14. Sophie
14
Sophie
“ S oph.” Callie snapped her fingers in front of my face, breaking me from my daydream of Maverick’s lips on mine. “What’s going on? You’ve been distracted since I sat down.”
I looked at my friend, feeling guilty that she came all this way to have hang out with me in my office, and here I was spacing out. I suddenly understood why she had gotten so wrapped up in her head when she and Liam were on and off.
Callie’s eyes glittered with light-hearted suspicion as I blinked my thoughts away. “Sorry, I’m just…” Just what? I couldn’t think of anything to say. I shook my head, hoping it would clear the cobwebs in my mind.
She smiled. “Holy shit. It’s that club owner. He’s getting to you, isn’t he?”
I frowned. “What? Maverick? God, no. Absolutely not. Don’t be ridiculous.” I didn’t sound convincing in the slightest, and it only made Callie’s smile grow.
“Can’t wait to tell Liam about this. We made a bet on whether or not you’d hook up. I won, if you can’t tell.”
Rolling my eyes, I said, “First of all, we haven’t hooked up. Not really. Second of all, don’t tell Liam about this. Remember how serious he got that night at the club? When I came back from meeting with Mav? He was all, ‘ Soph, be careful around him. He’s dangerous.’ ” I dropped my voice to sound manly, mimicking Liam’s reprimanding tone. “While you giggled like a maniac. News flash: nothing really happened then, either. An accidental nip slip and I practically ran out of there.”
Callie cackled. While I loved seeing my best friend so carefree and happy, I wasn’t quite in the head space to find it amusing. “He did sound like that, didn’t he?” She paused to wipe a tear that had slipped out. “Let’s circle back to how you just gave him a cute little nickname, ‘kay? Mav? How many times have you seen him? Also, what do you mean by ‘not really’ hooked up?”
I flinched. Her third degree was unyielding; it’s what made her a good cop, and normally I didn’t mind it, but how was I supposed to tell her that I was wildly attracted to a man who was clearly a criminal, who fraternized with murderers and was probably one himself, who’d approached me with my cop friends and propositioned me to take out one of the men who killed my father?
Not to mention that some twisted part of me was turned the fuck on by all of that. And here I was about to go to his house for dinner, discuss all his dirty little secrets, and get off at the mercy of his fingers and tongue and cock?
Dios mio, why did I have to think about that? Now I was squirming. Which Callie noticed, of course.
“Sophie. Why are you being so weird about this? You clearly have the hots for him.”
“Because I met him under dangerous circumstances, okay?” I snapped. “And I don’t want you or Liam caught up in this bullshit drama. Yes, I’m really into him and he almost fucked me a few nights ago outside of a restaurant, where I crashed his date because apparently he turns me into a psycho, jealous Latina—which I swore I’d never be—yet here I am, just because he stopped following me around, and I wanted to know why. So I’m going to his house for dinner tonight and I’m nervous and excited and I don’t know what it means for me, but he understands me in ways I can’t even begin to describe, and I barely know him.”
I was breathing hard by the time the word vomit stopped, my pulse thrumming in my ears. My fingers gripped the edge of my desk like a lifeline as I tried to rein it in. Across from me, Callie exhaled slowly, setting her bottled water down with deliberate care. She leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest, her expression unreadable as she took her time, letting the silence stretch between us.
“Shit. Sorry. I shouldn’t—”
“Stop,” she interrupted, reaching across my desk and resting her hand on my forearm. “Don’t apologize. You know I’ve never cared about your indiscretions in our line of work. Everyone operates differently, and judgments get clouded all the time. Your darkness, Soph, doesn’t scare me. I’ve always known it was there, but since you never talked about it, I never asked. I’ve only ever cared about your well-being and safety.”
My eyes watered, because she was right: I’d never outright told her these things. She gave me a soft smile, as if reading my mind.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice? We were partners for years. I knew there were times you took a perp down when we could have avoided it. Your moral compass points to that of a vigilante justice-seeker, avenging peoples’ wrongs, not waiting until justice is legally served. And that’s okay.”
