Page 67 of Concede

Chapter 37

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It’s Sunday, a beautiful day for a party. These guys don’t really need a reason to have a party. It’s pretty outside, so food is on the grill and the pool is full of brothers and a handful of hoochies. I walk in the kitchen and glance around at these crazy people who have now become my family.

“Hey pretty girl.” Widow wraps an arm around my shoulder and gives a light squeeze.

“Hey there.” I smile up at him and reach for a watermelon slice from the counter.

Widow and I have actually started to become friends. He’s a very perceptive man. He knew from day one what was going on between Maverick and me. Even when we didn’t. My eyes catch Romeo who has a pretty brunette sitting on his lap. He winks at me and flips his hat backwards. He is truly the ladies man around here. Smooth and charming, wrapped up in muscles and tattoos. If I wasn’t completely gone for the club president, I might have given him a second look. He’s a good guy, but those pick up lines just don’t work for me. Unless they're coming from a tall, demanding, brown eyed, control freak. Obviously.

Boston and Tank are in a heated debate by the pantry on which marinate should be used when cooking steaks. Boston has his Yankee views while Tank’s southern roots are deep. Knuckles and Ember are dancing in the main room to Aerosmith’s “Angel.” They are seriously the cutest couple. Dice, Skittles and Preach are back at the poker table while Maxine and Gerry chatter about the latest gossip of Paradise.

I look over at the pool table and see Travis, Dani, Maverick, and Buck playing a game. After his shot, Maverick's eyes catch mine and he smiles. His smile is infectious, causing me to return it and my cheeks to heat.

“Dom, are you serious? You just hit my stick while I was shooting!” Dani screeches.

He shrugs a shoulder. “Sorry, Daniella. It was a pure accident.”

They begin to banter while Maverick and I never lose eye contact. My brother’s raised voice reminds me he’s standing only a few feet from us, so I blink and break the connection before going back to the kitchen.

A couple of hours later I managed to get thrown into the pool not once, but twice. I could kill Skittles. This time I was in dry clothes. I towel dried the best I could and darted in the back door to change. I stepped through the kitchen when voices caught my attention to my right, from the laundry room.

“Come on Maverick. You know I can make you feel good.” Chasity's voice is laced with honey, and I see her trail her god awful fingernails down his chest. They don’t see me.

I can feel my heartbeat in my ears. Moment of truth. If he kisses her, I might die. I’m about to lose my cool when he swipes her hand away. “Chasity, I already told you. Find someone else to climb on. I’m not interested anymore.”

She pouts and places her hands on her hips, over the tiny strings that are holding on a small shred of material. It barely covers her pubic bone.

“But you always...” she starts to whine.

He holds up a hand. “Chasity, look I’m sorry, but that will never happen ever again. Are we clear?”

“It’s that little bitch, isn’t it?” She sneers.

It causes me to flinch when he forcefully steps towards her. “Watch your mouth. I don’t want to ever hear you call her that again. I will end you, Chasity. Don’t. Fuck. With. Me.”

He moves slightly towards the kitchen, so I take off towards the stairs. I’m running. Why am I running? My heart is racing, and I almost can’t believe what I just saw. He told her no and defended me. Emotions blossom in my chest and between my legs. I told him to prove it. He just did. He really does want me.

I’m standing in the middle of our bedroom with my wet clothes clinging to my skin when I hear the door open. Maverick walks in and closes it with a weird expression on his face as he looks me over.

“Uh, babe? What happened to you?” He chuckles.

I don’t know what came over me, but I launched myself at him, sealing my lips to his.

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