Taming A Maverick (The Sterling Shore Series #11)

by C. M. Owens

  Motherfucking liars. All of them.

  I go home, more annoyed with myself than anything else. Looks like I’ll be buying more pointless roses and making another tampon run.

  I’ll skip the Midol this time. That probably didn’t score me any bonus points.

  Stupid fucking Gollum.

  As soon as I’m out of my suit, I drop to my bed and put my arm over my head, wondering when exactly I got this fucking dumb? I blame her. I never got blinded by jealousy and made an irredeemable ass of myself before her.

  Her and the stupid fucking way she draws me in. The way she has invaded my world. The way she takes me in stride and laughs with me. The way she gives me hell whenever she can.

  And the way she looks like she could set me on fire when she’s really pissed.

  I blame her for the reason my bed sucks without her.

  Pie moment. (I blame her for that too.)

  Chapter 29

  SALEM

  I’m jarred awake when two arms come around my waist, and I deny the smile that tries to form.

  “I shouldn’t have grabbed your vagina. It was the single stupidest thing I’ve done in my entire life, and I have zero clue why I even tried to defend it,” comes the soft voice near my ear, his breath fanning my shoulder as I continue to fight the grin and burrow back into him.

  “You’re really lucky I can’t sleep for shit without you anymore,” I say on a putout sigh, even though my smile slips free.

  I feel him smiling against my shoulder as he kisses it, our bodies lined up like two interlocked spoons.

  “I am really damn lucky. And I’m sorry.”

  I pat his hand that’s on my stomach. “That was hard to say, wasn’t it?”

  “You have no idea. I think it’s the most fucked up, ridiculous apology I’ve ever given in my life. And that says soooo much.”

  Unable to stop myself, I start laughing, and he tugs me over to my back as I continue to shake from my laughter. Grinning, he leans down, shutting me up with a kiss that weirdly turns this second in time into another moment.

  Didn’t see that coming.

  Chapter 30

  SALEM

  I’m wringing my hands as nerves take me over. Maverick was stuck in traffic on his way back from the gym after a nasty wreck that jammed up most of the city. He was supposed to come to the house, change, and we were going to arrive together.

  But he’s still not here. Because he’s still stuck in traffic, coming directly to here now.

  Rain is beside me, along with a lot of the other girls who were able to get here without going through the middle of town. Not everyone from Maverick’s group could make it, but I’m shocked at the turnout.

  Sean is up next, and Maverick has been working with him almost daily this past week to make sure his routine is solid. Sean would never admit it, but he’d be devastated if Maverick missed it.

  My eyes scan the crowd as a girl and her mother/dance-partner near the end of their duet performance, bringing Sean’s debut even closer. My eyes scan the crowd, spotting my mother and Ian near the front. I’m two rows behind them.

  Still no—

  “Did I miss it?” Maverick asks, breathing heavily as Dane heaves for air behind him, along with Corbin right on their heels. They’re all still dressed for the gym; a stark contrast to the fancily dressed patrons surrounding us.

  His ball cap is facing forward, likely covering his messy hair, since it looks like he literally ran from somewhere.

  Personally? I wouldn’t care if Maverick was wearing a pair of chaps and a bra right now. As long as he’s here.

  Dane shuffles by me, taking the seat right next to me when Rain scoots over for him. Kode and Tria are already down there somewhere. Corbin sits with Ruby just behind me in the seat she’s been saving for him.

  “He’s up next. Why are you so out of breath?” I whisper, trying not to disturb everyone watching the show.

  He grins. “We left the car with Dale and ran the entire way. Traffic is so messed up that it could take hours to unjam everyone. Worst shit I’ve ever seen. I’m guessing someone probably stopped for a funeral procession.”

  “You ran all the way across town?” I ask in disbelief, ignoring that little barb on the end and focusing on the important part.

  “Nonstop. Dane said next time he was volunteering to stay with the car.”

  I glance over to see Dane leaning forward in his chair, breathing heavily.

