorgeous four-post bed with curtains draped across the top sat right in front of us. It had a white fur rug underneath. I had added a brand new fireplace across from the bed. At the bottom of the bed, I had added a brand new dog bed for Orion.

Willow turned to me with tears in her eyes. “Maverick. This is stunning. I don’t even have the words to tell you.”

I carefully cupped her face, “You don’t have to, baby. I can see it all over your face. Now let’s get you to bed. You’ve had a long day.”

I guided Willow over to the closet and opened it up. All her clothes were hung and folded nicely. “All my clothes? And brand new ones?”

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