I sniffled, wiping my nose with the back of my hand. “I never thought you’d be okay with knowing those pieces of me.”
She shrugged. “It was an unspoken thing between us. Kind of like your eating disorder.” That had my gaze snapping to hers, but she still had a soft look on her face. “I may not have agreed with it, but… I’m different now. The world isn’t black and white like I’d once believed it was. After everything that happened with Oliver…” She shook her head. “Well, a lot of mistakes were made by law enforcement officials, and that was them following procedure every step of the way.” She sighed, shaking her head slightly. “What I’m trying to say is, you’re perfect as you are, and I love and accept all those parts of you. If you choose to talk about it more, I’m here for you. And if not, that’s fine, too.”
“Thank you, Cal.” My voice was quiet, strained. “Dean… he never—could never—understand those parts of me. I never felt safe enough to show him all of me. We couldn’t work out, no matter how much I may have wanted it to. But Maverick… God, he gets it. He gets me. Said it himself. Even if that means he’s on the other side of the law.”
Callie raised her eyebrows. “You’d sacrifice your career?”
“What? No—I’ve never given that any thought.”
“Hmm.” She pulled back to relax into her chair. “So, you’re seeing him tonight? Is he going to eat your kitty cat?”
I laughed, some of the pressure in my chest lifting. “I wish you’d stop saying that. But yes, probably. I should confirm with him about tonight. Right?” Or maybe I was just making an excuse to hear his voice because I hadn’t heard from him since we exchanged those lewd photos.
A small part of me wondered, again, if I’d scared him off.
Callie just hummed, telling me she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“I’m going to call him,” I said.
That had her perking up. “Put it on speaker.”
He picked up on the first ring, and I hated that my stomach did that stupid fluttering thing that made my heart lodge in my throat.
“Sophie,” he greeted, tone dripping in honey.
“What, no Detective ?” I mocked. A grin split my face in half, and I should've hated how happy talking to him made me feel, but fuck, I didn’t. I loved it.
“Would you prefer I call you that?” His timbre dipped, nearly raspy, and Callie fanned herself in a playful way. My face and ears heated, my stomach muscles clenching in response.
“Either is fine,” I squeaked.
Maverick chuckled, and it was a delightful sound. “I told you I’d call you whatever you want, baby.” Baby.
Well, fuck me. I was putty, and Callie knew it, too, by the way she sat back in her chair and covered her mouth.
“Mmhm,” I murmured noncommittally. “That’s good, too, Mav.”
“Do I make you nervous, baby?”
More like horny.
Clearing my throat, I said, “You don’t affect me at all.”
“Mmhm,” he threw back, disbelief coating the word. “Well, your picture the other night would say otherwise.”
I sucked in a breath and glanced at Callie again, whose eyes were bright with amusement as she mouthed, “What picture?” I waved her off.
“Shut up,” I snapped playfully.
“What did I tell you about talking to me that way?”
I shifted in my seat. Okay, so he was in a flirtatious mood, and I needed to play along despite Callie sitting here. I’d never live this down. “And I told you I was okay with it. Sir. ”
Callie covered her face as her cheeks turned pink. Yeah, he does that to me, too, girl.
“You’re awfully brazen today, Detective. Is there a reason you called me, or did you just want to hear my voice?”
“Both,” I blurted before I could stop myself. “Mostly I just wanted to confirm we’re still on for dinner tonight. Because if not, I had plans to go out with Callie and not wear any panties while we danced.” I dared a peek at my friend, who was now clutching the arms of her chair and leaning forward, mouth agape.
So dramatic.
Maverick chuckled darkly. “Don’t even fucking think about it,” he growled. “Halls will be there to pick you up at six.” He paused. “And don’t wear panties. You won’t need them.”
Every inch of my skin was on fire. “Okay. See you tonight.” I hung up, taking several deep breaths before I braved looking at Callie.
“Who are you and what have you done with Sophie? There’s so much to unpack from that phone call. Holy fuck. Hold on.” She pulled her phone out and sent a quick text. “I had to tell Liam that I’d be stopping by his office later and to be prepared. This has me hot and bothered.”
