“I’m tired of men who ask, “You want to have sex?” I want to be held, touched. Like if I’m doing the dishes, someone to come up behind me, running his hands up my body…Well you get it. I want one who will stick up for me or my kids, protect us.”
He frowned. “Your husband hasn’t done this?”
“No. His brother has called me every name in the book, he harassed my son when he was small. My children are terrified of this man, but my husband would just laugh and ignore it. I want someone that has already had their family and does not want to start another one.” She shrugged. “It’s not a lot to ask, but enough that I’m afraid I won’t find him. I have a feeling I’m going to be one of those old ladies with lots of cats around her.”
Maverick couldn’t help but smile. “You’re a cat person?” he asked.
“I have two right now. One is about 20 and the other about 15. I think I’ll always have a cat, but the next one I get will be a Moon cat. Those things are amazing.”
“Excuse me, Sir. Can I get you two anything else?” the waitress asked, coming up to their table.
“Why don’t we take some dessert back with us? What do you like?” he asked.
“Anything that isn’t chocolate. I get migraines from that, even though I love it. Carrot cake is my favorite though.”
“Two pieces of your carrot cake to go please, and the check,” Maverick told the waitress as his phone started to go off. “Excuse me,” he frowned, pulling out his phone and not recognizing the number.
“Maverick here,” he said into the phone, but leaned down to the crook of her neck, taking a deep breath again.
“I wanted to warn you that Derek is back in town,” the voice said and the line went dead.
At once he glanced around him. If Derek was back, he had brought others with him and it wouldn’t be good. “Come, we need to leave.” He slid out of the booth and threw some money onto the table, helping her up.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just got some news that is confusing and I need to check with a few friends about, but nothing to worry about.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head and took the bag from the waitress. “Money is on the table, thank you.” Maverick started to walk away when Jess stopped, going through her purse.
“Wait I have to pay for my bill,” she said taking out a $20.
“Nope, I asked you out for dinner.” Maverick tucked her money back into her bag and moved them through the diner till they were outside. He scanned the area, seeing nothing unusual. There were no strange scents for the area, but that didn’t mean a lot, since a lot of people passed through the area.
As soon as they were in the car, Maverick dialed Bran’s number, his second in command. He answered on the second ring. “What’s wrong? You never call when you’re with a woman.” Bran said, knowing him too well.
“I’ve just been informed that Derek is in town. Check it out and get back to me,” Maverick ordered.
“Even tonight?” Bran asked, all business.
“Yes, I’ll know it’s you. And find out who called, and warned us,” he said, glancing to Jess next to him. She looked up at him, a question in her eyes.
He disconnected the phone and stuffed it in his pocket. “He was a trouble maker at the hotel, so I want to make sure with the convention going on, he doesn’t start something.”
“You don’t have to tell me, Maverick, but please don’t lie to me either. I’ve had enough of that in my life.” She looked out the window.
“It wasn’t a lie?” Maverick growled. “There is more, but I rather not get into that.” He reached over and cupped her chin, bringing her attention back on him. “I promise I won’t lie to you.”
Jess seemed to stare at him for a few seconds. “We’ll see, but it really doesn’t matter. I’m not going to be here long. I go home on Monday and then you won’t have to worry about me. Hell, even after tonight. You’ll go your way and I’ll go mine.”
“Don’t forget our dinner tomorrow night. Mara must think there could be something between us, if she set this up.” He leaned down and licked her lips. “Maybe she’s right.” Maverick covered her mouth before she could say a word, not liking her way of thinking and that itself was freighting to him. Three hours with this little woman and something was happening.
* * *
Jess looked down as Maverick released her and turned to start his car. She had seen the expression on his face when she had mentioned about only being here a week. Maybe Jess was reading something that wasn’t there or wishing that was there.
She rested her head against the window and watched the traffic go by as he drove back towards the hotel. Jess had to slow down. So some man had given her a kiss that actually made her panties wet and her heartbeat speed up. Hell, even his touch seemed to make her forget everything around her.
One thing was for sure, there was a mess at home to clean up and Jess didn’t even know where to start. Well a job was needed now. And then there was the fact she had to get her son through the last year of school.
“Hey none of whatever you are doing?” Maverick said, giving her a sideways glance.
“What?” she frowned.
“Little Fawn, I can see the worry in your expression.” He pulled his car up to the front of the hotel and turned to her. “No worries tonight. You’re going to turn yourself over to me.”
“No worries,” she said as her door was opened.
“Wait for me,” Maverick said and got out of the car, coming around to her side and holding out his hand for her
She placed her hand in his and smiled. “You are a true gentlemen, dear Sir,” she teased and he growled.
“Always. My mom made sure of it or I’d have the back of her hand on my head. Don’t even get me started on my father. He’d tar and feather me if I didn’t treat any woman the right way.” With his arm around her, they stepped into the hotel lobby and, of course, all eyes turned.
“You always get looks like this?” she asked and he snorted.
“Afraid it comes with the job, but who is to say they aren’t for you? You are a writer and this is a convention for authors, isn’t it?” he asked escorting her to some private elevators she had never used.
