by Laura Kaye
The roar he unleashed shoved her hard in the direction of her own orgasm, as did the way his cock jerked inside her again and again. And then he was off of her. Flipping her over. Pinning her hips down and planting his mouth right over her clit.
He sucked, hard. His tongue flicking and strumming until all she could do was fist her hands in his hair and hold her breath.
Alexa came so hard that her vision blurred around the edges and her heart threatened to pound out of her chest. But still, Maverick didn’t let up. He growled against her and continued to tongue her until she was screaming another orgasm and trying to push him off before she lost her mind. She was so sensitive that when he finally released her, her whole body flinched and she couldn’t help but laugh as she tried to roll away.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked as he grabbed and crawled up her, wearing the most smug, satisfied expression perhaps any man had ever worn.
She couldn’t help but grin. “Nowhere.”
“That’s right.” He stroked her hair back off her face. “God it’s good to hear you laugh.”
They stared at each other a long moment, and suddenly their playfulness felt weighted, significant, like the ground was moving beneath their feet. For her, it was. Because emotion ballooned inside her chest until restraining it became simply impossible.
It was bigger than her, more than her. After everything, she had to tell him, and he deserved to know. “Maverick . . . I know we have a lot to figure out, and I know I’m a mess, but I also know that I love you so much that half the time I can barely breathe for holding it in. So I don’t want to hold it in anymore. I love you. I’m in love with you.” The hammering of her heart had nothing to do with the two incredible orgasms he’d just given her. “So, yeah. I just wanted you to know.”
His eyes widened and his lips parted, and then his expression took on a softness she’d absolutely never seen before. “Aw, damn, Alexa. You have no idea what a fucking dream it is for me to hear you say that. I have never stopped loving you. Not one minute of one day. But what I feel now is so much deeper, just bigger, you know? Than anything I’ve ever felt before. I love you, too. Jesus.”
His words—his love—healed every aching place inside her. Just snapped all the broken pieces back into place until she was whole, strong, the Alexa she was always meant to be. He kissed her, intense but gentle, claiming and healing, utter perfection.
“Are you mine, baby? Tell me you’re mine,” he rasped.
“I’m yours, Maverick.” She ran her fingers through his hair, holding it back from his ruggedly handsome face. “I’m so yours.”
“You own me. You gotta know that. Christ, I’ve wanted this for so long.” He dropped his head to her shoulder.
The gravel in his voice reached into her chest and squeezed. She wrapped her arms around his big shoulders and held him.
Finally he looked at her again, his eyes bright and so full of love. For her. “This is our new beginning, Alexa. You and me.”
“Against the world. I love you,” she said, happier than she’d been in years. Happier than she ever thought she’d be again. And, God, she adored the happiness pouring off of him, too. She wasn’t naïve enough to think that Grant was going to make her life easy, but there wasn’t anything he could do to change this. Because Alexa had finally found herself and, through that, the man she truly needed.
MAVERICK WAS FLYING so goddamned high over the words he and Alexa had shared that not even spending the day with a very anxious Mrs. H schlepping her mountain of crap could touch how good he felt. Unbelievably, that mountain represented maybe a third of what the woman had in her house, but most of what they’d left behind was outright junk.
Only two things put a damper on how he was feeling. First, knowing Jagger was sitting in jail. It ate at Maverick like an itch he couldn’t reach. He just had to trust that the Hard Ink guys and their private detective would find the evidence they needed to clear Jagger. It couldn’t happen soon enough for Mav—for any of the Ravens. And second, the word that Grant had made bail. They knew it would happen, and they’d taken the time this morning to get the temporary protective order, but it was still a burr in his saddle to know that clearly guilty Grant got to walk while Jagger rotted. Justice was blind, Mav’s ass.
At the new place now, they’d just finished unloading the moving truck. He, Alexa, and the movers had managed to get the boxes and furniture in the rooms where they needed to be, but the process of unpacking and really getting the house set up would take a while. At least Mrs. H was out of Slater’s place for good.
