Page 91 of Take My Name
Then he kisses my temple, and I do just that.
chapter fifteen
Warren
Chucky crows brightand early as he always does, waking me for the day, even when I’m not ready to face what might be in store.
Glancing across the bed, Maisie sleeps soundly, and I’m thankful she didn’t get sick. I hate to leave her here alone, but I have to be at work in an hour.
I take a quick shower to help me wake up, then head to the kitchen to whip up a smoothie for her inevitable headache and some breakfast for myself. Grabbing some pills and a glass of water, I go back to my room and see she’s not moved.
“Maze…” I kneel next to her, rubbing the pad of my thumb over her cheek. “I gotta leave for work soon, but I brought you some stuff.”
My eyes lower to her shoulders and the white T-shirt she’s wearing instead of her dress. I left it out on the chair next to my dresser in case she needed it and she must’ve changed in the middle of the night. I vaguely remember hearing her get up to use the bathroom at some point.
“Hm?” She nuzzles into my pillow, which is now going to smell like her, and wrinkles her nose. “What?”
“Hangover smoothie and water is on the nightstand with some meds. New body scrub and hair products in the shower for ya if you wanna use ’em before you go. An extra toothbrush, too.”
She flutters one eye open, finally looking at me. “You finally stocked your bathroom?”
“For you.”
“Wow, that was very sweet.” A shy smile stretches across her face. “Probably more than I deserve.”
“Well…” Unable to resist touching her, I brush loose strands of hair behind her ear. “I’m in this to win you back, especially now knowin’ who I’m up against.”
Her eyes widen as if she forgot she shared that little tidbit.
“Oh my God!” She smacks a palm to her forehead. “I shouldn’t have blurted that.”
“Not the best way to find out my favorite author’s engaged to my wife, but I’m glad I know now. The chickens will enjoy the ripped pages in their coop.”
She gasps, and I chuckle. Did she really think I’d keep those books in my house? At the very least, they can be used for bedding.
“I was gonna tell you…eventually. There was no easy way to mention it without makin’ things tense.”
I shrug, agreeing that it probably put her in a difficult situation once she saw my books.
“Drunk off your ass was one way to go.”
She squeezes her eyes shut. “I’m so sorry for last night. I fucked up.”
“You needed a night where your braincould shut off for a few hours. I’d rather you do that with me than by yourself anyway.”
“My stomach and head are cussin’ me out, but I had fun dancin’ with you. Felt like we were twenty-one again.”
“I did, too.” My grin forms into a scowl. “Until my brothers stole you.”
She groans, digging deeper into the mattress and pulling the covers over her face. “Any chance we can forget last night happened?”
“Not a chance,” I say, yanking them down so I can see her beautiful eyes. “Forever ingrained into my memory. Especially carryin’ you out over my shoulder and you beggin’ me to kiss you in my truck.”
“And now I’m gonna die of humiliation.” She reaches for my pillow and plops it over her face.
“So dramatic.” I chuckle, pushing it away, then cup her cheek and rub the pad of my finger over it. “As long as you stay sober enough tonight to gimme permission, I’ll kiss you—assumin’ you still want me to.”
A blush covers her face and neck.
