Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Maverick opened the door and held his hand out for me to take.
“Thank you,” I said as he helped me out. When we started toward the steps, I added, “You don’t have to walk me to the door, Mav.”
“I want to, Lil.”
His teasing tone caused my entire body to feel light.
We stopped on the porch. “Thank you for earlier this evening. I enjoyed it.”
Turning to face him, I leaned against the front door and smiled. “I had a lot of fun as well. I’m glad you liked Taylor, or at least the songs I played for you.”
He nodded. “I did.”
I chewed nervously on the inside of my cheek as I watched his gaze fall to my mouth. The light of the porch lit up the area enough that I could see his eyes turn a darker shade.
Then the spell was broken, and he took a few steps back while he rubbed at the nape of his neck. Holding up his other hand, he said, “’Night. I’ll, um, see you around.”
“Good night.”
Maverick started down the steps, and I quickly pushed off the door. “Hey, Maverick?”
He stopped and turned to face me. “Yeah?”
“When we were in the parking lot, right before Bradly came out…was it my imagination, or were we about to kiss?”
He simply stared at me, and I couldn’t tell if he was nervous and couldn’t figure out what to say, or if maybe I had actually dreamed it all up and read the situation wrong.
“If it was only one-sided, I completely understand. It felt like we had a connection, and it wasn’t the first time I’ve felt that way when I was with you. But if I’m wrong…”
He drew in long, deep breath, then exhaled in one whoosh. “It wasn’t one-sided. I felt it too. I’ve been feeling it.”
I nearly sighed in relief. “I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming.”
Maverick chuckled. “You deserve someone who can offer you so much more than I can, Lily.”
Frowning, I started back down the steps. “What does that mean?”
He took a step back as if he was afraid to be too close to me. “I have nothing to offer you.”
I let out a humorless laugh. “That’s the most insane thing I think you’ve ever said. Why can’t we simply explore what we feel between us?”
When our eyes met, I nearly gasped. He looked…sad.
“Maverick,” I said as I walked closer. “I’m not sure what this is between us, but I know I can’t deny that there is something there. When I’m around you, I feel things I’ve never felt before with any man. I don’t even know how to put the feelings into words. I just know I don’t want to ignore them anymore or not admit those feelings to you.”
“I work for your father.”
“So?” I said with a confused chuckle. “Do you honestly think my dad would have an issue with us?”
“I’m sure he’d want more for you than some ranch hand who has no past and no future.”
My heart broke in two that he thought of himself that way. I took another step forward. We were inches apart now, and I could see his chest rise and fall with each heavy breath.
Reaching my hand up, I cupped the side of his face. When he leaned slightly into it, I was pretty sure I fell for him even more. He was so open with his vulnerability, and that surprised me. Was it only with me that he was this way? A part of me, deep down, hoped so.
“The only thing I care about is the present. The here and the now. And right now, I really want you to kiss me, Maverick. More than I have ever wanted anything.”
He closed his eyes, wearing such a conflicted expression.
“Do you not want to kiss me?”
Snapping his eyes open, I knew the answer without him even speaking. It was written on his face and in those eyes of his that I adored so much.
“I’ve dreamed of kissing you, Lily Shaw. So many fucking times.”
Smiling, I wrapped my arms around his neck and laced my fingers through his hair. “To quote my girl, Taylor, I wish you would.”
The corners of his mouth twitched.
“Let me add, I wish you would kiss me. Please.”
He swallowed hard, leaned down, and whispered against my lips, “One kiss.”
Maverick pressed his lips to mine, and it was so gentle, I sighed into his mouth. Then he wrapped his arm around my waist and pressed our bodies closer, deepening the kiss. A jolt of pure pleasure rushed through my entire body as Maverick teased my mouth open with his tongue. He explored it as if he had all the time in the world…or maybe he just thought it would be the only time he had this chance. Whatever it was, I’d never in my life experienced such a powerful kiss.