Mav returned one of the dollies to the now-empty truck parked out in the driveway.
“That was a big job to get done,” Alexa said, bringing him a glass of ice cold water. It was another hot one, but the weather was perfect—which boded well for the opening of the carnival tonight. “I’m so glad we got her out of there.”
“Me too,” he said, taking a big drink. The more ties Alexa severed with Grant, the better. So far that included the restraining order, moving her mother out of his house, and calling in sick to work. She hadn’t pulled the trigger yet, but she’d pretty much come around to the conclusion that she was going to have to quit her job. Mav knew how much she liked what she did, and he hated that for her, hated that she was the one who was going to have to walk away when she’d done nothing wrong. “What else would you like to do here today?”
“I’m hoping that we can maybe set up her kitchen, bedroom, and enough of the living room so that she can watch TV. But I don’t want to make us late for the carnival.” She gingerly prodded the side of her head.
“You hurting?” he asked, his gut twisting.
“Just a little bit of a headache. Not too bad. Honestly, I feel too good from this morning to even care.” Her smile was so damn pretty.
“From the orgasms or the I love yous?” He grinned and pulled her into his arms.
She chuckled. “Both were very nice.”
“Nice? Nice? You screamed so loud you almost shattered glass.”
Laughing, she smacked him in the shoulder. “I did not.”
“Yeah you did. That memory will play in my head for years.” He arched a brow at her, loving the humor shining from her hazel eyes.
“Okay, I totally did.” She ducked her face against his chest.
“That’s right. Don’t be denying my skills.” He kissed her head and grinned again, having too much fun with her. What a difference a fucking day made.
“Oh, my God.” She pushed against his chest and retreated, pointing at him, and trying not to smile. “You are too full of yourself.”
“I call it like I see it.” He followed her toward the house.
She rolled her eyes and turned around, but he could tell her shoulders were shaking. “So, why don’t you try your skills on the mess that is the living room? And I’ll tackle the kitchen with Mom?”
He winked. “Consider it done. Because, skills.”
She threw up her hand and made for the kitchen. Maverick couldn’t stop smiling like an idiot. Getting everything you ever wanted did that to a man. No shame in that.
Three hours later, they’d achieved most of what Alexa had hoped for. Everything was put away in the kitchen cabinets and drawers, her mom’s bed was made and clothes were all put away, and Maverick got the TV set up, cable connected, and furniture in place so she’d be comfortable. He even found her box of photo albums and set them out on the end table next to her favorite chair.
When he was done, Maverick leaned against the arch to the kitchen. “How’s it feeling, Mrs. H?”
“It’s a little overwhelming, but it’s coming together. You kids did a lot today,” she said. “And I know I was a pain in the ass.”
He chuckled and winked at Alexa. “A Harmon be a pain in the ass? Never.”
Her mom smiled, just what he was going for. “I suppose we have our moments, don’t we?”
“Who doesn’t?” Mav asked. “What else can I do?”
>
“I’d love to get all the empty boxes and packing material outside. You’re going to have so much space here, Mom. Just wait and see.” Alexa tore down one of the boxes, making it flat.
“You got it.” He headed for the other end of the house and cleared out the bedroom and hallway first. By the time he emptied the living room, Alexa had taken care of the kitchen.
Smiling, Alexa passed him with an armful of bubble wrap. “We make a good team.”
He kissed her. “Damn right we do. Want me to take that out?”
She shook her head. “I got it.”
The moment Alexa stepped out the front door, her mom came into the living room. “How’s she doing? Really.”
“She’s strong, Mrs. H. She’s okay. You should ask her, though,” he said.
“I did, but of course she doesn’t want to worry me.” She waved a hand. “But I’d like to take that Grant over my knee.”
Maverick might pay good money to see that. “I understand the sentiment.”
Cynthia eyeballed him. “You’re good for her. You always were. Even when you were more of a hellion.”
