CHAPTER 104
harley
After a quick shower to clean up, we settled into his bed.
I wasted time. I knew I had to go back soon, but I wanted to absorb as much time with him as possible.
I eased my body over his, straddling his hips as the sheets tangled between us.
Maverick reclined on the pillows with one arm casually slung behind his head, the position showing off the tattoo on his arm.
My tattoo. That notion was emotionally overwhelming in a way I didn’t know how to handle.
His other hand settled on my thigh, his thumb rubbing lazy circles into my skin.
My fingers ghosted over his ribs as I kissed the hollow of his neck.
His head tilted back to give me better access.
My lips drifted up his neck as the fresh scent of soap filled my lungs.
I teased his pulse with my teeth and kissed the spot under his ear.
He let out a sigh, and his grip tightened on my thigh.
Other than that, he remained still under the attention I gave him.
I worked my way down his chest, exploring every inch of him with open-mouth kisses and small nips.
I didn’t bite him the way he bit me—I didn’t leave behind a mark.
But I did pay attention to how his muscles contracted when I teased certain spots or how his breath hitched in his throat. Those things were just as important.
His cock thickened slowly between my thighs, but I made no move to remedy the situation, and he didn’t seem to be in any hurry either.
I shifted as my mouth wandered lower, mapping the defined planes of his abdomen.
I traced the shallow grooves of his muscles with my tongue.
The contrasting texture of his warm skin and soft hair made my own dick twitch with excitement that I shoved to this side.
Maybe later. Right now, I just wanted to savor and memorize him.
I kissed the curve of his hipbone and nipped at his inner thigh.
His hips shifted instinctively under me, and his fingers brushed through my wet hair without expectation.
I teased the hardening length of his cock with my tongue, tracing the vein in one swoop, before returning my attention to his stomach.
I crawled my way back up his body, kissing every inch all over again, until I was settled in his lap with his length pressing against mine. The slight friction made him moan as my hips rolled once alongside his. I nuzzled the crook of his neck and teased his sensitive skin with my teeth.
Sitting up, I smoothed my hands over his chest as I stared at him.
In the dim light of the room, Maverick looked softer than I’d ever seen him.
It was a deep thing—something that I’d never seen in him before.
He was unguarded and completely at ease.
When had he ever been this relaxed in life?
There wasn’t an ounce of tension in any part of him.
There were no walls or fights to protect himself.
He simply existed, happy and at peace. I loved him like this.
I loved that this was his life now. He deserved it.
“What’re you thinking, princess?” Maverick asked sleepily, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through his chest.
“Just that I love you,” I said. That was about all I could think of.
“Come here,” he ordered and beckoned me closer.
I leaned in, and his fingers curled around the back of my neck, pulling me to him.
His mouth caught mine in a slow, lazy kiss—-unhurried and soft.
His tongue touched the seam of my lips in a silent question, and I parted, letting him in.
It was gentle and heartfelt, screaming with things we couldn’t quite put into words.
When we separated, he whispered, “I’m so happy we finally have this, Harley. ”
I knew he didn’t mean this moment specifically. Not this quiet aftermath or the closeness between us. He meant this chance. The ability to build something real between us. Something that didn’t fall apart when the world turned ugly. A future. Our future.