“What are you doing?” I asked Maverick.
“I’m starving.”
“Here. Why don’t you sit? I’ll make us breakfast.” He made sure to brush against my body as he passed. His hands settling onto my hips, the denim of his jeans teasing my bare legs.
“I wanted to do something for you for a change. By the way, I found your aspirin in the bathroom and helped myself to some.”
“That’s fine. I had to take Echo out. I still can’t believe you found her.”
His fingers stopped teasing my hips, his arms went tense. “I wanted you to believe that I was serious about a relationship.”
“By stealing her?” I asked.
“It was a mutually agreed upon decision.”
I glanced up at him, fully aware that our scrambled eggs would be burnt eggs any second, I reached back and flipped the stove off. “Well, thank you. Whatever happened, I’m glad she’s back.”
“Me too. I know I’ve given you every reason to not believe me, but I want you to know that I want this. I want you.”
“I want you, too, Maverick. I hope I can be as great as Candi was for you.”
“Are you kidding? First, I wouldn’t ever tell you I love you if I didn’t mean it. Got it?”
“My head knows that. My heart isn’t sure if I will ever compare to Candi though.”
“Are you kidding? I was young. My life was still fresh of turmoil from my parents. I was by no means the same man I am now. None what-so-ever. Honestly, baby. Look at me.” He spread his arms out as far as he could before he started wincing from the pain. “You are no comparison to Candi.”
“I don’t want to be. I’m okay that she’s still in your heart, Maverick. Except I want you, all forty years of you, to myself okay? I’m not okay sharing even if it’s with your first wife.”
“You’re not sharing, baby. Long as I’m not either. Although she’ll always be my first love. My first wife. In my heart. I know you understand that. With you though, I’m ready to live. To love. You and your optimistic attitude brought that out of me. You made me remember a lot of things I’ve tried to forget. I’m done forgetting. I’m done denying myself what I want. And that’s you. You are my sunshine.”
He guided me to my kitchen counter, “I thought you were hungry.” I whispered against his mouth.
“I am. Turns out I’m hungry for more than eggs.”
His fingers slid into my shorts and he pulled them down in one swift motion. His mouth was hot on my lips, my neck and chest.
“I’m gonna fuck you so hard, Gracie,” he threatened as he nibbled my earlobe. He was thick and hot against my panties and I’d never wanted it more. I ground my hips into him. “Not like this. Turn around.” He whisked me over so my bare butt was flush against his denim jeans where I couldn’t resist grinding against him again. He was so very much male. Solid. Large. The rough fabric a turn on all on its own.
His fingers dipped in the front of my thong, sliding between my thighs, pinching my clit as he continued whispering all the dirty things he was going to do to me. Finally, he let the thin lace fall to the floor.
“Right here, Gracie. Hold on tight, Princess.”
When the sound of his zipper cut through the air, I gripped the edge of my counter embracing myself for his sweet assault, loving the way the head of his cock rubbed against my slit. Teasing. Slow. When he thrust inside me it was anything but. I groaned in satisfying pleasure as he penetrated me to the fullest. He kept a violent tempo and I literally hung on for the ride.
He somehow managed to maneuver my leg up against the counter so one leg was down and my ankle on the other leg rested on the edge, giving him easier access to my sweet spot. He grunted and groaned as he used his fingers to elicit a strong, painfully good orgasm from me. I buckled into him, convulsing around his wide girth as he pounded into me a few more times before he, too, was taken over by the magnificent feelings of ecstasy.
“Move in with me.”
“I already told you that I would.”
“No. You didn’t. I need to hear you say it. I need to know you’ll do it and that I will be forever allowed to eat all of your baked goods.”
I laughed at his joke but his whiskey eyes pleaded with mine. “I want to move in with you, Maverick. But I have one problem.”
“What?” he asked hesitantly, as he helped me dress.
