Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 70661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 353(@200wpm)___ 283(@250wpm)___ 236(@300wpm)
His hand moved to my wrist. “Arwen, come on—”
“I said no.”
He grabbed my wrist again.
“Grab my wife again, and that’s the last thing you’ll ever grab.” Maverick’s voice was more threatening than a loaded gun. His tone announced his hostility along with his promise of cruelty if his orders weren’t obeyed. He emerged from nowhere, deadly in his suit and tie. With his hair perfectly styled and his brown eyes steaming, he moved beside me and stared Henry down. His hands rested in his pockets, and he didn’t take a fighting stance because he didn’t need to. His presence was terrifying enough.
Henry took a few seconds to react, to size up his opponent before realizing he had no possible chance against this formidable man. His fingers loosened, and he dropped my wrist, taking a step back.
Maverick came closer to my side, claiming his territory with his proximity. He slowly stepped closer to Henry, his eyes turning dominant like a wolf on the hunt. He stopped just inches from Henry, considerably taller. “Don’t come near my wife again. I’ll chop off both of your hands if you do.” He kept his voice low so no one else could overhear the tense conversation taking place.
I was the one being rescued, but even I was scared.
Henry probably shit his pants. He finally stepped back and maneuvered around Maverick, leaving the backstage area and returning to the front of the stage. His eyes were downcast, like a submissive dog that had bowed to the alpha.
Maverick didn’t turn to watch him leave. He directed his gaze on me next, his hands staying in his pockets. He’d managed to threaten a man without raising his voice or making a fist. And he did it so calmly, like the interaction nearly bored him.
I wasn’t afraid Henry would hurt me, but I was irritated that my lover had become my stalker. Every time I wanted to slip away, he grabbed me tighter. It was a nuisance, like I didn’t look over my shoulder already as it was. But my wolf came and scared off the monster…and I was grateful.
He watched me for a long time, his eyes trailing down my long hair and the tightness of my dress. He looked me over intimately, just the way he did when we were in bed together. The perusal lasted a short while before he looked me in the eye again, like the attraction never happened in the first place.
“Thank you.”
“You weren’t kidding. You really do have an effect on men.”
Not on this man. “Why did you come tonight?”
“You asked me, remember?”
“But you didn’t say anything.”
He glanced at the people around us, the other cast members who had changed and were prepared to go home for the evening. He turned back to me, his shoulders wide in his suit. He looked beautiful naked, but he looked delicious in a suit. He had the perfect body that made his clothes fit him so well. “I rarely say anything.”
“Yeah…I picked up on that. What did you think of the show?”
“I didn’t pay attention to the show—only you. And you were amazing—as always.”
This man rarely issued a compliment, so I took it straight to heart. “Thank you.” Maybe my words got to him, made him miss our friendship the way I did. I couldn’t think of any other explanation for why he was there, why he showed up to watch me perform songs he’d already heard.
“Let me walk you to your car.” His arm circled my waist, and he guided me outside through the hallways, back to the place where we’d met the very first time. Down the steps and to the car, he guided me until we reached my black BMW, the new car he’d bought me since I’d given away my old one.
I pulled out my keys and hit the button to unlock the doors. “I’ll see you at the house.”
He opened the door for me, being a gentleman. “I’m going out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I stilled before I lowered myself into the front seat, suddenly disappointed that Maverick would be visiting a bar to find a woman to take home. He’d stopped by my show on the way since he was in the city anyway. Why did I expect anything different? “Alright…be safe.”
“Sheep, I’m always safe.”
2
Maverick
I brought the wineglass to my lips and took a drink, noting the flavors of berries, oak, and even age. My fingers gripped the stem of the glass as I let the smoothness roll across my tongue, savoring the richness that had been perfectly fermented.
Tony stood beside me, his eyes moving past my frame as he watched something on the other side of the room. “I never congratulated you on your wedding. It’s only been a few months, so you must be in the honeymoon stage.”
Far from it. “Thank you.”