My face warmed further as my phone pinged.
Maverick 1:13 PM
Can’t wait to see you tonight—and that pretty pussy of yours.
“Oh my God,” I groaned, my hormones insatiable as I once again thought about his mouth on me.
“What? Let me see.” Callie snatched my phone out of my hand and fanned herself again. “Damn, Soph, you’ve got this guy wrapped around your little finger, don’t you?”
“I don’t know how this happened. Honestly.”
“Does it matter?”
I shrugged. “Depends who you ask. It’s just… there’s this, like, magnetic pull between us. We both tried to fight it.”
She nodded. “I get it. That’s how it’s always been with me and Liam, too.” That was true, so I guess she did understand. “That’s a good sign.”
Huffing, I said, “That also depends on who you ask.”
“Just focus on enjoying yourself tonight. You need it. And clearly, he needs you. So give that to him, if you want to, and let everything else fall into place. I’m here to love and support you no matter what happens.”
I smiled. “Thanks, Cal. I’m really glad you came by today.”
“Me, too. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go fuck my fiancé.”
***
I waited with bated breath as I nervously rapped on Maverick’s door. I left my courage in the black car that escorted me, and the butterflies in my stomach were of near-violent nature. Curiosity and anxiety twisted through me. It wasn’t too late to turn back—
The door swung open and revealed a delicious-looking Maverick in a white Oxford with sleeves rolled to his elbows, showing off mouthwatering tattoos. Black dress pants, perfectly tailored to his thighs. My mouth went dry as my eyes swept over him.
I was instantly turned on, from my head all the way to my toes. My thighs squeezed together, my nipples chafing against my lace bra, my skin feeling hot and itchy.
Maverick cleared his throat and stepped aside. “Come in, Detective.” I was mildly disappointed he didn’t call me by my first name—even though he told me to tell him what I wanted to be called—but I kept my cool as I brushed past him. My breasts skimmed across his abs, and his sharp intake of breath only heightened my arousal.
Fuck.
His palm on my lower back further weakened my willpower as he guided me through the foyer and into his home. I couldn’t help but glance around at this mysterious man’s penthouse; I briefly wondered what he actually did outside of his club that allowed him to afford this place in New York City.
From cool gray walls, dark floors, black granite counters, a large open floor plan, and floor-to-ceiling windows, it was every bit the bachelor pad I imagined. But what offset the modern starkness of the space was the tantalizing smell coming from the kitchen. It made me realize how hungry I was, and not just for the man standing behind me.
I took it all in before slowly turning to face him. “What, no pictures of your family to make the space more inviting?” I teased, hoping to ease some of the raw tension in the air.
Maverick did that thing where his eyes narrowed ever so slightly in both amusement and warning. It made my pussy throb more than I wanted to admit.
“My family isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy, Sophie.”
Ohhh, fuck.
The bar was on the fucking floor if him saying my name in such a gravelly tone made me wet. That really spoke to my poor taste in men up until now.
“Well, neither is your penthouse.” I said it sarcastically, but the coldness that washed over his features had me second-guessing my approach. Before I could defend myself, he grabbed my waist and pushed me against the wall in the living room, placing his hands on either side of me. I was trapped.
My heart beat a million miles a minute as I leveled with him, tried not to show any fear—especially not the fact that the little bit of contact from his hands made my core tighten. I held my breath.
“We agreed this was on my terms, yes?” he growled, leaning in so close that his scent wrapped around me, dark and intoxicating—cedar and cloves, the lingering bite of expensive whiskey, something distinctly him. It coiled low in my stomach, a dizzying mix of danger and desire, and his warmth only made it worse, seeping into my skin like a slow burn I couldn’t escape. Dios mio, I needed to get a grip.
I managed a small nod.
Maverick grabbed my chin with one hand and tipped my face up, tugging on my lip to release it from my teeth. “Don’t bite your lip around me. That’s rule number one. Got it?”
Another nod.
“Good girl. Rule number two: when you’re in my space, you’re subject to whatever punishment I see fit for that little attitude you like to cop with me.” He must’ve seen the wariness on my face, because he added, “I will never push you past what you can handle. I promise you’ll enjoy it, and at times you’ll be out of your comfort zone, but I will never hurt you. Are we on the same page?”
