by Melody Anne
“You can shower at my place. I have plans tonight,” he said, easily reaching her and turning her in the direction of his truck.
“I can’t leave my car here,” she told him, tugging against his hold. “And Princess needs me.”
“Stormy is watching Princess,” he said. “And your car is fine. It’s in a secure parking lot. I’ll bring you to get it tomorrow.” They reached his truck and he leaned her back against it, boxing her in.
“I don’t plan on spending the night with you,” she said, gaining some fire in her eyes.
“Well, you should know that my plans for you go all the way to the morning.” The soft purr in his voice had been known to drop women to their knees before. Apparently not this woman.
“Just because we spent a spectacular night having lots of sex doesn’t automatically mean I’m going to keep on doing that with you,” she said, placing a hand on her hip.
She was turning his own words back around on him. Good for her.
“Sex is optional, sugar. There’s more to life than great sex,” he said with a laugh. “I’m still trying to figure out exactly what that is, but I’ve been told there’s more to life, at least,” he added.
Then he got the smile he’d been hoping for. Damn! When she smiled, it stole his breath, and made his heart lodge in his throat. Her lips were certainly deadly weapons.
“I still need clothes if I’m coming over. Why don’t I just meet you?” she offered.
“Because you’ll find a reason not to come. I have sweats and T-shirts you can wear. They’ll be baggy, but you’ll look adorable. Come on, sugar. Let’s be spontaneous,” he urged.
She looked as if she were pondering it for several moments, and then he knew he’d won. He could see the curiosity in her eyes.
“I’m not agreeing to all night,” was all she said.
Too tempted not to, he leaned in and took her lips, being gentle as he sipped her flavor. He wanted to crush her to him, but she’d had a hell of a day. Tonight, all the way into the morning, was going to be about tenderness and laughter. His libido could take a cold shower for now.
Opening his truck door, he helped her inside, then quickly rushed around to the driver’s side. Getting in, he knew what he’d been missing the last few days. It was the smell of her perfume engulfing him.
The hospital smells fell away, and all his senses were tuned into the beautiful woman sitting next to him. He’d never be able to drive this truck again without thinking about her.
He took his time getting home, letting her relax as the two of them looked out at the harbor lights when they neared his place. He was nervous for her to see it. He hoped she liked it. Really, it didn’t matter much, he tried to tell himself. It wasn’t as if he were asking her to move in or anything, but for some reason, he wanted her to like the place.
They pulled up and he sat there a moment as she looked at the front deck.
“When did you move here?” she asked.
“I just bought the place a couple weeks ago,” he admitted.
“And it’s already furnished?”
“That was one of the great things about the purchase. It came that way. I only had to move a few items. I got rid of a lot of my old stuff and took advantage of the decorating skills of the previous owners.”
“Lucky man,” she told him. “It looks beautiful—and very big,” she said with a nervous laugh.
“Wait until you see the inside.”
He rushed around the truck and let her out, then led her up the steps and to the covered front deck. When he unlocked the doors, Benji and Princess came running at them.
“Princess!” Lindsey exclaimed, true joy in her voice as she dropped down and enveloped the dog. After the day she’d had, he’d known she would want to see her.
“I had Coop bring her over. My housekeeper has been keeping an eye on them, and set a few things up for us,” he said, suddenly nervous when she looked up at him with a tender gaze.
“Thanks, Mav. That was really thoughtful.”
Suddenly he was feeling as if he couldn’t breathe again. He tugged at the collar of his shirt as he took off his jacket.
“Let me show you where you can shower and change. Coop texted me and said that Stormy went ahead and grabbed some of your clothes and sent them over with him. You don’t have to wear my baggy sweats after all,” he told her.
Her cheeks pinked, and it didn’t take long for him to find out why. “Stormy has to be thinking . . .” She trailed off.
“She’s thinking you had a hell of a day at work and that we’re going to make up for it by having a romantic evening,” he said as he kneeled down and cupped her face.
“Okay,” she said, but he could see she was still embarrassed.
“Come on. Princess can go with you.”
She allowed him to help her back up, and then both of them climbed the stairs with the two dogs close at their heels. After he left her in his bedroom, he waited for her outside. He watched the stars and thought about his conversation earlier in the day with Coop.
Maverick was beginning to think his brother just might be right about how he was feeling about Lindsey. But did it even matter if he was falling for the girl? It didn’t change anything. He wasn’t ready to settle down yet.
That thought depressed him. On this night he didn’t want to feel anything other than happiness, so he pushed it away. He had a few things to prepare for their perfect night together, so he focused on those instead of focusing on tomorrow.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Lindsey took her time in the shower, scrubbing her body clean. She still felt dirty, though. That man’s blood hadn’t touched her skin, thankfully, and though Mav had cleaned everything off her, it had been a hell of a day and she was having a difficult time feeling sterile enough.
When Lindsey walked out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped snugly around her, Princess was sitting in wait, her ears perking up.
