Chapter 26
Maia was courageous. Henry liked that about her, although he could see the disadvantages too.
Maia wanted to act, and he understood that.
No military man enjoyed the hurry and wait of battle, but it was a necessary part of soldiering—considering the angles and making strategic decisions to emerge safely.
But she wasn’t impetuous. Maia went the cautious route if she could see the sense in waiting or following instructions rather than racing into danger. That might change because, along with being rattled, anger consumed her.
“What if we’re completely wrong, and it is something to do with my writing?” she asked suddenly.
“Or it could be a third party who has watched and knows your routine. People often follow habits without noticing.”
“I hope they’ve run out of puppies,” Maia said in a dark voice. “That alone shows this person needs containment in a deep, black hole.”
“You’re not wrong.” He’d like to see how the perpetrator reacted to pain. But he didn’t mention this. “Want a drink? Tea? Something stronger?”
“Do you have whisky?”
“I have a bottle of Scottish whisky.”
Henry directed Maia toward his suite. Every part of him wanted to investigate and find whoever upset Maia.
Yet he also wanted to keep her safe. It was difficult to let her out of his sight, but he knew instinctively that smothering Maia’s independence was the worst move.
It was bloody tricky balancing his fears for Maia and his need to protect her, as he hadn’t protected Jenny.
Unconsciously, he tugged her against his side as they entered his suite. He flicked on a light, his gaze instantly assessing for threats.
Nothing out of place.
He consciously relaxed and smiled at her. “I’ll get that drink. Do you take anything with it?”
Maia drifted over to his leather three-seater couch and sat with a beleaguered sigh. She pulled a mauve throw rug over her knees. “Three ice cubes.”
His brow quirked at her preciseness, but he pulled two crystal glasses from the cupboard and ice out of the freezer. He splashed a generous measure into each glass and handed one to Maia.
“I like it here,” Maia said when he joined her on the couch.
“I like your suite’s privacy and the shared rooms’ madness.
There’s always someone around if I want company, yet everyone does their own thing.
My place doesn’t feel like home. I’d hoped to make it into a lovely, peaceful haven where I could write and spend time when I wasn’t away for rugby.
I thought I’d get past the memories of my aunt if I stamped my personality on the place.
It was working until this started.” She made an air gesture with her right hand, and Henry understood.
All her frustration and anger at the violation of her privacy shimmered in her words.
“Move in with me permanently,” Henry said, meeting and holding her gaze.
“It will take time to repair the windows and put right the damage done today. Once it’s liveable again, rent it.
There is a shortage of accommodation in the area, and you’ll find a tenant soon enough.
Use it as an investment property.” He paused, still studying her while anxiously waiting for her reply.
“I’ll consider it,” she said. “The break-in might be an opportunity to do serious remodeling, but the terrible memories linger. Every time I glimpse that enormous tree in my garden, I see the puppy. When I hang out my washing, I see the tank with that possum.” Her hand tightened on the glass.
“Everywhere I look, I see clowns and other things.”
“Maia, I love having you here with me. I enjoy coming home from work, and you’re here. I like spending time with you. My place feels more like a home when you’re here.” Nothing but the truth. He’d been lonely before. Maia brought contentment he hadn’t experienced for years.
She smiled, making her blue eyes sparkle. That smile warmed him inside and out. Now, all he needed to do was tell her he was a wolf who sometimes howled at the moon.
“I enjoy being with you, too, now that you’ve stopped running.”
Henry shifted uncomfortably. “Some people will comment on our age difference. Sometimes, it still concerns me when considering the disparity in our world experiences.”
“Just because I’m younger doesn’t mean I don’t know what I want from life.
I don’t care what other people think. It’s you that matters, and me.
No one else.” She was so fierce, her blue eyes shooting fiery sparks at him.
“Do I want to travel? Yes, but we can do that together. We have things in common. We like living in Middlemarch. We love community. I hope we will have children. I want it all with you, Henry. Everything.”
Henry’s throat tightened and damned if his eyes didn’t tear up at her declaration.
He loved spending time with her, and everything about her fascinated him.
He swallowed hard, and his lips curved into a smile with minimal coaching.
“You’re so brave and fierce. So determined.
You know exactly what you want and aren’t afraid to pursue your goals. I admire that.”
Her brows arched. “Enough to kiss me?”
“Oh,” he said, his voice no more than a whisper. “I can do better than that.”
“Only if you mean it, Henry. I can’t take you second-guessing because people make snide remarks.”
At that moment, even though he didn’t think it possible, Henry fell even more in love with Maia. He set his glass down and took Maia’s from her. Seconds later, she sat astride his knees, her eyes wide in surprise. Joy and a hunger to seize everything she’d offered suffused Henry.
He wanted children whenever Maia was ready. He’d love to explore unfamiliar places with her at his side. But most of all, he wanted Maia.
He captured her lips, sipping and tasting her before lust sank its teeth into him.
Henry plundered her mouth, kissing her, touching her until his world righted itself and everything was in balance again.
He broke their kiss to whip her long-sleeved T-shirt over her head.
Her bra disappeared next, and he kissed down her neck, giving in to the temptation to nip.
She shuddered and pressed closer, her breasts brushing his chest.
Hell, he needed closer contact. Skin.
He drew back again and peeled off his black shirt, ripping buttons.
He ran his hands over her shoulders and down her back, pressing her closer while he licked and explored her breasts.
