Chapter 5 We’re Not Getting Back Together
Maverick stepped closer to her, the intensity in his gaze enough to make her tremble. He continued closing the distance between them until he was standing directly in front of her. He caught her wrist, then reached down and tugged at her waist.
Bending slightly, he pressed a brief kiss against her cheek before leaning closer and murmuring against her ear, “Your future husband couldn’t let you sleep with a random man, could he?”
Rose grew even more frightened. Her body trembled as she finally realized just how dangerous this man could be and how easily he could do something without giving it a second thought.
‘He really is as cunning as everyone says he is.’
All the rumors she had heard about Maverick suddenly came rushing back.
After his mother died, she had left everything to him, but his father had remarried almost immediately to a woman whose family had supposedly tried to take control of his inheritance.
Everyone knew that Maverick had fought his own family to reclaim what belonged to him.
He was so ruthless and cruel that people had even started calling him a living demon.
“Demon,” she whispered, the last words slipping from her lips aloud before she could stop herself.
Maverick was already close enough that his mouth was near her neck from behind. His voice came quietly, almost casually. “You’re thinking about me.”
Rose froze. Whatever confidence had been on her face moments earlier disappeared instantly.
She tried to run and push him away, but he caught her around the waist and pulled her back against his chest. With his other hand, he caught her face and tilted it upward until she had no choice but to look at him.
“After sleeping with me, you’re trying to run off?” he asked, his voice calm enough to be even more intimidating.
Rose's heart nearly stopped. She immediately pulled away from him, her body reacting before her mind could catch up.
“I’m so sorry, Mr. Bishop,” she said, her voice shaking. “It really was a mistake last night. I didn't know it was you. I really thought—”
She stopped when she saw his expression darken.
The look in his eyes became so terrifying that she immediately changed course.
“Let’s get a divorce,” she blurted out. “I won’t bother you again. I promise. Last night was just a mistake. You’re too good for someone like me, anyway. You wouldn’t want to settle for me, right? Let’s just end this and go back to our lives, the way they were before last night.”
Maverick looked down at her, one perfectly arched eyebrow rising.
“Were my skills so bad last night that my wife wants a divorce right after the marriage?”
The memory of the previous night flashed through Rose's mind, making her tremble all over. Heat rushed into her face, but she quickly pushed the embarrassment aside.
“Trust me, it’s not like that. It really was a mistake.
” She hurried to explain herself. “You’re too important and famous.
You’re incredible. You shouldn’t be wasting your life with someone as insignificant as me.
Why would you throw your life away? You should marry a supermodel.
Or an actress. Someone who actually belongs in your world. Someone much better than me.”
She gestured helplessly, desperately trying to convince him.
“I’m just a small fish in a big ocean. You just haven’t met enough fish yet. That’s why I think you rushed into this. When you rush into something, you always realize later that it was a bad decision, right?”
She swallowed and forced a nervous smile.
“It doesn’t have to end this way. We’re already at the courthouse, so let’s just get it done. It’ll be over before you know it. It’s just a signature on a few documents. It doesn’t have to mean anything.”
She took another cautious step backward.
“So let’s go get a divorce immediately.”
Maverick didn’t answer. Instead, he continued walking toward her as he listened to her rambling.
Rose kept creating distance between them, taking cautious steps backward, but he simply closed the gap with every step until he was directly in front of her.
Then he bent down, wrapped an arm around her waist, and threw her over his shoulder before carrying her toward the car.
“What are you doing?” she cried, her voice coming out slightly strained as she was suddenly lifted off the ground.
Embarrassment flooded her face when people began looking in their direction, but Maverick didn’t seem to care in the slightest. He carried her straight to the Mercedes waiting nearby and placed her inside before getting in himself.
Instead of driving her back to her own house, however, he drove in the opposite direction.
Rose frowned, growing increasingly confused as she watched the familiar streets disappear behind them. She had no idea where he was taking her until the Mercedes approached a set of enormous gates. The gates opened, revealing a sprawling mansion beyond them.
Her eyes widened.
