Chapter 12
Maverick
I'd spent years telling myself to stay away from her, and with a few choice words from my brothers, I let everything go and kissed her.
I wanted to make her come, but I hadn't expected her to get on her knees for me. She surprised me in the best way. I wanted to get to know the woman she was and not who I thought she was.
I couldn't regret anything because I was fairly sure I'd be reliving that moment in her shop forever.
Every second of it was like a fantasy played out in real life.
She'd even worn her glasses. I wouldn't get the image out of my head, of her looking up at me from under her lashes through those frames while her lips were wrapped around my dick.
I hadn't expected her to be so passionate. Was she like that with every man, or was it just with me? I liked to think that she let go with me in a way she didn't with others. I also didn't want to think about her being with other men.
I'd wanted to give her a night to remember, and she'd turned the tables on me, giving me the ultimate fantasy of a librarian in the stacks sucking me off.
I was in unchartered territory, and I'd have to be careful with our hearts. I didn't want to hurt her, but I wasn't sure I wouldn't. There was a reason I'd stayed away from her. She had the power to wreck me.
It was very possible I was going to screw this up. But I couldn't break things off now. I didn't want to push her away or avoid her anymore. Just the thought of that was physically painful. Instead, I leaned into the idea of dating her.
What would I do with a woman like Belle? I was confident in the bedroom, but I probably needed to take her on actual dates and spend time doing other things. I should have asked my brothers about that. But I was so excited to finally make a move; I hadn't thought it through.
I wanted to slow things down. Our relationship went into hyperdrive as soon as I walked into her store.
My heart was still racing from the intensity of the moment.
There was excitement to doing something so illicit, yet I made sure that we were protected.
No one could see us from the windows, and she didn't have cameras inside the store.
I'd given her the illusion of being caught without any actual danger. I wanted to do more things like that. I wanted to stretch her in ways she'd only fantasized about. I wanted to show her what life could be like when she let go and gave into her desires.
That meant that I had to stop holding back. I needed to be the man that she deserved. Someone that could take her out on a date and put her needs first. The only thing that scared me was choosing the perfect date to take her on. Should I bring her flowers? Would she prefer a fancy dinner, dancing?
I was in over my head.
When I got home, I texted Ford and Hudson.
Maverick: I made a move.
Hudson: Good for you. Another shop owner falls in love.
Maverick: Don't get too far ahead of yourself. I don't know what to do next.
Hudson: You need Ford to give you the birds and the bees talk? Don't forget to give him condoms, Ford.
Maverick: I'm good in that department. It's the taking her out on dates that has me tripped up. I don't know what she wants.
Hudson: You get to know her, and then you'll figure it out.
Maverick: I think I've done that, and I still don't know what she'd like.
Hudson: She owns a bookstore. She likes to read.
Maverick: I can't take her to one.
Hudson: Most girls like dinners and going to movies. It's not rocket science. But she might prefer a night in.
Maverick: I don't like to read. How is this going to work?
That was something I hadn't thought much about. I liked to listen to her reading. But the only books I read were related to my craft.
Hudson: I'm not sure how this can work if you don't read.
Ford: You could read her a book.
Hudson: Good idea. One with a sexy scene in it.
I rolled my eyes. They were talking about me as if I wasn't here and I was a project they needed to plan.
Maverick: I told you I don't need advice in that department.
Ford: Gotcha.
Hudson: What were you up to, tonight, hmm?
Maverick: I don't kiss and tell.
Belle wasn't the kind of girl that would appreciate me talking to my brothers about what we did physically.
But I needed advice on dating stuff. Hudson had mentioned dinner or a movie.
I guess I could handle that, even if the thought made me feel like my heart was threatening to burst out of my chest.
What if it didn't meet her expectations? What if she dated other men who were good at this stuff? I was bound to disappoint her. This was why I didn't get involved with women who expected me to be a certain way.
Ford: These things flow naturally when you're in a relationship. You don't have to officially ask her out on a date.
Maverick: Are you sure about that? I thought women liked being asked out.
Ford: It's different if you're already in each other's lives. That's more for people you just met.
Hudson: There might be hard feelings from the last time, remember? You stood her up.
Maverick: I feel like an idiot that I don't know how to do this.
Hudson: I think it's sweet.
Maverick: Seriously?
Hudson: It's about time you fall in love.
Maverick: Who said anything about falling in love?
Hudson: Love is in the air.
Ford: I'm starting to wonder if there's something magical about Christmas Town, and I'm not talking about holiday magic.
Maverick: You two are being ridiculous. Just because you fell in love doesn't mean all of us will.
Ford: I don't know about that.
Hudson: There seems to be a pattern.
Maverick: You two are worse than girls.
Hudson: We're the problem? You're the one who texted for dating advice as if you're fifteen.
Maverick: I don't need your help. I'll figure it out on my own.
Hudson: Sure, you will.
Ford: Ignore him. You've got this.
I was one hundred percent positive that I didn't have it. I was more convinced than ever that I was going to screw it up. How did someone with no actual dating experience woo a woman?
I couldn't believe I was using words like woo.
I sat on the bed and picked up my phone. I wanted to make sure Belle was okay after our interlude in her shop. What did someone say in this situation? I hope you enjoyed the orgasm?
I let my head fall back onto the pillows.
Maverick: Good night, Belle.
Belle: Night, Maverick.
That's it. It was all I had. I was in so much trouble. I couldn't even talk to a girl. I could ask her if she liked it. Or was that too forward?
Maverick: Are you reading in bed?
There. That was good. I asked her what she was doing so I could get to know her better. That was a normal conversation starter. Except I'd just told her good night, then dropped a conversation starter. She probably thought I was an idiot.
She snapped a picture of a book propped on her bent knees. I couldn't see her face. But it left me wanting more. She was good at this.