The comment drew a smile from him, but also made him think. “She’s good for me, too. And I’m serious about her. That okay with you?”
She nodded. “All I ever wanted was for her to be happy. You make her happy, Maverick. That’s more than good enough for me.”
Alexa came back in and stopped short. Looking between them, she asked, “What’s the matter?”
He chuckled and shook his head. “Nothing’s the matter. We’re just talking.” He managed to keep his voice casual, even though her mom’s words added to the high he was riding. Knowing she approved of them—of him—took a load off his mind. Because Maverick was already thinking in terms of forever. What to do with that, he didn’t know. But they had time to figure it out.
“You kids should go. I know you have that carnival. I’m pretty beat and think I might just like to put my feet up for a while.” She made her way to her chair and sank down. “Aw, look at you putting my books out.” She ran her hands over the album on top of the stack and gave him a smile.
Alexa squeezed his arm as she passed him, and then she crouched beside her mother. “You sure you’ll be okay by yourself? New house and everything?”
“I’m an old pro at being by myself. You go and have fun. You deserve it after everything.” She held out her arms. “Give your mama a hug.”
Mrs. H was so much more relaxed than she’d been earlier in the day that it gave Maverick hope that she’d be happy here, and he knew that would make Alexa happy, too.
“Okay,” Alexa said, rising. “I’ll check on you later.”
“You don’t have to do that. I’m just gonna watch some shows and maybe work on unpacking some more.” She pulled one of the photo albums into her lap which was something he’d seen her do when she was stressed or upset. So maybe she was hiding how she was feeling until they were gone. Fair enough. She was allowed to be stressed over such a big change—and on such short notice.
“All right then, Mrs. H, we’ll get out of your hair for a while. But if you need anything, you call and we’ll be here. Simple as.” He nailed her with a stare so that she’d know he was serious.
“Don’t worry.” She pushed back in her recliner and stroked her hand over the album’s cover.
Alexa gave her shoulder a squeeze. “I want you to be happy here, Mom.”
“I think you did a good thing for me, Alexa. So thank you.”
When Alexa turned toward him, the expression on her face nearly sucker punched him. Mrs. H wasn’t much known for giving apologies or outwardly showing affection, and she’d given both to Alexa today in one form or another. Maverick knew what that meant and he was glad for her. Alexa deserved it, and she needed it right now, too.
She came right up to him. “So, do I get to dunk your butt tonight or what?”
He smirked. “Nope, I’m on tomorrow. But if you think you can take me down, bring it.”
She grinned and arched a brow, her look full of sass. “Oh, I’m gonna take you down all right. But for tonight, I’ll settle for you winning me lots of stuffed animals.”
He nodded. “Challenge accepted. Let’s go.”
Outside, they made for his pickup truck. When she got in, Alexa turned to him. “You know, I’m glad the carnival’s tonight. We need something happy and fun, a celebration.”
He hauled her across the seat and pressed a careful kiss to the side of her head. “Yeah, we fucking do. We all do.”
“I’m just sorry Jagger isn’t here,” she said, squeezing his thigh. It meant a lot that she thought of his brother, because he felt the same way.
“Me, too, Al. But he’s why we have to do this and do it right. We need this to be the big success he knew it could be. Tonight, we’ll celebrate brotherhood, club, and family in his honor until we can get him out of there.”
She nodded. “Thank you for everything today, Maverick. You were such a huge help and you were so good with Mom. I appreciate it.”
“No thanks required, Al. It’s what you do for someone you love.” He gave her a look.
She leaned her head against his shoulder. “I adore the way that sounds.”
So did he. He started the truck. “Good. Get used to it, baby. Because nothing’s going to change it. Ever.”
CHAPTER 29
I’d say we have a huge fucking success on our hands,” Maverick said, toasting with Dare and Phoenix under one of the big tents. A bunch of the Ravens had claimed a few tables where they could take turns grabbing dinner. He and Alexa had just finished eating burgers and fries, which might’ve been a bad decision given she wanted to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl.
