Beach Reads Box Set

by Madden-Mills, Ilsa

  I walk over to Alex and nudge him with my hand after setting his drink on the nightstand. “Dude, wake up.”

  I get nothing but a soft snore.

  Dammit.

  I decide he’s Skye’s problem and once she comes out of the bathroom, she can decide what to do with him. He’s on her bed, so she should be the one to deal with him.

  There’s an abrupt knock at the door, and I figure it’s the pizza guy from the place across the street. Skye called in an order right as we left the club, and even though it’s late, my stomach grumbles.

  I fling open the door with cash in my hand and freeze.

  Maverick is standing there in the hallway, his head bent as he stares at the floor. There’s a slump to his shoulders that breaks my heart.

  His head flies up and his eyes are haunted.

  “Delaney.” My name on his lips is like a benediction to my ears. I’ve missed him so much, and it’s only been a few days. I want to run to him, cup his cheeks, and take that anguish off his face.

  A heavy exhalation comes from his mouth as he straightens. “God, thank fuck. I had to bribe the desk clerk and sign three autographs to get your room number, and I still wasn’t sure he told me the truth.”

  “Are you okay? Is anything wrong?”

  His eyes cloud over. “Everything’s wrong. I came here to—”

  His voice abruptly cuts off as he looks over my shoulder into the room where he has a clear view of a set of feet on Skye’s bed.

  He walks in, brushing past me. “Who the fuck is in your room?” He halts mid-stride, his face paling as he sees Alex. I send up a prayer that he’s still out and doesn’t have a clue that a hulking man is glaring at him like he wants to yank him up by his ankles and toss him over the balcony.

  Maverick’s chest heaves, his face oddly still as he moves his gaze around the room, taking in the clothes strewn about on the floor, the shoes I kicked off as soon as I came in, and the boxes of wine. He swallows, his throat bobbing as his eyes finally land on me. His fists are clenched at his sides, a barely contained force about to blow.

  “Alex? Seriously? Goddammit, Delaney. You really had me fooled.”

  I die at his words. The world stops.

  I want to rewind everything and make sure Skye doesn’t beg Alex to walk us to our room. I wish I’d never even spoken to Alex at the beach today.

  He brushes past me and I grab his arm, making him come up short. Anger works his face, and another girl might worry that he’d lash out, but it’s Maverick and I know underneath all that muscle is a heart that would never hurt a girl, not even Muffin.

  “It’s not what you think. Skye and I went clubbing with him then he came up here and promptly passed out. That’s it.”

  His teeth snap together, his shoulders stiff and defensive as he glares at me. I see pain there, hurt. “You tell me you love me one minute and the next you’re at the beach with your ex—what am I supposed to think?”

  How on earth do I explain to him that Alex doesn’t even register on my radar anymore? Not after falling for Maverick.

  “You’re supposed to believe me because nothing compares to you,” I say, letting his arm go. “Because my heart is yours and always will be.”

  He’s made it to the door but turns back toward me. Maybe it’s my words that stopped him. He scrubs his face and pulls the hair off his forehead, holding on to it as he stares at me. “You’re killing me, Delaney. I can’t think straight without you.”

  We hear Skye then, flushing the toilet then singing “Let It Go” from the Frozen soundtrack over the rush of the sink as she washes her hands.

  I walk over to him, eliminating the distance between us. “You came all this way, Maverick. Stay and talk to me. Alex…he and Skye…I think there’s something there between them—that’s why I agreed to go out with them tonight. He’s not a rebound guy. I think they like each other. You…you’re all I want.”

  He stares at me for a long time, even after Skye pops out of the bathroom and weaves over to me. She throws her arms around me and once she sees Maverick, she takes a step back, nearly falling. “Whoa. Is there a hot guy that looks like Maverick in our room?” She squints. “Is he a stripper? Please tell me it’s a stripper.”

  “No,” I tell her firmly. “It’s Maverick.”

  She blinks. “How did he get here? Is he magic?”

  “I drove,” he says tightly.

  He must be exhausted.

  “Well, howdy do, Maverick. I’m glad you’re here because this girl has been crying her eyes out.” She shakes her finger at me and giggles.

  I exhale. “That’s enough. You need to go to bed.”

  “Fine.” She burps and pulls her dress over her head like she’s getting ready for bed. I try to stop her but she’s already got it around her neck, and at this point, I just help her get it off. Tomorrow she’ll be mortified that she took her dress off in front of Maverick.

  She looks around the room and finds Alex. Her eyes light up then she gets on the bed and lies next to him, her body curling around his. At least she’s got a camisole and undies on.

  She gives us a little wave. “Peace out, y’all. I got what I need.”

  Skye says exactly what she thinks when she’s been drinking.

  “See,” I say, looking at Maverick.

  There’s a tightness around his eyes. “Come here,” he says, motioning for me to come closer.

  I do, and he curls his arm around me, staring deep into my eyes. “I believe you.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand warm as I lean into it. “But if you think for one minute I’m letting you stay in this room with them, you’re crazy.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Get your shit. You’re coming with me.”

  “Lead the way,” I say after grabbing my purse. I don’t need anything else, only him.