“Sorry, but I’m not that popular. Oh, I have my fan base, but I haven’t hit the top ten, yet. Maybe one day.” Jess said, smiling up at him as they stepped into the elevator and he swiped a special key.
“Now tell me,” Maverick turned to her and backed her up against the wall, trapping her with his body. “Will you be writing about your experience tonight?”
She stiffened and looked up at him. “You aren’t with me because you want that, are you? This isn’t about publicity, is it?” Jess couldn’t help the hurt sound in her voice, but she should have known it was too good to be true.
Maverick gripped her hips and lifted her as if she weighed nothing, till she was eye level with him. “Little Fawn, if I wanted publicity I could get it anytime.” He held her gaze for a few seconds. “So much hurt, I wish we had more time. I would love to replace what I see. But for now know I would never expect anything. This is between you and me, no one else. Put your arms around me, Jess,” he ordered and she obeyed without a thought, sliding her arms up around his neck.
“You’re going to give yourself a hernia holding me up,” she whispered into his ear, placing a kiss on the base of his neck.
His hands slid down and up under her dress, cupping her ass cheeks. “Honey, you weigh nothing, and do not let me hear you say another negative thing about this body. I happen to like what I see and feel.” He growled when the elevator swung open and two men stepped in, but he never released her, as he glanced over his shoulder.
“You have a reason to interrupt me?” he asked, right before he turned his head and stared down at her breasts. “Beautiful.”
His warm breath against her skin sent a tingle through her as Maverick placed a kiss on each breast not caring that they had company in the ele
vator.
“Maverick?” she tried to push away, but he growled again, his heated gaze meeting hers.
“Do not move. They work for me and know better than to say a word.” Once more he turned his gaze to them. “Well?”
One man glanced at her, then at him. “He’s here in town, and from we’ve found out, he has a few followers that stayed here. We’re tracking them down now to see if we can find anything out. Cadoc is missing and is not answering his phone either.” Maverick lowered her down to the ground, but slid his arm back around her, hugging her tight as he turned to the two men.
“Find him. I want to know where he went. Bran, if you need me, only you are allowed upstairs tonight, understand?” Maverick said and moved them to the door as the elevator stopped. Once more Maverick slid his key into the scanner and the door opened to a private suite. Lights automatically came on, lighting their way into the apartment.
“An hour,” Maverick said before the door closed, leaving them alone again. “Strip and set your clothes there on the couch.” He dropped his keys and card on the little table by the elevator doors.
Jess looked up at Maverick, a little bit afraid. It had been over nine years since any man had really seen her without clothes. Would he turn away once seeing the real her? The rolls, scars, and stretch marks did not make a pretty body.
“Stop, right there.” Maverick turned grasping her chin, staring at her. “I see,” he pulled her into the living room. “Stay right there, do not move.” He said going into another room. He was only gone a few seconds before he came out with a full-length mirror.
She stepped back and shook her head. “No, I don’t even look into them at home unless I’m dressed,” Jess said and took another step back, ready to leave, but Maverick was quick, moving behind her and just hugging her.
“Hush, I’ve got you.” He whispered into her ear. “No matter what scars you have, or how many love rolls you have, I’ll only see beauty before me. Let me show you what I see?” he asked.
* * *
Jess had been totally confident until they had stepped into his apartment. She was shaking her arms, afraid of her own reflection, which only made him furious. For a woman to actually be afraid of what she looked like was a result of years of doubt and someone hurting her.
Her eyes were big and glittered with unshed tears, but Maverick would not give on this. She would see what he saw. Slowly, as not to scare her, he placed a kiss on her shoulder, lowering the zipper of her dress. “Your skin is so soft and you smell of wild flowers from the desert.” He said and lowered her dress to the floor. “Step out and hand me the dress.”
She stepped out and bent to grab her dress, and that is when Maverick noticed the tattoo on her lower back. “Beautiful,” he said and traced her tattoo with his finger as she threw her dress on the couch. Jess glanced over her shoulder.
“Nope, we’re not done, we haven’t even begun.” She rolled her eyes as Jess was looking away. “Wrong mistake,” he said and smacked her butt twice hard. “I won’t be disrespected, Jess.” He frowned at her in the mirror. “I’m not a child and I’m trying to be patient here, but if this is a game to you, get your dress on and leave.” Maverick stepped back, releasing her.
There was no smile on his face, but he watched the play of her emotions run across her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” she glanced over her shoulder. “I really am.”
“Stop,” he pointed to the floor and waited.
Tears filled her eyes and she shook her head. “I’m sorry, I can’t do that.” Jess smiled, but it was a sad one. “I…”
“Then get dressed and leave. I told you I demand respect.” He turned his back and moved to the elevator, furious. Here he thought she was the one. He heard the zipper of her dress as he pushed the button for the elevator.