“We can use the good news. It’s been a rough few weeks for everyone,” Dare said, looking out over the crowds filling the carnival grounds. Mav’s gaze followed, his brain half scanning for Slater, even though he knew he wasn’t there. They’d had the P.I. put a tail on him the second he left the police station, and the guy had been directed to notify them immediately if Slater came anywhere near the Ravens’ property.
Even though it wasn’t even quite dark yet, more people had shown up than they’d expected, and they’d actually had to rent out the fallow cornfield from the farmer who owned the tract of land across the street from the racetrack for additional parking. That was saying something given the crowds they often entertained on busy race nights.
From the lines in Dare’s face, it was clear that Jagger’s absence weighed on him. Dare always tended to take the burden of the club’s business—and all its members—on his shoulders. Always had. “There’ll be more good news to come, too,” Maverick said. “You know it.”
“I know, but it can’t come soon enough.” He turned to Haven, sitting next to him on the picnic table bench. “Okay, what rides have you never ridden?”
She grinned like he hung the sun and the moon just for her, and Maverick loved seeing that. His cousin deserved it. And fuck if he hadn’t seen a similar expression on Alexa’s face when she looked at him. The realization made him feel ten feet tall. “The Tilt-A-Whirl and the Sea Dragon and the spinny thing that plays the music.”
“The Gravitron?” he asked. She nodded. Did Dare turn a little green or did Mav imagine it? “Okay. It’s a plan.”
“Oh, let’s ride the Tilt-A-Whirl together,” Alexa said. The two women jumped up, excited by the idea.
“First one to hurl owes the other fifty bucks,” Maverick said as he and Dare joined the women.
Dare chuckled. “I’m too fucking old for this shit,” he said under his breath. “But I’ll ride every goddamned thing here twice if it makes her happy.”
Maverick understood the sentiment. He took Alexa’s hand, linking their fingers. “Then let’s do it. I’m curious to see what burgers and fries look like on the way back up.”
Alexa and Haven laughed.
“That’s disgusting, Maverick,” Haven said. He winked at her.
P
eople laughed, music played, bells and buzzers rang out, lights twinkled and flashed against the nearly dark sky. Standing in line, Mav almost felt like a kid again. Hanging at a carnival on a summer night with his best friend and his girl. Life was good. Anything was possible. He slid his fingers into Alexa’s hair and kissed her, long and lingering.
“What was that for?” she asked, smiling.
“Do I need a reason to kiss you?”
“Never,” she said.
“Oh, there’s Cora,” Haven said, waving her arms.
The blonde joined them with Slider’s boys in tow.
“My main men,” Maverick said, holding up his hand for high fives. Ben jumped to hit his palm, and Sam attempted to put every bit of his strength into it. Maverick laughed at their antics.
“Maverick,” Ben said in a rush. “We sat all the way at the back of the Sea Dragon and it feels like you’re going to get dumped out of your seat when it’s all the way up. It’s so cool.”
“That sounds awesome, Ben. What else did you ride?” he asked. The six-year-old recounted all his adventures in a fast jumble of words. The boy could barely contain his excitement. Mav was glad to see them happy and having fun. They’d had a rough few years, just like their dad. Speaking of . . . “Is Slider here?” he asked Cora.
“He’s working parking right now, so I offered to take the boys around. Who’s better to go to a carnival with than some awesome kids?” She grinned at Sam and Ben, and both of them beamed up at her.
“When can we play games?” Sam asked.
“I’m following you two. Just lead the way,” she said. As the boys ran off, she threw all of them a wave.
Mav and Dare exchanged a look, and he could read the general tenor of his cousin’s thoughts—worry, for Slider. But at least the guy was here. He’d shown up and pitched in. Maverick had no doubt that said as much about his loyalty to Jagger as anything else. And he had to respect that.
“Tickets, please,” the man at the head of the line said. They handed them over and found two cars near each other.
