Chapter 23 #2
I loved how the three boys had created a family out of their friendship. It pulled at my heartstrings and it was nice having friends you could depend on, but damn…I was extroverted as hell, and even I felt burnt out from all the events, dinners, and just…everyone’s constant presence.
I hopped off the counter, coming to stand behind him, wrapping my arms around him and tucking my head against the back of his right shoulder. “Come on, I bet we can get it in before they get here.”
He turned to look at me, a war blazing in his eyes. Just the idea of hooking up with him in the kitchen knowing that anyone could come barging in at any moment was terrifying—and also exhilarating. I know he was thinking it too.
Please say yes. Please say yes.
He turned and kissed me, long and hard before pulling away, shaking his head and flicking me on the nose. After.
Another frustrated growl simmered up from within me. “Ugh, fine!” There was no use trying to change his mind. Something else I’d learned about him: he was as stubborn as a mule. Once he had his mind set, well, good luck changing it.
I hopped back on the countertop and took another fingerful of cake batter for good measure.
His shoulders rose and fell in that silent chuckle of his as he continued cutting onions and scraping them into an oiled frying pan.
He added in some garlic a moment later. As he pulled out the bag of chicken breasts from the butcher’s, a wave of nausea assaulted me, clutching at my stomach so tightly my breath left me.
Cupping a hand over my mouth, I raced for the bathroom.
What the hell was that about? My head spun, a pounding migraine forming behind my right eye. My mouth still tasted like ash. It’s like it was stuck in my lungs. I had to be sick from that.
A timid knock came on the door. After washing my mouth out with mouthwash and cleaning myself up, I opened the door to find Maverick there, a worried look on his face.
I took a breath. “I’m fine. I just think I’m sick with some lingerin’ effects of the smoke.”
His disbelieving look said it all, but he didn’t press as we made our way back into the kitchen.
He grabbed me some sweet tea to sip on while he cooked.
My stomach remained queasy, but I didn’t throw up as Maverick seasoned the meat and put the chicken in a pan.
I started talking again, it seemed to help ease Maverick’s worries, and even mine.
Within a few minutes, the kitchen was filled with so many amazing smells my mouth perpetually watered, my nausea long forgotten.
I think I died and went to heaven when he let me lick the spoon of the frosting after mixing it up. “This is absolutely divine,” I said, reaching for the bowl. He grinned, pulling it out of reach.
“Please? Just one more bite,” I whined, a pout forming on my lips.
I’d resumed my perch on the countertop. Maverick placed the bowl on the counter opposite me for emphasis. I groaned, rolling my eyes even as my lip curled up into a playful snarl.
Maverick dipped a finger into the bowl and moved to me, holding it out before my face.
“A peace offering?” I asked begrudgingly.
He nodded, his gaze hooded, the look on his face soft, happy, amused.
I pretended to be annoyed, letting out a dramatic huff for flare before sucking his finger into my mouth.
Another hum of approval erupted from him, shooting desire straight to my core. His jade eyes swam with a need I know shone in mine as well.
The frosting tasted good, but it paled in comparison to the way his gaze made me feel.
I pulled away, making a show of licking my lips before biting the bottom one.
He liked when I did that.
His hand snaked into my hair as he crushed his lips to mine. There was an unhinged element to this kiss. It was chaotic, wild, reckless, and I welcomed it.
I tilted my head back, a soft, throaty laugh fracturing in my chest. This feeling. This passion. This wild, wanton need. I could drown in it. Die right here and now and be happy. Maverick’s touch was like a damn drug. And like a junkie, I couldn’t get enough.
His lips brushed against the corner of my mouth, along the curve of my jaw, before dipping down the column of my throat. He trailed feather-soft kisses to my skin, each caress shooting my desire higher and higher.
“Maverick,” I breathed as one of his hands cupped my breast.
The throaty growl that rumbled through him like rolling thunder sent shivers of the best kind down my spine.
His thumb hooked in my bra, pulling it down to expose the nipple as he continued the path of kisses down my chest.
A moan escaped me as his mouth found the peaked bud. One of my hands curled around the back of his neck, holding him to me, urging him for more, more, more.
The door crashed open, so loud I thought a freight train had crashed into the living room. For a split second, I swear to God, my soul left my body.
“Well, shit. Dinner and a show!” Cash’s crow of laughter followed. “Don’t start without me. Let me get a front row seat.”
I growled, legit growled, before flipping him off over my shoulder. “Fuck you, Cash!” I half-heartedly yelled.
How was I getting cockblocked again? Seriously?
Cash laughed once more. “Looks like Mav’s already got that covered, Trouble.”
Maverick slumped against me, his shoulders quaking. For a moment, I thought he was crying, but as he lifted his gaze to meet mine, the widest, most bashful smile I’d ever seen graced his lips. I couldn’t help but return it, a soft, embarrassed laugh escaping me.
Thank God I was turned away from Cash or I’d have given him a full show. My cheeks felt warm; I could only imagine how red they were. Maverick righted my top, his intense gaze never leaving mine as if silently saying, we’ll finish this later.
“I sure as fuck hope so,” I murmured before brushing a kiss against his lips.
I was met with Cash’s signature grin as I hopped off the counter and went around the island to greet him.
“Aw, why’d you stop? Things were just gettin’ good.”
“Don’t you have some buckle bunny to shmooze over?” I grumped, even as a smile curved my lips. “I thought I remembered you bringin’ home some brunette last night.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Ah, no. She’s done. Already met the three-date max rule.”
I frowned. “Three date max rule?” I asked, just as Charlie, Ryder, Cason, and Dutch appeared in the doorway. Play growls erupted through the house, followed by Cason’s laughter, as Dutch and Brandy started to wrestle. The two—well, three including Cason, were thick as thieves already.
Ryder’s smooth voice cut through the chaos, a playful glint in his eyes. “Cash’s got this system. Once he’s made his way through the steps, he’s onto the next girl.” He plopped an armful of board games onto the coffee table in the living room.
Charlie smiled at me and reached out for a hug I eagerly accepted. She smelled of lavender and vanilla, and was quite literally glowing with happiness. I knew this pregnancy was kicking her butt, but it didn’t look like it. She radiated.
Cash scoffed, his hazel gaze meeting mine. “There’s more to it than that. There’s a whole damn art to it.”
“Here we go,” Ryder groaned, glancing at Maverick.
Maverick rolled his eyes and shrugged, his lips failing to hold back a grin as Cash launched into his explanation.