She stepped up to the door not even bothering to look at him, her shoes in her hands, and her hair now pulled down, free from the bun that had been on her head. “Thank you for dinner. I’ll inform Mara I won’t be able to come tomorrow. Maybe another night she and I can visit.” The door opened and she stepped into the elevator, looking at him. “It’s better this way. My aches and pains couldn’t have kept up with you anyway. You need someone young and pretty. Have a good night, Maverick,” she said, the door closing, leaving him standing there.
“What ache and pains?” he growled wanting the door to open, realizing at once that he had made the biggest mistake of his life. “Fuck!” He took out his phone as he waited for the elevator again, five minutes later. “I need a room number for a guest. A Jess…” Maverick stopped, he didn’t even know here last name.
“Her friend’s name is Viola Gramm I need her room number please.” He stepped into the elevator.
“I’m sorry sir, but we can’t give out that kind of information.” The clerk said and hung the phone up on him.
“You little fucking asshole,” Maverick said, as he punched the button on the ground floor, but the elevator stopped on level six as his best friend stepped into the box with him.
“What happened?” Bran asked.
“I fucked up. Why are you here? Is there trouble?” Maverick asked, having a very bad feeling.
Bran leaned over and pushed the third level button. “We have a woman down. Are you going to handle this?”
“What am I handling?” Maverick asked as the elevator opened hallway full of people around what seemed to be a woman on the floor. Her scent hit him first, before he noticed her barefoot and Bran pushed through. When he stepped up to her, the cat roared inside him.
“Take her up to your suite now,” Bran said and started telling others to go back to their rooms, that everything would all right.
Maverick lifted Jess up into his arms, carefully. She moaned, her body shook, as her eyes fluttered open. “No,” she tried to move, but couldn’t even lift her hand.
He turned and stepped back into the elevator as Bran opened it up, but they weren’t alone. Her friends Viola and the other woman stepped in with them. “What do you think you’re doing? She needs to go to the hospital? I thought she was staying with you? What happened?” The one woman snapped, but both glared at him.
“I can’t answer you right now. I have to get this poison out of her. You are more than welcome to come with us, but don’t say a word.” Maverick said and Bran swiped his card as the door closed the five of them in the box.
“You’re a paramedic?” the other woman asked as the elevator finally opened to his suite.
“Bran, keep the ladies company, while I take care of Jess.” Maverick ignored their questions and quickly moved to his suite. He knew what she had been poisoned with and how to heal her. He would not lose her even if it meant Maverick must do something that wasn’t supposed to be done, but there was no choice.
Quickly, he stripped his clothes and her clothes. “I’m sorry, Little Fawn, but I promise I’ll make this up to you,” he said, right before he shifted to the leopard.
He didn’t wait and bit down on her breast right above her heart, tearing the skin, leaving his mark, knowing the bacteria on his fangs would destroy any poison in her blood. But it could also start the change, depending on her DNA.
She screamed and tried to get away from him, but he carefully partially covered her body with his, knowing he had to bite her at least two more times to make sure the bacteria entered her blood.
On the last bite, Jess passed out just as the bedroom door slammed open and her friends rushed in. “Damn it, move back now,” Bran growled and pushed the women out, but turned to look at him. “You better know what you are doing?” he snapped.
Maverick snarled, but continued to clean the blood from Jess’s body before he shifted and got dressed. He grabbed his dress shirt from the ground and carefully dressed her before covering her up. She would sleep for a few hours while her body worked at destroying the poison.
“You can beat this, Little Fawn, you’re stronger than you think,” he said placing a kiss on the
top of her head.
“You really do care for her?” Viola said behind her.
“How did you get in here again?” Maverick looked around, but didn’t see her other friend.
“Lori is back in her room and knows nothing, but your friend couldn’t erase my mind. A little protection in there. So you’re a shifter? Cool, but now tell me what happened.” Viola sat down on the bed next to Jess. “I take it you guys own the hotel? Is she going to be okay?”
He sighed, as Bran walked into the room. “I don’t know. The poison that was given to her was meant to kill her. It’s not effective on us, but on humans, it’s deadly. Right now her body is trying to destroy the poison. Our teeth contain some bacteria that will break down the poison, at least that’s the theory. Yes, the pack owns the hotel.”
“I’ve heard our doctors talking about this the last time Derek was in town, but they didn’t know if it would work. You took a risk of not only her dying, but changing,” Bran said.
“I couldn’t allow her to die, she’s something to me, I just haven’t figured out what. Put out the word about what has happened. I want Derek caught now and Bran…” Maverick glanced over at his best friend. “Close down the diner until we find out who did this. We don’t need other humans dying.”
“She could really die?” Viola whispered, squeezing her friend’s hand. “Listen up, lady. Don’t you dare give up. I’m going to go cover your ass, but I better see you down stairs tomorrow. Remember you have that pitch tomorrow and Mara is going to have a fit if you don’t wake up.” She stood and moved to leave, but turned to stare at him. “I’m trusting you with my friend. Don’t screw up. I’ll make sure everyone thinks she’s okay, that she just had a fainting spell or something like that.” Viola glanced down at Jess again. “Call me when she wakes.”
Left My Heart in Sin City Page 3