What was the protocol? Did I send her a picture back?
I could ask my brothers, but that was more trouble than it was worth.
Maverick: What are you reading?
Belle: A small town romance
Were those sweet or sexy? Was I allowed to ask that question?
Maverick: Are you reading a sexy scene?
This time it took her longer to answer.
Belle: Maybe.
Maverick: Does it make you think about what we did earlier?
Belle: I'm not going to forget that anytime soon.
So she had liked it.
Maverick: You want to do it again sometime?
Now I sounded like a perv.
Belle: You know I do.
She didn't seem offended though.
Maverick: Would you like it if I read the scene to you while we were in bed?
Belle: I've never done that before.
That was good to know.
Maverick: Would you be up for it?
Belle: That could be hot.
Was she saying that my voice was hot or me reading her sexy scenes would be? I was a mess.
Maverick: I want to see you again.
Belle: What are you thinking?
Maverick: Honestly? I'm not sure. I haven't done this before.
Belle: You've never dated?
That sounded really bad.
Maverick: I usually meet someone at a bar, and whatever happens, happens. I've never intentionally pursued a woman like this.
Belle: So you're saying I'm special.
I sucked in a breath, trying to ignore my pounding heart.
Maverick: Yes.
I wanted to spend time with her where there was not as much pressure. Maybe at her house or mine. Since I couldn't invite myself to hers, I had to ask her over. I owned a house, so it wasn't like it was a complete bachelor pad. But maybe I wasn't the best judge.
Maverick: You want to come over here after work, and I can cook for you?
Belle: I forgot that you cook.
Maverick: You have to when you live alone. And Mom made sure all of us learned.
Belle: Dinner sounds lovely.
I pumped my fist in the air.
Maverick: How about tomorrow night?
Belle: Okay.
Maverick: I'll text you the address.
Belle: What can I bring?
Maverick: Just yourself.
I only wanted her. At home, there wouldn't be any pressure to be a certain way. I could relax and be myself. The only decision was what to cook. Something basic. Nothing fancy. But that was the point of this. We were getting to know each other. I shouldn't pretend to be someone I wasn't.
She already knew I was gruff with sharp edges. If she wanted someone different, she wouldn't have kissed me back.
Belle: I'm looking forward to it.
Maverick: Me too
I was a complete sap for this woman. It was probably why I'd resisted her for so long.
Maverick: I don't want to screw this up.
Belle: Just be yourself
Maverick: That's the problem. You're bound to find something you don't like.
Belle: I liked everything you did this evening.
That was a start. But it wasn't everything. We were obviously compatible physically. It was everything else I wasn't so sure about.
Belle: There are no rules. Just be yourself.
That I could do. I just hoped she liked what she saw. Otherwise, I was setting myself up for heartbreak.
Since when did I worry about heartbreak? I was so out of my depth.
Maverick: Tell me. What are you reading?
Belle: These two dated in high school and then broke up. Now the heroine is back in their hometown and keeps running into her ex.
Maverick: What do you like about it?
Belle: The old feelings it stirs up, the memories from when they dated before. Plus, her grandmother is pushing them together, and everyone in town is gossiping about them. I love meddling family members.
She wanted a family. One that she was close to. She didn't have that growing up. My family was large and tight-knit. Maybe they'd adopt her like they had Penny, Angela, and Natasha. But it was too soon to think like that.
Belle: But it doesn't have to be a real family that's close. It could be found family.
Maverick: What's that?
Belle: When a group of friends are so close, they're like family. Kind of like how you adopted Cooper.
Maverick: He's one of us.
Belle: The Sterlings are his found family.
Maverick: You want that.
Belle: I'm making friends with the other shop owners. We get together and support each other. It's nice, but I'm not sure they're my found family. Not yet.
I wondered if she was lonely. She lived near her family, but they weren't at her grand-opening party, and I hadn't seen them around. I thought they'd be interested in her opening a store.
Maverick: Your parents must be proud of you.
It took her a few seconds to respond, and I wondered if I'd overstepped.
Belle: I've given up on that ever happening.
Maverick: You just opened a business, and you're in the midst of a huge renovation.
Belle: They wanted me to continue my education. Get my PhD and teach. They want to brag about their successful child.
Maverick: I guess their definition of success is different from mine.
Belle: I'm a bit of a disappointment to them.
I hated that for her.
Maverick: You're the perfect daughter.
She was sweet, kind, and smart. She thought of others.
Belle: Too bad my parents don't think that.
My parents were proud of me, even though I hadn't gone to med school, like Lincoln, or even college. They gave us the space to be ourselves, and it sucked that Belle didn't have that.
If I had a daughter like Belle, I'd be proud of her.
Maverick: Then they're idiots.
Belle: Thanks for making me laugh.
Maverick: I wasn't trying to.
Belle: You tell it like it is.
Maverick: Yeah, that's probably why I don't talk much. People don't want to hear what I have to say.
Belle: I like it.
It felt good that she liked how I was. For so long, I felt like I stood out in my family, or maybe I wanted to. That's why I got into trouble. I was seeking something because there were so many of us, constantly vying for our parents' attention.
But Belle was an only child, and she couldn't get her parents' focus.
Belle: I'm getting sleepy.
Maverick: Good night.
Belle: See you tomorrow.
I needed to figure out what I was making Belle tomorrow for dinner and clean the house. I didn't want her to think I was messy.
I was so used to living alone; I'd have to take a good look at it from her perspective. Was I someone she'd want to date? Or would she think I wasn't ready for a relationship?
I'd never talked to a girl before bed like this. I remember my brothers doing it in school, especially Ford with Natasha. But I'd never felt the need to talk to someone that much. With Belle, I wanted to get to know her, and surprisingly, I wanted her to get to know me too.