Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Henley
If tomorrow ever comes
I checked on Hulk again before grabbing my journal and heading to the porch to watch the sunset.
I hadn’t missed a single day since the store delivered my piece of outdoor furniture, and I wasn’t going to let today’s events change that.
So, I cracked the front door in case Hulk woke up and needed to find me.
Just as I sat down, Maverick pulled out of his drive.
Where are you headed off to Mr. Hotness?
Damn, I’d promised to stop snooping. I hung my head. I can’t help myself.
I closed my eyes briefly, taking a deep breath and enjoying the smell of cut grass as the neighbor across the street ran the mower.
It was an aroma I loved as a kid. I’d sit on the porch and watch my father.
It was a time when I truly felt happy so I allowed myself to steal this moment to remember.
When I opened my eyes, a black range rover pulled into the drive next door, and Maverick waved when he exited his vehicle carrying takeout from the restaurant down the road.
The sound of the mower stopped, signaling that Mr. Johnson was done. I watched as he pushed his mower into his garage and closed the door. The sun slowly dropped, and I reached for the book beside me.
I enjoyed the feel of the warmth on my face as the sun kissed my skin and I stared at the golden globe slowly lower on the horizon.
Another day ended bringing with it the realization that this was my life now.
Not the one where I’d been told what to do and what I could and couldn’t have.
I now owned the dog I once wished to have.
This was my porch, my house and I was the only one holding me back.
I no longer had to wonder what it would be like to have someone do something just for me, I now knew that feeling.
Today a new chapter in my life began. One that involved a handsome stranger, a dog, and a pair of green eyes that sucked me in and made me weak in the knees.
Perfect pink lips hid pearly white teeth and a tempestuous tongue I now fantasized about.
One I knew could drive me crazy with desire.
“Hello.” Maverick’s voice pulled my attention from my journal. As if I had wished him to fruition, there he stood, two beer bottles in his hand. “I thought maybe we could get to know each other a little better, since we’re starting over and all,” he said as he passed a bottle my way.
“Thank you.” I smiled, accepting the beer from him.
“Well, alright then,” Maverick said as he lowered himself to sit beside me.
He clinked his bottle with mine, took a pull from his, and then started.
“Name’s Maverick Cates. I’m thirty-two and I’ve lived in Richardson all my life until now and the four years I went away to college in Texas.
I’m an only child. My parents had me late in life.
My father is deceased, and my mother”—he paused and winked at me again—“lives twenty minutes away in Richardson and comes to visit me every Sunday because she thinks I need to eat more. I’m an architect by trade but I’m more of a build-it-by-hand kind of guy.
Oh, and I recently bought a house that needs a lot of work, but she’s got solid bones and lots of potential.
When I’m finished, I hope it will make the pages of House Beautiful or Architectural Design magazine.
Going to France and seeing the Notre Dame Cathedral is one of my bucket list items.” After another quick swig, Maverick pointed his bottle at me. “Your turn.”
I was nervous about telling him anything about me. What if he didn’t like what he heard. I was never one to be embarrassed about myself, but my life compared to his was a disappointment.
“Come on, Henley. I shared, now it’s your turn.” Seeing what I assumed was the fear in my eyes, he nudged my leg with his. “There’s nothing you could say that would scare me away. I already know you’re a crazy stalker.” He smiled.
I took a deep breath and released it. “Here goes,” I sighed.
“I’m Henley Peterson. I’m twenty-six. My dad left when I was nine leaving my mom and I all alone.
My mom passed away the year before I went to college.
I grew up in a small town in Oregon and worked my ass off to get into Stanford.
I met my ex-boyfriend there and we moved in together my Sophomore year.
Eventually he convinced me to give up my dreams to help him fulfill his.
After five years of a one-sided relationship, I walked out, bought the perfect house in a quiet neighborhood, and lived here for the last eight months.
I work in human resources at a bank and have no social life other than with my best friend and coworker, Amanda. Oh, and I rarely have people visit.”
I dreaded looking into his eyes for fear I’d see nothing but pity. So I looked down at the bottle I held in my hand, bit at my bottom lip and braced for his response, recalling how Bill would make every situation about him.
I felt Maverick’s fingers lift my chin.
“I’m not sure what you’re feeling right now or why you won’t look at me. If you’re embarrassed, don’t be. If you’re scared that I’ll think you’re a loser, stop. We all make good and bad decisions. Whether we choose to be victims or survivors is on us. From what I’ve seen today, you’re no victim.”
I allowed myself the luxury of staring into his green eyes. Really looking, and I loved what I saw. Compassion and heat. When his hands grasped my cheeks and his head moved closer to mine, I wished for the kiss to follow soon, and Maverick didn’t disappoint.
His lips were soft and tender when they met mine. His tongue crossed over my lips, begging for entrance, and I gave in freely. His moan was barely audible, but I felt it in my mouth.
When his lips left mine, I immediately felt the loss, craving the feeling of his tender lips on again. But Maverick stood and I knew the moment was lost. “Did I do something wrong?” I asked; old habits of insecurity left over from Bill crept in.
“No,” Maverick replied. “You did everything right. But if I stay any longer, you’ll have second thoughts about trusting Hulk with me tomorrow and I don’t want to ruin that. Kissing you makes me want to do other things, Henley. Things I’d like to build up to.”
When he stood, I saw his arousal pressing against his jeans, and it caused a shiver to run through me. “Then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“Good night, Henley. Sweet dreams.”