  “He doesn’t go to the gym as much,” Corbin leans up to loudly whisper from behind me. “Depends too much on his naturally good genes.”

  I try not to laugh, relieved beyond words that Maverick is here, while Dane shoves at Corbin’s face, pushing him back.

  Maverick doesn’t care when people glance over and eye his T-shirt and athletic pants. He simply puts his arm around the back of my chair as the act finishes up.

  I bounce in my seat a little when Sean steps out, dressed in his track pants and new tennis shoes. His tight tank makes him look so tiny, which I’d never say to him, since he’d be mortified.

  He twists his hat on backwards, and gets in position. I’m quite literally on the edge of my seat when they blast La La.

  A few surprised chuckles escape the crowd, and Sean…freezes. His eyes go wide, and he just stares at me, eyes locked like he can’t look away.

  “Oh no,” I say under my breath, freezing right along with him.

  Another few laughs are smothered when he trips, trying to get started, and he just freezes again.

  “Shit,” Corbin says from behind us, probably feeling bad for my poor baby brother. “Do something, Mav.”

  Maverick stands abruptly, tossing his hat into my lap. I look down then back up as that song screeches to a halt. I start to ask what he’s doing, when he pulls his loose T-shirt off, tossing it down to my lap.

  Holy sexy man.

  That’s…um… why is he stripping?

  “What are you doing?” I hiss.

  “That shirt will drive me crazy,” he says, retrieving his hat from me, and putting it on backwards as he jogs down and hops up on the stage with one jump.

  Needless to say, several gasps and dreamy sighs sound out as a shirtless Maverick Sterling crosses the stage.

  He walks over to Sean, saying something in his ear, and Sean nods with wide, grateful eyes. Then Maverick says something to another guy behind the music booth, who nods.

  You want to know what can make a saint tempted to sin? Maverick Sterling in a pair of athletic pants that hang low on his hips, showing the top band of his underwear and that perfect V that draws the eye in. Along with lickable, defined abs that show up just enough. A chest sprinkled with tattoos that you can’t help but touch if you get too close. And arm porn. Lots of hot arm porn highlighted with a STERLING tattoo.

  His hat is on backwards, showing only snippets of his dark hair, and his smile is that of temptation itself.

  Feel free to swoon. I won’t get too jealous.

  As Maverick comes up beside Sean, the music starts over, and…Maverick Sterling saves the day.

  By dancing with Sean.

  To a girl song that no guy should be able to own so well.

  And making it look like it was planned all along.

  Sean grins as Maverick and he keep perfect time, even with the trick moves. Maverick sometimes mirrors Sean instead of duplicating, giving the illusion of a new reflection.

  When Sean flips forward, Maverick does a backflip.

  “Showoff,” Dane mutters with a smile, even as I grin so wide it almost hurts.

  I think panties are combusting for miles away, because Maverick Sterling can move his body in ways that should be illegal, even though none of it is meant to be sexual. He just is sexual.

  My brother feeds off the confidence that is radiating from Maverick. It makes Sean’s dancing so much stronger, and there’s zero hesitation in his steps.

  They do a couple of slow motion moves that have people screaming like groupies.
I admit, it’s badass.

  Maverick looks over as he and Sean work their way up to the big finish.

  Two side-by-side side aerials and one head-spin later, they finish in some really hard-to-hold pose on their hands, with their legs straight out and horizontal from their bodies.

  On the last beat before the fadeout, they jump to their feet and end on a very undignified hip thrust that has me laughing to myself.

  Everyone is up on their feet, applauding, whistling, cheering.

  Sean’s smile couldn’t be bigger right now.

  “Now that was hot,” Ruby says, then grunts a laugh when Corbin says or does something.

  I don’t know what they’re doing to be honest. I’m too busy staring at Maverick as he trots back to me, leaving Sean to finish taking the bows on his own.

  The second he reaches me, my hand goes to the back of his neck, and I pull him down, feeling his smile when I kiss him. His arms go around me, pulling me close, kissing me back.