“Did you miss me today, little girl?” she asked before lifting the dog and sitting down on the huge comfortable bed in the middle of the room. Princess stretched up on her hind legs and licked Lindsey’s chin. “I’ll take that as a yes,” she said with a laugh. “I missed you, too.”
Taking a little more time, Lindsey gave Princess plenty of love, which they both obviously needed. She then went over to the bag Stormy had sent.
When she opened it up, Lindsey wasn’t a happy camper. There was hardly anything in it at all—a few pairs of skimpy panties, brand new lingerie, and a note that said to stay inside and enjoy herself.
With a growl, Lindsey thought about calling Stormy up and reaming her best friend, but that wouldn’t do her any good. She decided to raid Mav’s closet instead. At least Lindsey knew Stormy didn’t disapprove of her relationship with Maverick. She might be just as disappointed as Lindsey was going to be when their time was up.
When she opened Maverick’s closet door, her heart might have stalled mid-beat. It was a woman’s dream come true with a huge center island and so many drawers that Lindsey didn’t know where to start. Only a small portion of the hanger space was even being used. She went over and ran her hand down Maverick’s formal military garments and thought she really wouldn’t mind seeing the man all decked out in them.
It took a while, but finally she found a pair of sweats with a drawstring that she had to tighten all the way and a T-shirt that said US Air Force on it. It hung all the way down to her thighs.
Taking a big whiff, she inhaled Maverick’s scent, thinking she didn’t mind wearing his clothing. She felt relaxed in this room, with his things. Plus, her day had been so draining. She thought about curling up in his bed, but she needed to go back downstairs. He was waiting and had made plans for the two of them. She was curious about what he considered to be a soothing evening.
He’d already done such amazing things for her, she couldn’t imagine what he had planned. She hoped it didn’t involve going anywhere. As much fun as she’d had playing baseball and b
eing whipped around a racecar track, she was emotionally exhausted at the moment and didn’t want to see anyone other than Maverick.
The lights were dim when she came down the stairs, but she could see fine. Princess went off to look for Benji and Lindsey made her way to the kitchen. A full wine glass was sitting next to a candle and a note on the counter.
Picking up the glass, she took a sip of the delicious red liquid before reading the note.
Blow out the candle, grab your wine, and come out the back door. Follow the trail.
Nothing else was written. Lindsey’s curiosity was fully piqued. She took the glass and sipped on it while she exited the open patio doors. There she found an illuminated path that appeared to lead to the beach, which wasn’t far away. There was a glow at the end of the path. Lindsey set out to investigate.
It wasn’t a far stroll through the trees. When the forested area cleared, she found a perfect little oasis. There was a small sandy beach surrounded by a rock wall on one side, and bushes on the other with nothing but water in front.
The area was protected from the wind. In the center of it all was a tent, of sorts.
Maverick was standing to the side of the tent with a rose in one hand, a glass of wine in the other, and a beaming smile on his face.
“What is all of this?” she asked as she stepped near him.
“We’re going to enjoy a picnic beneath the stars,” he said.
She walked closer and peered inside the tent. A large, comfortable bedlike lounger with a blanket and cushions overlooked a soothing fire and the water. Maverick had a picnic set up on a side table.
“Can we even see through the top of the tent?” she asked.
“Ah, the top is clear and there’s a ventilation hole for the smoke. I don’t want you getting chilled.”
When she entered the tent, she realized it was a gas fire, which she supposed was good. At least it wouldn’t burn out or send sparks flying at them, popping their air mattress. She could feel the warmth of the fire. It was as heavenly as the entire setting.
“You really do know how to sweep a woman off her feet, don’t you?” she said as he led her over to the picnic area.
“I’ve never done anything like this for another woman,” he told her, the truth burning in his eyes.
“You better quit telling me stuff like that, or I might not let you go,” she said, only half joking.
“I might not want you to,” he said right back, making those butterflies in her stomach take flight. “I see you found my sweats. What happened with the stuff Stormy sent over?”
His innocent question set her cheeks to glowing. “She didn’t think I needed much more than lace and silk.”
His eyes rounded before a hungry growl rumbled from his throat. “Hmm. I might just have to insist on you changing.”
“Not going to happen,” she said before she sat down on the lounger with the cushions.
“A guy can wish, can’t he?” he said as he joined her, then immediately began placing items on a plate for her. It was all finger foods, which she loved.
“Did you do all of this?”
Handing her the plate, he shrugged. “I came up with it, but I have to admit that I hired it all out so I could wait at the hospital.”
“Have you been watching the Hallmark Channel?” She took another drink of wine, and he topped off her glass. She was feeling much warmer inside and out with the tasty drink. Her worries from the hospital were fading farther and farther away.
“What’s that?” he asked. It took a moment for her to remember her question.
“It’s a television station with romantic movies playing on it all the time. One of my favorites.”
“Well then, I will have to watch it, and see if these men on the shows come even close to being as suave as me,” he said with a wink.