“I’m getting my surgery and I’ll be at the hospital for at least two days after that. I won’t be able to lift heavy stuff for a while. I won’t be able to move right away. Maybe once school starts-”
He was vehemently shaking his head, “No and fuck no. I’ll take care of it. Who’s taking you to your appointment?”
“Myself. It’s only in Deer Creek. I can drive.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“You will?”
“Fuck yeah I will. Why wouldn’t I?”
I shrugged, “Not used to having someone there to help me.”
He pulled me into him and I buried my face into his chest as he held on to me tight. “Get used to it, Princess. I’m going to be around. You can count on me.”
Afterward, we went for another ride on his newly finished motorcycle. We drove along the highways and out near the same lake he took me to before. He parked the bike and we got off. Then, second-guessing himself, he began stowing our blanket back into the saddle bags and he grabbed my hand tugging me so I had no choice but to get back on the bike.
“Here.”
“What are we doing?” I yelled over the roar of the engine.
He didn’t answer. He drove the bike around, pulled out of the parking area and into a small picnic spot I’d glimpsed when we pulled into the state park. He pulled his bike up, behind a grove of oak trees and came to a stop, shut the bike off and put the kickstand down.
“I’m doing what I’ve been wanting to do to you ever since you started hanging out in my garage.”
His eyes were dark and hungry and the heat pooled between my legs as he hopped off the bike.
“Stay on. Unzip me. Take it out and stroke me.”
I did as he ordered. His cock hot in my hands as I stroked him, cupping his balls with one hand and moving my hand up and down his hard length with the other.
“Aren’t you worried someone will see us?”
He looked around us and shrugged. “Pull your shorts over. Yeah, like that. Look at that pussy of yours, Grace. Always so damn ready.”
My heart thundered in my chest as I figured out his plan. We were going to have sex on this thing and I was a tad frightened that it wouldn’t hold us up. Not with the way he fucked. He sat on his bike facing me and for a second I thought he was going to tower over me as I leaned back.
“Like this. My fantasy was bending you over this thing, but we’ll do that later.” He effortlessly lifted me into his lap and like a water slide I slid easily onto his thick cock. I moaned into his ear at the sensation. All of it. Being out in the open, even though we were tucked back into a heavily treed area. My legs wide open over him.
“That’s it, sunshine. Hold on to my handlebars and ride me.”
I did what he said and rode him, flying high on the idea of someone seeing us and knowing this was the wildest place I’d ever had sex. One that would be my most-memorable.
“I know you’re close. Ride me, baby. Harder. Don’t stop.”
He egged me on and I did as I was told.
Sweat dripped down between my tits and the wetness between us was semi-soaked up from my shorts as I fucked him with all my might. I arched my head to the sky as my orgasm took hold of me and his long fingers dug into my lower back as he came seconds later.
“Oh my gosh, Maverick. Can we do that again sometime?”
He chuckled as he helped me off his lap and he climbed off the bike.
“I plan to. As often as we can.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a while before he spoke.
“I saw Lori, by the way. Again. I forgot to tell you. I also made
a visit to the prison.”
“You did? What happened?” I asked hopeful.
“First, my dad says he’s been born again. He apologized for my upbringing. That was why he wanted to see Lori – to apologize. I drove my bike around and wound up at her place, told her what my dad wanted. I accepted her apology for her not being a great mother and I told her it didn’t fix everything between us and that I didn’t know if I would see more of her. We just left it at a stalemate of sorts.”
“That’s a start, Maverick. I’m proud of you.”
Two days later Maverick and I took his beautiful Indian bike to my appointment. He pulled into the parking lot of my plastic surgeon’s office and I hopped off the bike and watched his back muscles flex and move beneath his black t-shirt as he retrieved my things from one of the saddle bags. Lucky me, no vest today, so I could admire every ripple and crest of his broad chest, his back and the way his forearms flexed as he drove us around.
“You checking me out?” his voice was a low growl.
“I’m just getting my fill before I go under.”