My legs trembled, so I braced myself against the wall as I whispered, “Yes, sir.”
His eyes dropped to my lips. “Jesus, Sophie, don’t say that to me unless you want me to react to it. Is that what you want?” I gulped and nodded again. His lips quirked; not a kind smile, but it was beautiful nonetheless.
Maverick gripped my waist in one hand and my cheek in the other, giving me an urgent kiss that threw me completely off- kilter. I sighed, my lips parting to let him in, and he took full advantage—his tongue stroking against mine in fast, deliberate strokes, each one sending my head spinning and heat curling low in my core. I melted into him, grasping for something to hold onto, but he was already consuming me, piece by piece.
He pressed his hips into mine, his thick length an ever-present reminder that he was as affected by our chemistry as I was. Both hands trailed over my hips, squeezing and kneading until he reached the hem of my dress, pausing when he reached the lace trim of the thigh-high stockings I wore.
He pulled away to yank my dress up and gawked at my panty-free pussy and garter belt. The shock coloring his face pleased me. I widened my stance and held my chin high. “Like what you see?”
His midnight blue irises flashed, pupils dilated with lust. His knuckles whitened as he clutched the skirt of my dress tightly.
“I’m not sure how to keep my hands off you. You’re fucking perfect, Sophie.” Heat raced through me at the raw praise, my grin slipping out before I could stop it. Maverick’s grip on my waist tightened; he was fighting a losing battle with restraint. His chest rose and fell against mine, the tension between us thick enough to drown in.
“I need to taste you.” His voice was rough, almost desperate. He wasn’t just saying it—he was unraveling, and I felt every inch of his control snapping as he pulled me closer, as if I was the only thing he could hold onto.
“Please,” I breathed, writhing under his touch as his fingers brushed over my clit. I cried out.
He paused. “Beg me again.”
“ Please, Maverick. Touch me, taste me, make me come. I need it. Need you.”
Maverick fell to his knees, and the sight of this beautiful man staring up at me reverently, dark locks tumbling over his forehead, nearly undid me. His thumb circled my clit, his eyes watching my reaction as my back arched off the wall. He did it again. And again. And again, until the start of an orgasm coiled deep within me. But then he stopped and leaned in, replacing his thumb with his tongue and licking, sucking, circling me as if it was the only time he’d ever taste me.
God, I hoped not.
I could already tell this orgasm would be intense; it would take over every thought and muscle and fucking ruin me.
He flattened his tongue, and I was almost there. “Yes, yes, ” I cried. “There, there, please, please don’t stop.” Then he inserted two fingers and I trembled, cresting, so close to falling off the ledge.
“Christ, Sophie, you’re so fucking wet. And it’s all mine. Isn’t it? Tell me it’s all mine.”
“Yours, yes, only yours,” I breathed.
He continued his relentless tongue-lashing until fire consumed me and I was moaning incoherent words, gripping fistfuls of his hair and shuddering and pulsing. I was spiraling out of this world, wondering where he’d been all my life. Even as I floated back down, he continued kissing and stroking with his lips and fingers until I was settled.
“Fucking beautiful,” he murmured as he leaned back, letting my dress fall back into place. His mouth was shiny with my arousal as he slowly rose to his feet again. Our striking height difference reminded me how small I was. It made me feel dainty and feminine.
“I’ve never… I’ve never come that hard before,” I admitted, still dazed.
He smirked, but I could see pride in his eyes. He pressed a kiss to my mouth before pulling away. I yearned for more, wanted to throw caution to the wind and forgo any conversation. I reached out to grab the waistband of his pants. He pushed my hands away.
“As much as I’m aching for you, and I am, it will have to wait. You need to hear everything I have to say before you decide you want to touch me like this.”
I stared up at him, a little speechless and maybe the tiniest bit hurt that he still thought I wouldn’t want him. I didn’t tell him that, though. That would make me too clingy. “Okay, fine, but I’m returning the favor later.”