  I only break the kiss to look around the room. Sean is off stage, and there are five more acts to go before they bring them back for a final bow.

  “Come on,” I tell Maverick.

  His grin grows as he follows me, then takes over leading the way when he realizes I don’t know my way around this massive theatre-like building the dance school rented for the occasion.

  Maverick pulls me into a massive stock room full of props from plays and such, and his lips come down on mine, kissing me just as hungrily as I’m kissing him.

  He lets me climb up him, even helps me wrap my legs around his waist as he starts carrying me toward a short practice stage in the back. It’s the perfect height when he sets me down on the stage, keeping all our best parts lined up as he continues to kiss me stupid.

  “Now would be a time I want more. Like a lot more,” I murmur against his lips, causing him to go still.

  He pulls back, eyes searching mine.

  “Here? Now?” he asks, a smile slowly turning up on his lips.

  “I just had to watch you dance without a shirt on, so yes. Here. Now.” I don’t mention that I’m mostly in love with the fact he just saved my brother from utter humiliation. That would cheapen this moment for him, because he doesn’t want me like that.

  His grin grows as his eyebrows bounce teasingly, then his lips are back on mine with renewed hunger and excitement.

  He shoves my skirt up on my hips as I kiss him harder, but he tugs me back, forcing my lips away from his. I’m not sure what’s going on until he puts a hand to my chest, gently pushing me back.

  “My skills on this aren’t exactly that great. Not something I did too often in the past for obvious reasons, but something I’ve wanted to do to you for a while,” he says, brushing his lips over mine as I try to figure out what he’s saying.

  He kisses his way down my neck as his hands work my underwear down my legs. I kick out of them, but my breath leaves in a rush when he suddenly pulls back and his head disappears between my thighs.

  I moan when his mouth fastens around the spot I want him most, and I shove his hat off so I can grab handfuls of that soft hair I love so much. He makes a noise of approval, and the vibrations just drive the sensations that much higher.

  Because I’ve been teased for over a month now, I’m not even embarrassed by how quickly I come. Or that I almost jerk his hair out. Or that I might call him a tongue wizard.

  That last one is probably the reason he’s laughing a little against my vagina. Odd sensation.

  He kisses his way back up, his lips finding mine when I sit up again. Then he groans into my mouth like he’s frustrated. He breaks off the kiss, his forehead pressing against mine.

  “As much as I’ve wanted this moment, I’m in my gym clothes, had to run six miles to get here, so I’m completely unprepared.”

  I swallow down the knot in my throat as I slide my hands down the front of his pants, and he tightens a hand in my hair, his whole body shuddering once, when I stroke the warm, firm flesh in my hand.

  “I’m on birth control, and we’re both clean. We’ve had this conversation,” I say on a shaky breath.

  He goes a little still against me, eyes widening fractionally. We had that conversation as responsible adults. Not as a means of taking this to the next level.

  Gingerly, like he might break me, he cups the side of my face, slowly kissing me again. I work his pants down around his hips, freeing him completely as I draw him closer.

  Reaching his hand between us, he lines up with me, and with an agonizingly slow pace, he slides inside me, exhaling harshly like he’s savoring every moment. His breath catches when he’s completely inside of me, and he just holds himself there for long minutes as he kisses me again, tasting my mouth like it’s the first time.

  When he finally decides to start moving, I moan into his mouth, arching into him as he drives in and out of me, his speed gradually increasing.

  His thumb slides over my clit, and with the perfect pressure, he sends me over the edge again, swallowing my sounds as I shudder against him. Apparently it sends him over the edge too, because he grunts, breaking the kiss, and buries his face against my neck as his body goes still.

  Feeling a little too sated and limp, I grin over his shoulder at the dimly lit room.

  “That was an incredible warmup,” I say, grinning when his body starts shaking with soft laughter.