She hadn't realized this was Maverick's mansion until they passed through the entrance and she spotted his name written in golden letters across a white plaque beside the gates.
Maverick Bishop
Her heart immediately began pounding in her throat as she sat rigidly in her seat.
Everything that had happened within the past twenty-four hours suddenly felt unreal.
It was as though she had been swept into someone else's life without ever getting a moment to stop, breathe, and understand what was happening.
And now she was being taken to Maverick's home.
As they drove farther onto the property, Rose stared through the window.
This was the first time she had ever seen his mansion.
The enormous house was built with sleek, modern architecture and surrounded by expansive grounds filled with lush greenery.
Trees, gardens, and carefully maintained hedges stretched around the property, so dense that they almost concealed the mansion from the outside world.
Her mind immediately went to the worst possible place.
‘If he murdered me here, no one would ever know.’
There was so much greenery surrounding the mansion that she could probably disappear somewhere on the property without anyone noticing.
Her body stiffened as nervousness and tension tightened every muscle.
The Mercedes finally came to a stop in front of the mansion, and almost immediately, one of the security guards hurried over to open Maverick's door.
The moment the guard's gaze fell on Rose, his eyes widened in surprise.
He looked back at Maverick.
“Mr. Bishop, you've brought someone home with you?”
Maverick didn't answer.
Instead, he walked around the car and opened Rose's door himself. She hesitated before stepping out, but the moment her feet touched the ground, Maverick reached for her hand and laced his fingers around hers.
Then he turned toward the older security guard.
“This is my wife, Rose.”
The security guard's eyes widened in shock. Then his surprise transformed into a bright smile.
“That's amazing news, Mr. Bishop! Congratulations!”
Maverick gave him a faint smile before calmly saying, “Everyone's bonus is tripled this month. Let everyone know, and have my secretary handle the rest.”
The security guard immediately straightened and bowed.
“Thank you, Mr. Bishop. I wish you two a wonderful life ahead.”
He gave Rose another delighted look before turning back toward the mansion, clearly thrilled by the news.
Rose, meanwhile, was still trying to process what had just happened.
Without giving her any time to react, he turned and walked toward the mansion, still holding her hand.
Rose hurried after him, almost stumbling as she tried to keep up with his long strides. Once they stepped through the enormous entrance, she looked around in surprise.
She had expected to see servants everywhere—maids moving through the halls, staff rushing around, and people coming and going constantly.
Instead, the entire mansion was silent.
Every surface was spotless, and every detail appeared perfectly arranged. It was obvious that people regularly took care of the enormous house, yet there wasn't a single person in sight.
Maverick continued pulling her toward the living room while Rose followed behind him, her thoughts racing.
The tension running through her body was impossible to hide.
Her shoulders were stiff, her fingers were cold, and her uneasy expression made it clear that she had no idea what was about to happen.
Maverick noticed it.
His brows drew together as he studied her face.
The longer he looked at the distress written across her face, the more displeased he became. Something about the troubled expression on her face disturbed him more than he cared to admit.
He suddenly stopped and released her hand before turning to face her completely.
Rose stopped as well.
Maverick stepped closer, entering her personal space until she was forced to lift her head and look up at him.
“Is marrying me such a disaster that you can't even get rid of that frown?” he asked, his voice low. “You've had it on your face ever since we left the courthouse.”
Rose's nerves tightened at the sound of his voice. She was surprised that he had noticed her expression so easily.
She quickly forced a laugh. “You're overthinking it. I'm just getting used to being somewhere new.”
Maverick's gaze remained fixed on her.
The longer he looked at her, the darker his expression became. His intensity made her heart pound so hard that she was afraid he might hear it. She tried to hide the fear in her eyes, but there was little chance of getting anything past him.
He stepped closer.
Then he lowered his head until his lips were beside her ear.
“Mrs. Bishop,” he murmured, his voice dangerously calm, “don't let me find out there's another man in your heart.”
Rose swallowed.
Maverick's gaze remained locked on hers.
“Because if there is,” he continued, “I'll break his neck before I deal with you.”
Then he pulled away, utterly composed, as though threatening her was the most ordinary thing in the world.