Her nipples tightened in the cool air, and he ran his tongue over one nub before drawing it into his mouth and sucking hard.
A groan rumbled from her, and her fingernails dug into his biceps.
The sharp pricks into his flesh ran straight to his cock.
Maia shifted on his knees, rubbing against the hard ridge. Henry shuddered, barely controlling himself. No, this wouldn’t do. He abruptly stood, holding Maia upright until she maintained her balance.
In a flurry of movement, Henry stripped off her track pants to reveal naked, creamy skin.
He tossed the pants away before ripping at his fly.
He hauled his jeans and boxers down to his knees, allowing his erection to spring free.
Only then did he sit and haul Maia back astride his knees.
He skimmed her body with his hands, savoring her soft, fragrant skin.
He cupped one hip and explored the folds of her sex, stroking her gently in the way she enjoyed.
A whimper escaped her, and she kissed his face, his shoulders as she arched her back to give him easier access.
His fingers slid back and forth, teasing her but not giving her too much friction.
“Henry. Henry.” She gripped his shoulders, those fingers of hers digging into his flesh. “Please. I need to come.”
He lifted her enough so she could sink onto his cock. She took him slowly, an increment at a time, teasing both of them.
“You feel amazing. I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this, even when we’re old and wrinkly.”
He barked out a laugh, amused at the vision her words conjured. “Let’s just enjoy now.”
“Yes,” she whispered, rising before sinking back down and taking every inch of him without warning. She didn’t settle but rose and fell swiftly, her head thrown back and her hair waving around her shoulders with each vigorous move.
Henry focused on this beautiful woman who was suitable for him in every way.
His perfect match. Each of her frenzied moves drew him deeper, the clasp of her pussy gloving him perfectly.
He smoothed his hand down her back and back up before leaning forward to suck one nipple into his mouth.
He drew hard. She instantly rippled around his cock, clenching him tighter.
“Touch yourself,” he said. “I can’t hold on for much longer.”
“So don’t. This isn’t a race. You’ve shown me that,” she replied, tightening her inner muscles.
Henry swore he saw stars, the jolt of pleasure searing his entire body.
Maia stroked her clit, and her sheath clenched around him.
Henry tried to hold back. He did, but the next urgent rise and drop of her body pushed him over the edge.
He exploded, the force of his release stealing his breath and making him realize they hadn’t used a condom.
Again.
Maia gasped, her grip on his shoulders tightening to a point shy of pain. She cried out, the minute ripples running through her massaging his cock. When she stilled, he embraced her, satisfied.
His woman.
The one he wanted in his future.
All he needed was to get past this next hurdle.
“We forgot the condom again.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Maia said. “I’m on birth control. I told you this.”
“No birth control is one hundred percent effective. I want you to play rugby. You should play and finish on your terms, not because of an unexpected pregnancy. Not that I wouldn’t love any child we had, but you should achieve your dreams.”
He meant every word. This was a non-negotiable point. He loved her. He did, even though he hadn’t told her this yet. She must aim high, and he’d support her every step of the way.
“Henry,” she said, closing the distance between them to kiss his lips tenderly.
“I appreciate that level of support. I dream of playing for the Black Ferns—seven a side or in the first fifteen. But I don’t want to do that forever.
Along with my writing, I’d like to find a part-time job in or near Middlemarch.
I haven’t decided what, but I’m open to possibilities. It’s always fun learning new things.”
A shiver ran through her, and Henry lifted her off him and stood. “Let’s warm up in bed, and you can tell me more about this mythical job.”
“I don’t want to lock myself away and write all the time.” She slipped into bed. “Adding something different to my routine improves my writing flow and life balance.”
Henry hopped into his bed. He’d thought it before and thought it now. Having Maia here relaxed him. He drew her against his chest and flipped the covers into place.
“The puppy is safe, isn’t she?” Maia asked. “I’d be heartbroken if she disappeared because this moron got his hands on her again. I meant to call Gavin and ask about security. I can’t believe someone would do this to play with my head. It’s sick.”
“You can’t forget this person might injure you—something worse than a knock on the head. So far, they’ve taunted you, tried to scare you. They might up the ante.”
“I know.” Maia turned a troubled gaze on him. “I understand, but I can’t stop living my life. My training is important. I can’t impress the Black Ferns’ coaches if I’m constantly warming the bench.”
“I get it, and I’m glad you’ve decided to stay with me. Having you here means more eyes on you. If you’re alone, it gives them more leeway to strike.”
“I won’t go anywhere without company, apart from team training. Our sessions are closed, and I can’t expect anyone to sit around waiting for up to two hours. It’s winter, and people have commitments.”
“All I ask is for you to keep your phone handy. Make sure it’s fully charged. Limit your exposure and try not to pattern your days. Run at different times. Write at different times. Don’t make it easy for this dickhead.”
Henry’s phone rang, and he climbed out of bed to rummage amongst the pile of clothes he’d dropped on the floor.
“Yeah, Laura. What’s up?” He listened. “Did you believe her? Yeah. Okay.” He hung up.
“Your friend Rebecca reported her car stolen three hours before Laura contacted her. She told her local police she’d parked it in the driveway.
Locked. The car had vanished when she went to drive to her parents for dinner.
Laura checked with the cops. Your other friend attended a twenty-first in Wellington. ”
“Back to square one,” Maia muttered. “I hate this.”