19. Sophie
19
Sophie
S omething bright stirred me awake, much to my dismay. I had been in a peaceful, comfortable slumber until that stupid light. I slowly opened my eyes, and immediately closed them again when I realized it was the sunrise poking through the sheer black curtains hanging in—
I turned over and found a sleeping Maverick. I did, in fact, stay at Maverick’s last night. Scrambling to the nightstand to grab my phone, I saw the time and practically threw myself out of his bed to grab my overnight bag. I needed to shower and get out the door in less than an hour if I didn’t want to be late to work.
As I stood, my knees wobbled, and it took me a moment to stabilize myself and my very sore legs. Actually, everything hurt. My abs, arms, thighs, hips, ass. Both holes. I winced as I hauled my bag into his bathroom but paused at the threshold. I hadn’t paid much attention to the bathroom last night, but now…
It was the largest en-suite I’d ever seen. There was a massive garden tub along the back wall with a picturesque view of the city beyond. The shower was separate and made of charcoal slate tile, with a built-in bench and dual shower heads and—was that a rain bar? The vanity was black and the counter tops were a dark granite to match. It was masculine, dark, and very much Maverick.
Maverick.
I glanced over my shoulder to look at him sleeping soundly on his back, one arm over his head. His lips were pouty and partially opened, his jaw dusted with morning facial hair, his waves messy. My heart thumped in my chest at how gorgeous he was. How gentle he proved himself capable after being so rough. How convicted he was over the truth of my family. How honest he could be, even though it didn’t paint him or his family in a good light.
Oh no.
One night with him and I was catching feelings.
Bad Sophie.
I couldn’t let that happen. In fact, I should probably call it quits here. Letting this continue meant heartbreak for me down the line, even if he was convinced there was something more to explore. It would only be a matter of time before he realized that I was a miserable person he didn’t want to be around.
Being with Maverick was only asking for trouble.
So I shut the bathroom door and started the shower. As I waited for the water to warm up, I checked my phone and saw a text from my captain, informing me of a case I needed to meet my partner at. Sighing, I fired off a 10-4 text, then messaged Callie asking if I could stop by her office.
The sound of the shower as I stepped through the now-steamy glass doors slowed my racing heart. I took my time, sudsing my sweaty hair and washing away yesterday’s perspiration and the smell of sex. As I finished shaving, I heard Maverick’s voice.
“Were you planning on leaving without saying goodbye, Detective?” he joked.
Dios mio.
Just the sound of his morning voice, husky and playful, made my lady parts tingle. I shivered under the hot water, rinsing away the rest of the suds before stepping out. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his bare chest, his dark blue eyes raking over my body hungrily. To no surprise, his morning wood was visible under his gray sweats.
My mouth dried at the sight of him in casual wear, specifically the outline of his, um, member on full display.
And fuck, those tattoos. I wanted to ask him last night about the one sprawling down one arm. A dark circle on the center of his bicep, barbed and veiny lines spreading from it like shattered glass. Cyber sigilism at its finest, and it only accentuated his muscles.
“Wish you woke me up. I would’ve loved to shower with you.”
How was I supposed to tell him that I was panicking? Easy answer: ignore it. I wrapped myself in a towel and opened my makeup bag. “I was trying to be efficient with my time.”
“Back to being a straight-edge cop, then?” He sidled up behind me, arms snaking around my waist while he kissed my neck. Oh God. I leaned into his touch, unable to refuse, my focus already out the door.
“Not… straight-edge,” I murmured, rolling my hips toward the hand that slid through the opening in the towel. “Mav… I need to get ready.” Needy and breathless. That’s what I sounded like.
Maverick bit my pulse point, and my whole body convulsed. My head fell back on his shoulder when his thumb expertly worked my clit while two other fingers slid in and out of my wet pussy. I was a whimpering mess as I rode his hand to orgasm. Even with the release, I wanted him again.
The thought sobered me. I turned in his arms. “You, sir, are sex on legs, and you’re going to make me late to work.”
He licked his fingers— fuck, why is that so hot? —then leaned his hands on the counter behind me so I was trapped. “So, let’s play hooky.” His dangerously tempting grin made my heart stutter.
My eyebrows shot up. “Hooky? What is this, high school?”
“I’m serious. When was the last time you called out of work for something fun?”
Never.
I answered him with silence.
“Exactly. We can spend the day in bed.”
My stomach fluttered. “Mav—”
“Or we can go out and do something. You know, since you’re already here in the city.”
I laughed. “What if I wanted you to do something in Newark with me?”
He blinked, some of his playfulness ebbing. “Are you trying to lure me over there so you can arrest me for my crimes?”
I kissed his cheek. “You’re cute. No, I was making a joke because you said we’d do something in your city.” I turned back to do my makeup, quickly swiping on some bronzer, blush, and mascara, before styling my brows. Then I had to tame my wild waves, all while Maverick kissed my neck, leaving more hickeys despite me scolding him for it.
“Seriously,” he groaned. “You won’t ditch work for the day?”
Sighing, I said, “I have a homicide to get to. Otherwise, I would consider it.” Lies. I was making excuses, because the girly giddiness gathering my stomach was telling my brain to GTFO before I got too involved, and consequently, hurt.
I broke free from his hold to pull on my black jeans and black silk top. All while he watched me.
“Fine. When will I get to see you again?”
My heart accelerated. He wants to see me again. But then I reminded myself that it would be temporary, and he was the last person I should pursue. Our lives were too different.
I needed to get out—get away from his heated glare and intoxicating scent and outside of his gravitational pull. He was sucking me in too far, too fast. I needed to breathe.
“I don’t know,” I said as I pulled my boots on, then brushed my teeth, grabbed my toiletries, zipped my bag, and slung my things over my shoulder.