  We make it to the elevator and I don’t even ask where we’re going. I don’t care. As long as I’m with him, everything else will work itself out.

  We exit and he leads me to another hotel room, where he slides the key card in the slot and ushers me inside.

  Neither one of us speak as we face each other. I’m scared. He looks so serious, the chiseled lines of his face etched with an unnamed emotion.

  “Talk to me.”

  He closes his eyes then opens them again. “I love you, Delaney. I love you so damn much, and watching you walk away from me and not being able to do the right thing for you…I never want to go through that again.”

  I bite my lip, holding in the swell of feeling that washes over me. “Never again,” I whisper.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you how I feel after the game. I’m sorry for dragging you into this mess. My life is probably ruined, but right now, I don’t even care because all I can think about is you. I can’t lose you.”

  I run to him, he catches me, and we kiss. His lips are everything, hot and needy, tasting of a passion that only comes once in a lifetime. Our tongues tangle, greedy for the other, anxious to get our fill.

  In a blink, his hands have expertly unzipped my dress and I’ve removed his shirt. In between long breathy kisses, we hold each other, rushing and touching and taking everything.

  It feels like it’s been months since I’ve seen him and I want to relearn his skin, but right now all I focus on is how much I want him inside me.

  “Fast now. Slow later,” he says as he tugs down my underwear to my heels. He looks up at me from where he’s kneeling on the floor and I bite my lip. He’s perfect. He’s gorgeous with those steel eyes looking right at me.

  His lips and tongue kiss my calf, my kneecap, and the inside of my thigh while his hands cup my ass, pulling me closer.

  I huff out a laugh. “I thought you said fast.”

  “I lied,” he says breathlessly as his thumbs slide to the front to part me, his tongue lapping. He inhales my scent, his fingers dancing across my body, strumming me and making me undulate against him.

  I t
ug him up. “Maverick…please.”

  He stands and removes his jeans and shoes, his gaze never wavering from mine. “I didn’t bring a condom. I wasn’t thinking. I just needed to get to you. I’m clean.”

  “I’m protected,” I tell him, and before I even finish, he’s kissing me.

  It’s perfect.

  It reminds me of the night we met at the bonfire when he brushed his lips across mine and became the one I’d never forget. Two stars in the sky, two souls destined to be together.

  He picks me up, my legs wrapping around his waist. He likes me like this, and it makes me smile to know the power I have over him.

  Holding me around the waist, making it seem almost effortless with his strength, he slides into me slowly, giving me what I need. I gasp each time he takes me, my head leaning against the wall. Our breathing is loud, the sex louder, and I come fast, my legs locking on his hips as I clench around him. We kiss and he breaks with me, our love the perfect storm, a tsunami that washes over us.

  Later, we’re in bed under the covers, our bodies sated. His fingers trace loops and intricate swirls on my back as he hugs me from behind.

  “I told Coach and the AD the night of the meet and greet.”

  The enormity of his words hit me. “What? Why? Does this mean you aren’t going to fight?”

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  I cup his cheek. “What’s going to happen to Raven?”

  A hint of sadness crosses his face before he recovers. “I don’t know.”

  I kiss him softly on the neck. “I’m sorry I didn’t ask sooner.”

  A brief smile flashes. “We had other things going on.”

  “Are you okay? I mean, what’s going to happen with football?”

  He plays with a piece of my hair and doesn’t answer.

  “Maverick? You seem rather calm about all this. This is your career on the line.”

  He nods. “I know.”

  “So?”

  He arches a brow. “Will you still love me if I don’t play in the NFL?”

  “Hell yes,” I say.

  “That’s the answer I was looking for.” He gives me a lingering kiss, making me grab his shoulders and pull him down until he’s on top of me.

  He clasps my hand tight, intertwining our fingers as he looks down at me. “I actually have a plan,” he says.

  I wrap my hands around his nape and pull his lips to mine. “Whatever it is, I’m in.”

  We kiss more, our hands exploring. I’m so happy to have him back, but I know we need to talk. No matter what, as long as we’re together, we can weather any storm.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Maverick

  We’re at a television station and Coach Al and I sit behind a table, the cameras locked and loaded, ready to film. On my right is Delaney, and on the other side of her, slightly off camera, is Raven. A rep from the NCAA is on the other side of Coach, and we’re about to go live on ESPN for an interview about the fighting scandal that’s rocked the college sports world since I came forward and admitted to my involvement.

  Fred Moran is the interviewer, and he’s eyeballing me critically. A former linebacker from Ole Miss, he was one of my heroes when I was a kid, and now he’s looking at me like I’ve disappointed him.

  I get that, but I’m ready—ready to be true to everyone I care about.

  The interview starts with the control room replaying a statement I made at Waylon that was recorded at a press conference put on by the school then released to the media.

  “I fully admit to accepting money for fighting a rival football player. I knew this went against NCAA rules of accepting money for gain. I also take full responsibility for deceiving my university, my teammates, and the people I care about, and for this, I’m deeply sorry.”

  I didn’t reveal Kai’s name, leaving it up to him and anyone else who’d been involved to come forward. Sure enough, five additional players also made statements after mine.