“You sure this doctor knows what he’s doing? You’ve checked him all out, seen before and after pictures, all that bullshit?”
“For the tenth time, Maverick, yes. I’ve checked on all his licenses and schooling, gone through all the before and after pics and researched him online. All the forums and reviews say he’s the best in Deer Creek. I’ve done all the necessary bloodwork and tests.”
“I don’t want anything happening to you, Gracie.”
He tugged me toward him. His lips met mine and his hot tongue swiped at my bottom lip. I could already feel myself becoming drenched from anticipation.
He gathered my things from the saddle bags and tugged me toward the entrance.
“You’re good?” he asked.
“I’ll be fine. Are you going to come inside with me?”
“You want me to go in with you? I didn’t want to overstep.”
“If you don’t mind. At least until they put me under.”
“I’d be honored,” he stammered.
We went in and I checked in with the front desk. I’d already filled out all my paperwork during my last visit so all I was waiting for was to be ushered to a room where I could change and head into surgery.
“Grace Patterson.” The nurse that spoke with me before stood ahead of us with a small computer in hand.
“Hi.” Wow. I didn’t realize how nervous I was until right this second. Maverick’s calloused hand closed around my cold one and together we followed the nurse down the corridor.
“How are you today? I have you all set up in here. I know we’ve already gone through everything but if you’re confused about anything or have a question, please ask. That’s what we’re here for.”
“Will it be okay if he stays with me until the anesthesia?”
“I’m Maverick.”
“Hi, Maverick. Nikki Green. Looks like someone got one over on you.”
“You should see the other guys,” I joked for him and Maverick laughed while Nikki ignored us both.
“He can stay with you until the anesthesia starts to kick in. I’ll let the doctor know. Here are some photographs, just to double-check what we’ve already discussed. The before photo is on the left and the photo on the right is what it will look like after surgery. Dr. Carson will remove five-hundred and seventy-five grams from each breast. He’s already shown you what the incisions will look like. You’ve watched the video of a reduction surgery. Let’s get you changed and take your vitals. You’ve removed all your jewelry, correct?”
“Yes. I think I’m good. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“How long does the surgery take?” Maverick asked.
“Anywhere from two to three hours. On average about three. Anything else?”
When I shook my head, and looked at Maverick who also shook his head, I smiled.
“Okay. Go ahead and change and we’ll get started. I am your nurse so I will be here when you wake up from surgery. If you need anything, ask for me. My shift ends at seven tonight.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem. See you in a few.”
She left the two of us alone and Maverick turned to me. A little worry and a lot of confidence. “I’m not good with words like you. I’m proud of you, Gracie. So damn proud.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. “I never thought I could do this by myself. I’m glad I have you.”
“Sunshine, you could have done this alone, but now you don’t have to. Besides, you are doing it alone. It’s all you. You don’t need me. You don’t need anyone. You’re strong enough to do this without anybody. I’m only happy you allowed me to be a part of it.”
“Help me undress?” I asked, giving him a wicked grin.
“Don’t have to ask me twice.” His hands were on me, gently pulling my shirt over my head. I shook my flip flops off my feet and he unbuttoned my shorts, pulling them down my legs as I leaned against the hospital bed.
I went to unhook my bra and he stopped me. “Let me.”
He undid the hooks and ever so slowly and surely he nudged the straps down each of my arms. He kissed my mouth, my chin, his stubble grazing my neck and shoulders as he kissed the indention my bra straps left.
“No more,” he muttered as he placed feather-light kisses across one side and then the other.
When the bra fell from my breasts, he cupped them in both hands.
“I want one last picture,” I told him.
“What?” he asked incredulously.
“Do it, Maverick. Take one with your phone. I want one picture so that way, when I lose my way and lose my courage, I can look back and remember how much strength I have.”
Seeing my stubbornness and smart enough not to argue, he withdrew his phone and I posed like a pinup girl in just my panties against the edge of the bed. He snapped one and went to put his phone back.