Maverick, always so observant, took my face in his hands. “Stop overthinking this.”
A shuddering breath fell from my lips. “I’m not,” I fibbed.
“Yes, you are. We’re just seeing where this goes, okay? You don’t have to call out of work, that’s fine. Just call me. Or text me. I’ll follow your lead on this.”
I should've been relieved that he was so willing to go with the flow. He wasn’t forcing me into anything. And yet, even by doing that, it meant he cared enough about me to want to try. I wanted him to try. I wanted to try.
Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck .
“Yeah. You’re totally right.” I pressed my lips to his before giving him a shaky smile. “Talk later?”
He nodded and placed a hand on my lower back as we walked to the front door together. He gave me a swooning kiss goodbye that was all lingering hands and delving tongues, before watching me leave.
All while I tried not to sprint down the hall—away from the heat of his touch, the weight of his presence, the way he made me feel like I was coming apart at the seams. Because if I stayed any longer, I might’ve done something reckless. Like crawl back to him and beg for more.
***
I hadn’t even fully walked into Callie’s shared office before she blurted out, “My girl got laid!”
Flinching, I averted my eyes. “Announce it to the world, why don’t you?” I was grumbly and cranky, knowing I was giving up something that could satisfy me, maybe even make me happy.
“Don’t act like that. You know damn well you celebrated when I was in your shoes. Besides, you should be in a better mood for someone who stayed the night with someone as fuck-hot as him.” Then she gasped. “Oh no. Was it bad?”
That had me giggling as I sank into the chair across from her perfectly neat desk. She was neurotically organized. “It was actually the best sex of my life. What I want to know is how you knew.”
“Soph, you’re covered in hickeys. And you’re glowing! That’s a post-coital glow if I’ve ever seen one.”
I pulled my shirt collar to the side, having completely forgotten about the hickeys. I swore under my breath and buttoned my shirt all the way up to conceal as many bruises as possible.
“What’s wrong, Sophie?” Callie could clearly see right through me.
My throat bobbed. “That’s the thing. Nothing is wrong.”
“Why are you acting like that’s a bad thing?”
I quickly glanced at her office mate. Callie rolled her eyes and waved in her general direction. “Don’t mind her. She keeps to herself and wears noise-canceling headphones.”
I snickered, then sobered. “He just… he pushed my limits last night. In, like, a really good way. In ways I didn’t know were possible. And then he was so gentle after. He asked me to ditch work today to just spend time with me and like… well, we live completely different lives. It would never work.”
My friend blinked at me. “Why wouldn’t it work? You can work out differences. Besides, you don’t even know if this would be serious or not. You should just focus on having fun.”
“This coming from the queen of heartache,” I quipped. “That’s what he said, too. That we’re just seeing where this goes. And he told me last night that he feels like there’s something more here.”
“So?”
I scoffed. “So? The point is, this is how it always starts, and it always ends in me getting hurt.”
“I’m going to disagree with you there.”
“Seriously, Cal?”
“Yes, seriously. I’ve never seen you like this before over a guy. I heard the man on the phone and saw him at that nightclub. He’s clearly obsessed with you. It’s worth giving it a shot. Don’t discredit it until you try.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “Plus, if he can make you come in bed, and he didn’t kick you out after, why not try? At the very least you’ll keep getting the best sex of your life.”
I pointed an accusatory finger. “I expected you to be on my side.”
She laughed in such a carefree way that it made me ache with jealousy. It wasn’t too long ago that our roles were reversed. “No, you expected me to join your pity party. I won’t. You’re self-sabotaging because you don’t think you’re lovable. I’m here to tell you that you’re dead wrong and that you just haven’t found the right guy yet. Or maybe you have now. Point is, you can’t keep running before things get too serious. And if you feel like he complements you and makes you feel things you never have before, it’s worth seeing through.”
Before I could respond to her sage advice, her eyes caught something over my shoulder and brightened. “Hey, babe! Look who came to visit me!”
We stood at the same time, and I caught the way Liam’s face softened the second he stepped into her office, his smile easy, like it belonged only to her. And the way she looked back at him—like he was home. Steady. Unshakable. My chest tightened. I envied that. That kind of love that wasn’t just fire and hunger, but something deeper. Something that lasted. They had been through hell to get here, but still. I wanted that. Someone who would look at me like I was worth the wreckage.
Liam gave me a quick hug. “Soph. Haven’t seen you in a while. How are you?”
Grinning, I said, “I’ve been great,” at the same time Callie said, “Her love life is in crisis.”
“Whatever, Cal.” I rolled my eyes as they laughed, their bodies naturally folding into each other before Liam tugged her in for a kiss—deep, unhurried, as if he had all the time in the world to taste her. When they broke away, they spent a moment talking quietly about something. Heat flared up my neck, and I turned my attention away, but not before catching the way her fingers curled into his shirt. The intimacy between them was precious; my heart ached, and that jealousy grew.
But more than that.
Something heavier. Something quieter. A dull ache, a yearning I didn’t know what to do with. Because if love could look like that—steady, unwavering, without hesitation—then maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t something I had to fear. Maybe, for the first time, I wanted to believe it could be mine too.
Those feelings I had with Mav last night—the comfort, the happiness, the peace of being taken care of—swelled, and for one crazy moment, I saw this thing between us going somewhere.
Estoy tan jodida.
Before I could give it any more thought, I grabbed my bag and high-tailed it out of the office, ignoring my friends calling out for me.
I should never have stalked him or confronted him in that restaurant. I should’ve left well enough alone, since he was pulling back anyway.
It didn’t matter how honest he was with me. It didn’t matter that for a blip in time, we were raw and honest with one another.
I made a promise to myself as I drove back to Newark.
No more Maverick.
No more feelings.