Page 88 of Connected By Stars
Bell
I like you soft and sappy. I better go inside. It’s showtime, lol. I’ll call you later tonight when I check into the hotel. I love you.
Maverick
Give them hell! I love you too, babe. More than I thought I was ever capable of feeling.
What the hell has gotten into me? It’s like I’m a walking Hallmark commercial.
Bell
The feeling is mutual.
I smile at the heart emoji and send her one back before getting back to work, hoping my balls might be found in one ofthese inventory boxes because I sure as hell have lost them. She makes me want to spew cheesy Hallmark stuff, and the funny thing is, I don’t mind it one bit.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Bella
I runup the stairs to Maverick’s apartment, excited to see him. Even though it’s only been two days, it feels so much longer. I miss waking up to him and falling asleep with him. It’s become a comfort to have him by my side and one I never want to live without.
I see the note on his door and grin when I read that he’s waiting for me at our spot. I turn around and head in the direction of the gazebo. I stop when I see candles lined up around the area and a blanket laid out in the middle with pillows. He even has Prosecco on ice with a cheese and fruit tray next to it.
“What’s all this?” I ask, coming up to him and throwing my arms around him.
Laughing, he hugs me tightly as I breathe in his scent. “It’s to celebrate your new account. My girl kicked ass and landed another one. We can’t let that go unnoticed. I’m so proud of you.”
“This is the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Thank you.” I say softly, meeting his eyes. “And you’re right. I did kick ass. They loved me.”
“What’s not to love.” His thumb brushes my lower lip, and Ilean into his touch. “I’ve gotten used to you in bed. I missed having you there. I’ve also realized I miss our talks during dinner and watching you read curled up next to me when I’m watching TV. Nothing seems right when you’re not here.” His fingers weave their way into my hair, and I bite back a moan at his touch. He glances down at my lip caught between my teeth, and the emeralds of his eyes darken.
Bending down, he takes my bottom lip with his teeth and tugs it back out before sucking it. I do moan this time and pull him closer to me as I fist his t-shirt. “Just so you know,” I say against his lips, “I’ve missed you too. My bed and my heart were lonely. Nothing seems right when you’re not there either.”
Groaning, he dives in deep and kisses me so thoroughly that the world around us seems to melt away, and he’s my only existence in this moment. “Mav…” I can barely get the word out, my emotions getting the best of me.
“I know, baby. I know. I feel it, too.” He runs his hands down my back as I cling to him. “Let’s get some food in you. You’ve got to be starving from driving most of the evening.” He takes my hand and pulls me down on the blanket.
Handing me a glass of Prosecco, he clinks his glass to mine. “To kicking ass,” he grins.
“To kicking ass,” I laugh, taking a sip and letting the cool bubbles slide down. “Mmmm. You sure know how to treat a woman.” I take a bite of a strawberry before turning and laying back against his chest.
“Not just any woman,” he says, wrapping his arms around me. “Just you.”
“Do you remember the time Sophia and I went camping with you and Noah on the island with all your friends? We must have been about sixteen. You told us we were too young to be hanging out with your friends on an overnight trip, but webegged you both to let us come. We knew other girls would be there, so we didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“I remember. You two snuck a bottle of tequila without us looking, and Noah and I had to guard you all night long.”
“You didn’t have to guard us,” I laugh. “Nobody tried anything.”
“That’s only because we threatened them beforehand not to lay a finger on either of you.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me,” I giggle. “When Sophia fell asleep, I came out of our tent and tripped over you. You had put your sleeping bag in front of our tent.”
“I didn’t want anyone trying to sneak in there. Just the thought of one of my friends trying something with you made me see red. You had a hold on me before I understood what I was feeling.” He nips my ear and nuzzles my neck, sending shivers down my spine.
“What you didn’t know was that I was on my way to seduce you.”
“What?” He stills on my neck and lifts his head.