“So far, I have to say they don’t compare.”
“I like knowing I’m in the lead,” he told her.
And the thing about it was, they really didn’t compare to him. Maverick was the type of man who got under a woman’s skin, and then he was there to stay. Even after their dates ended, he would remain lodged in her heart. Lindsey truly hoped she was able to remain friends with him because that seemed better than not having him at all.
“I left the dogs alone in the house, Mav. I completely forgot when I got down here. I don’t want anything to happen,” she said, suddenly worried about Princess and Benji.
“My housekeeper is up there keeping an eye on them. They won’t get into anything,” he assured her.
Her last worry put to rest, she closed her eyes for a moment and simply appreciated being on this private beach with Mav, the sound of the water gently splashing the shore, the stars shining bright, and the fire keeping them warm.
“Thanks for all of this, Mav. It’s exactly what I needed.”
“You can talk to me about what happened—today and when you were attacked. It might help you feel better,” he told her.
Lindsey’s throat closed as her mind spun. She wanted to share with him, but she was afraid to. She was afraid of opening wounds that were finally beginning to close again.
“I don’t think I can,” she whispered.
“When you are ready, I’m going to be here to listen,” he told her as he stood up and pulled her to her feet.
But he wouldn’t be there. That was part of the problem. In a week, maybe two, he was going to be gone again. Sure, she would see him, but it would be only once in a while.
He began rubbing her shoulder, and she immediately started turning into a puddle, ready to melt at his feet.
“I can’t think when you touch me like this, Mav,” she said, her breath starting to come out in pants.
He leaned his head on top of hers for a moment and she wished she could freeze-frame everything exactly how it was at this moment.
“Do you know what the best cure is for a hard day?” he asked seductively.
“I can imagine what it might be,” she said with a chuckle.
“So you’re willing to do anything I ask?”
Oh, how his voice was melting her. Even when she wanted to pull back from him, he made it impossible. He was bending her to his will, and she wasn’t even trying to fight it.
She murmured an incoherent reply. He turned her around and lightly brushed his lips across hers, then he deepened the kiss while he began stripping away their clothes. “I wasn’t going to do this,” she told him.
“Don’t worry, it only hurts for a minute.”
“Hurts? What?”
“Skinny-dipping.”
Her shriek as he lifted her up and ran for the water was the only sound that could be heard in the quiet of their perfect night.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Lindsey couldn’t breathe—literally—as freezing water engulfed her body. When she came up, her mouth gaping open, she was ready to kill Maverick. Before, she’d been so caught up in the romance, so caught up in feeling pity for herself and the warm fuzzy feelings she had for Mav, but now she was ready to inflict some torture on this man who liked to shock her. The problem was she couldn’t feel her body.
Finally, a blessed breath of air managed to get down her freezing cold throat.
“How in the world is this helpful?” she shuddered as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a big smile on his face.
“There’s something about a nighttime skinny-dipping session that frees the soul,” he told her as his hand roamed her back.
“I can’t feel my body, let alone my soul,” she said as she pressed closer, trying to find warmth.
“Just remember that things shrink in cold water,” he said as she sought him out.
“Mmm, doesn’t feel like anything is very small,” she murmured.
Her body was already warming up and apparently his was as well. He laughed before pressing against her, his thickness nice and hard and big for her.
“It seems even freezing water can’t inhibit me when I’m in y
our arms.”
“So I have power over you?” she said before shoving off him and diving into the water to swim away.
“Yes, you little minx, you do,” he said, as he began to give chase.
They played in the water for a few more minutes before she couldn’t take it anymore and she rushed out, running back to the fire and grabbing one of the warm robes he had waiting. She placed it around her freezing body. He threw his on before grabbing her.
“Why would you cover up this delicious body?” he said, lifting her off the ground and moving to the massive lounger, and more importantly, the nice thick blanket.
“Because you froze me.”
He set her on the cushions and got all the sand off her feet. Then he brushed off his own feet before the two of them dived beneath the blanket, where he immediately pulled her back into his arms.
“You are so unbelievably beautiful,” he whispered as his fingers cupped her face.
“You make me feel it,” she said, reaching for him, needing to feel his hot flesh beneath her fingertips. “And you’ve made my day so much better by doing this for me,” she admitted.
“Good. Because I don’t think I can say it enough. My entire purpose right now is to make you feel good.”
“I’d rather you just kissed me,” she murmured as she leaned her face closer to his.
He didn’t say another word, but instead pulled her lips the last inch to his. Her mind went blank as she kissed him with a passion she couldn’t inhibit. She’d tried to stay away from him and that had only caused misery. Now she just wanted his arms around her and his lips . . . everywhere.
And he more than complied. The dancing fire next to them and the blankets on top had quickly warmed her. His touch against her skin was scorching her. She regretted the robe now.
But he didn’t let the material get in his way. He untied the robe and then his magical fingers were moving up along her trembling stomach and up over her breast, pinching her hardened nipples.