“No. A few more.” I commanded, feeling confident in my new role.
While I posed, bending my legs up and thrusting my bare chest out, he mumbled all sorts of praises to me. How beautiful I was, how he’d never seen anything like it. How hard I was making him. Which was no lie. His bulge strained against the denim of his jeans as I pranced around. Getting more and more brazen as the shots flew by, I held each breast in each palm and squeezed them together. I crawled onto the bed on all fours and had him take a picture of me that way and then lastly, I lifted one to my mouth and swirled my tongue around the hard tip.
At that, he clicked off a few, literally threw his phone onto my pile of clothes and stalked over to me. His mouth sucking each nipple into his mouth while his large working hands massaged the flesh around them.
“Oh God, Maverick. You have to stop.”
“You started it.” He backed away, leaving me breathless and turned on. Heat flooded my cheeks. He adjusted his extremely hard erection before turning around.
“Get dressed, Grace. I’m on the fucking edge here.”
Just in time, I dressed and Nikki was knocking on the door. “All ready?”
“Come in.”
She came into the room and Maverick gave her his bad boy look. The same one that I tried so hard not to let affect me. The same one I now reveled in and squirmed with delight when I was under him or watching him between my thighs. “Don’t let anything happen to her.”
As we followed Nikki down the hall hand in hand, my heart beat wildly for the man strolling by my side. It thumped madly for the thought that I was finally doing it. I was finally making myself happy.
Chapter Twenty
Maverick
I waited in the lounge for the surgery, doing nothing but sitting on my ass, twiddling my thumbs. I couldn’t get into the television show that was airing. Neither the coffee kiosk or the counter full of small-sized snacks sounded appealing.
I thought a lot about things while I waited. Life. Love. My parents. Candi. Grace and Echo. Being with Grace made me realize how much
of my life I hadn’t been living. Not loving. I blamed my parents for my fucked-up-ed-ness, but the truth was that I held that torch and carried it all on my own. No, they weren’t role models, but I was a grown-assed man. I could have stepped up to the plate any time and went looking for someone.
Although no one would have satisfied me the way Grace does. Her and Echo were it for me. Well, maybe another dog or two wouldn’t be so bad. I’ve always had a soft spot for Saint Bernards. Truth was, I fell in love with Echo the second I saw the two of them on my curb. It was easier to avoid her, though. Just like it was easier to avoid my feelings for Grace.
I chuckled out loud. And here I sat, worried sick about her being in her surgery, praying to God and whoever else might be listening, that she would get through this without any hiccups.
“Maverick? Grace is done with her surgery. She’s asking for you.”
The nurse stood next to me, concern etched in her eyes. I stood abruptly.
“Is she okay?”
“Everything’s fine. The surgery went well. Follow me. I’ll take you back.”
We walked in the opposite direction of where we were first admitted, into the back woods of the facility. Peeking in some of the open doors, the rooms were more homey than the one we were in before. There was a TV, a blue couch and matching chair in each of these rooms along with a hospital bed.
“Here we are. If you need anything, just use your call button,” she said to Grace.
I let the woman pass and rushed into the room, eyeing Grace from head to toe. Her hair was caught between straight and mildly curly. She wore a hospital gown but because she was under the covers, I couldn’t see any immediate results.
“They’re fine,” she assured me. “They showed me a picture in my file. When these bandages come off, I’ll have a better look. But God, Maverick, I can already feel the difference and I haven’t even stood up yet.”
“That’s good, right?”
A tinge of pink colored her cheeks and her mouth was bright pink and I resisted the urge to place my mouth against hers.
“It’s fantastic. The doctor said everything went well. I’ll have some scarring but it’ll fade over time and you know, this is all worth it. The scarring is a small price to pay for comfort and confidence.”
Wicked: A Small Town Romance (Love in Lone Star Book 3) Page 21