  He leans back, his eyes finding mine. I love the way he’s looking at me right now. It’s completely different from the last time we were this intimately together. His touch is reverent, almost careful, as though he’s terrified of losing this moment for himself this time.

  Finally, after just simply staring into each other’s eyes, I realize I sort of need to clean up, and apparently he thinks about it too, so he pulls back. When he scoops my underwear from the floor and hands them to me, I shake my head and put them in my purse.

  “First time bareback was inside a store closet on a practice stage made for puppets or something,” he says, grinning as he grabs his hat, dusts it off, and puts it back on backwards.

  My eyes widen as I groan. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  He laughs quietly as I make sure my skirt covers everything. “Please don’t be fucking sorry. I’m considering buying this place and turning it into a shrine.”

  I’m the one to start laughing this time as I walk back toward the door. His fingers lace with mine, but he bumps into one of the racks.

  Reflexively, he catches a costume whip when it falls, dropping my hand in the process. But just ahead of us, another prop falls, landing directly in front of us.

  Stepping over it and across from Maverick, I barely contain the laughter when I see it’s one of those pony heads on a stick that the kids play with to pretend they’re riding a horse.

  And Maverick is standing over it with a whip.

  Still shirtless.

  He looks at the whip in his hand then at the pony prop on the floor, and glares at me when I finally start laughing.

  “Should I leave you two alone for the main event, Pony Boy?” I muse, and then squeal when he drops the whip and lunges for me.

  Just as I scramble out the door, his front collides against my back, and his arms come around me as he playfully bites on my shoulder. My mother can’t even sour this moment as she walks by us, water in hand, and sighs while shaking her head in disdain.

  This is my moment, and she can’t have it.

  Maverick mutters something about fucking Twitter and damn phone cons and pony play, causing me to laugh again as I break away from him and go to the bathroom to clean up. He’s still waiting outside the bathroom when I rejoin him.

  He pushes off from the wall, sexy grin on his face, and he tosses his arm around my shoulders as he steers me back in. Dane glances up from his chair, rolling his eyes with a smile on his face when he sees us. He grabs the abandoned shirt from my seat and tosses it to Maverick.

  Maverick winks at me before tugging it on, covering up
that glorious body. I’m not the only one disappointed.

  This is just a showcase and not a competition, so there aren’t any scores or anything, but all the kids walk out, taking a bow at the end. Our section cheers the loudest when Sean steps up to take his solo bow.

  Mom glances over, but I don’t pay her any attention. I’m too busy whistling and whooping, doing all I can to embarrass the hell out of my little brother. Even though he secretly loves it as much as he hates it.

  That little grin he’s fighting says as much.

  And this is that moment where pie becomes a celebratory dish.

  Chapter 31

  MAVERICK

  The weeks seem to blur by, and seeing Salem becomes as necessary as eating or drinking. Fortunately for me, she seems to be just as addicted, so she doesn’t care that I show up to take her out for lunch every day. Or that I’ve started driving her to and from work, because I’m terrified she’s going to die if she keeps driving.

  She also doesn’t care that I’ve essentially started keeping clothes and hygiene essentials there instead of packing a bag. In fact, she even bought some stuff for me to use there.

  She doesn’t care that I bought her just as many supplies to have at my house, so that we can go to and from without needing something. She stays with me when Sean is with his mom. I stay with her the rest of the time.

  Because this is real.

  I can’t even joke my way out of how serious this has gotten.

  “Is there such a thing as a three month anniversary?” I ask Corbin and Jax as I finish grabbing my bag from the gym floor and toss it over my shoulder.

  My hair’s still wet from the shower when we walk outside.

  “Yeah, back in eighth grade,” Jax says with a taunting grin.

  I glare over at him, and Corbin adds, “He has a point. No three month anniversary, dude.”

  “Where the hell have you been while the world has been evolving?” Jax asks around a laugh.

  Why do I bother asking questions?

  “It’s because he’s never actually had a three month anniversary,” Corbin says with a fucking shithead grin.