  Even so, I was the big one, the famous player with so much promise, the one who was going to break out of the small town.

  I was a disappointment to everyone—everyone except Delaney, Raven, and Ryker, who’ve stood by me the entire time.

  The cameraman starts a countdown, signaling that we’re about to go live.

  I tense, and Delaney squeezes my hand.

  I look down at her, and she gives me a soft smile. “Me and you, He-Man. We got this.”

  Fred Moran focuses in on me. He gives me a nod then speaks to the millions of viewers. “As many of you know, Maverick Monroe came forward with a scandal that was hard to believe: a star college football player fighting in a casino for money. That’s right, tonight in the hot seat, we have none other than Maverick himself.”

  The camera swings to me, and I nod and straighten my shoulders. I have nothing else to lose.

  “Good evening, Fred.” I smile, digging deep for that Maverick charm I used to have. “Before we begin, I’d just like to say I’m a huge fan of you and your career, and I follow this show religiously.” I huff out a laugh. “Especially lately since I seem to be the topic of many of your conversations.”

  He smirks. “People aren’t saying very nice things about you.”

  I nod. “And I accept that.”

  His eyes scrutinize me, noting my hand clasped with Delaney’s. His gaze brushes over Raven, who smiles at him.

  He clears his throat. “I was wondering if perhaps you’d like to shed some light on why you risked your career.”

  “I didn’t do it for the money. I mean, I did, but it wasn’t for me. It was for my sister.”

  He nods, encouraging me to go on.

  “In a car accident that took my mom, she suffered a traumatic brain injury, and I’ve been unable to get proper care for her, the kind she needs. My father is an alcoholic and at times is…unable to care for her, and I was often either in class or at practice.”

  “He…cooks,” Raven calls out, and the camera swings to her.

  Fred smiles. “You’re Raven?”

  She nods and plays with her hair, her voice slow but careful as she speaks. “He…takes…care…of…me.”

  I give her a soft smile and continue. “As you know, I’m not allowed to work or accept any kind of loan or money from anyone in case it’s construed as bribes for football. I was hoping I could get by until the draft next spring. Unfortunately, I’d already opted out of the draft this year when we realized she needed extra care.”

  Fred exhales. “I see. Do you gamble, Mr. Monroe?”

  Ah, the crux of the matter.

  “I have never gambled, and Leslie Brock has already told the NCAA that.” I go on to tell them the details of the organization, how Leslie’s casino is a legit business and I merely worked as an employee.

  “I never placed a bet on myself or a fight or a football team. What I did was fight, that’s it.”

  “How much money did you get for the fight?” is Fred’s next question.

  “Fifty thousand, and every penny went to the facility to take care of Raven.”

  Raven is crying softly, and Delaney hands her a tissue then pats her on the shoulder. They’ve grown close these past few weeks.

  Fred nods, a softening to his face. “Is it true that you requested the money you’d already paid to the facility be returned?”

  I smile. “Yes. We donated the money to fund an animal shelter in Magnolia. It was Raven’s idea. She’s going to be volunteering there some.”

  Raven glows at my words.

  Really, that was all Delaney. She sat down with Raven and they talked about what kinds of volunteer work she’d like to do. It was something I’d never thought of, mostly because I’d have to get her there and back.

  “And what about your sister? We’ve heard from a close personal source that you don’t have anyone to take care of her.”

  “I’m taking care of her,” Delaney says proudly. “She’s my family.”

  Love slams into me. What I ever did to deserve h
er, I don’t know.

  What she doesn’t say is that Raven and I have moved in with her, and she’s quit her library job to take care of Raven on the days the nurse can’t come by. Skye said she’d chip in a day a week too.

  Fred looks at the viewers. “Well, the question on everyone’s mind is if you’ll be playing for Waylon this year.”

  I swallow. “I don’t know. I haven’t been informed yet.”

  He nods. “What do you think the ruling will be when it comes to being drafted?”

  “I have no idea.” I look at Delaney and Raven. “We’re still waiting to hear.”

  I do know that whatever happens, I’ll be okay.

  * * *

  Delaney comes out of the kitchen, wearing a big grin and her May the Fork Be With You apron. She and Raven are making dinner and pecan pie for Ryder since he helped us move into her place a few weeks back.

  It’s the end of the year, and we’re celebrating.

  I think back to how everything played out after the interview. After much discussion and interviews, it was determined that the only technical rule I broke was accepting money. There was no indication of foul play, and most importantly, no gambling. Because the scandal involved several star players in the SEC who’d been preyed upon by offerings of big money, the NCAA decided not to kick us out of college football completely. Myself, along with the other players, would be sitting out the first five games of the year.

  It was enough.

  It was hope.

  As far as Muffin went, none of the players on the team would even talk to her anymore. Rumor has it she’s transferring schools for her senior year.

  This fall is going to be the year—my year. I look at Delaney and watch as she shows Raven how to make her Nana’s pie. She catches my eye and smiles as Han weaves between their legs, meowing for a table scrap.

  “I love you,” I mouth at her as she straightens up. She’s everything, mine, and maybe she has been since the night of the bonfire. We just had to figure it out.