Chapter Four
~Violet~
I’m not sure if Mav’s brother stomping inside was the best thing or the worst. My body is definitely screaming that it was the worst ever, wanting to get our hands and lips back on the delicious man in front of me again and pronto. My mind isn’t too far behind, but it’s telling me to slow down a bit and get to know him a little more before we go too far.
Our emails to one another over the last two weeks were pretty lengthy, so I feel like I know him really well already, but there’s always something a little different about interacting with someone in person. That already feels true for Mav, but in the best way possible.
He mentioned people found him to be a bit gruff, but I like his straightforwardness. It’s refreshing and I like that I won’t have to guess with him as far as what he’s feeling or thinking. Mav is also way hotter than I thought he would be. He briefly talked about being in an accident and having scars, but if anything, the only add to how ruggedly handsome he is.
Plus the fact that he ran into a burning barn to save horses makes him swoon worthy. He’s basically a superhero in my eyes. Speaking of eyes, his are the most soulful brown I have ever seen. I could spend my days just staring up into them and hoping he tells me all his secrets.
“Oh,” the man I assume is one of his brother’s says as he comes further into the house. “I didn’t know you had a visitor. Makes sense now why you took off in such a hurry” He steps over to me and offers up a hand to shake. “I’m Wyatt. Mav’s younger, better looking brother.”
I shake his hand, trying not to roll my eyes at the man’s cockiness. He’s a good looking guy, but he’s got nothing on his brother. “While I’m sure the younger part might be true, the better looking part is up for debate.”
Mav barks a laugh, the sound low and gravely, like it’s rusty from disuse. “Wow, little flower. I’m liking you more and more with each passing minute,” Maverick says, slinging an arm over my shoulder. The weight of it settles something in me. It’s like I finally feel like I belong somewhere, and it’s here with this amazing man.
“No accounting for taste,” Wyatt says to me with a wink. “You two have fun. I’m going to get washed up for dinner.” He takes the stairs two at a time and I can’t help thinking I just passed some kind of test I didn’t even know I was taking.
The mention of dinner finally registers and I look up at Mav to apologize. “I’m so sorry I came without telling you, but when you mentioned wanting to meet, well…I was just so excited I got in my car this morning and drove over.”
The minute I got the message I called into work for the next week, packed a bag, and got in my car to make the seven hour drive over to Juniper Creek. The town is so adorable and I fell in love with it immediately, much like the man next to me.
Mav turns to look at me with a smile that lights up the whole room and my cheeks pull with the need to return it. “Don’t ever apologize for being excited to see me, little flower.” He pulls me in closer and kisses my temple, and I love hearing the nickname he’s given to me spoken in his low, sexy voice.
“I’m just sorry you had to make that long car ride all on your own,” he says, giving me a somewhat stern expression. “I would have flown you out, or gotten you myself. Promise me you’ll let me take care of that sort of thing next time.”
“It was no big…” I start, but Mav stops my words with a rough finger on my lips. I’m so tempted to peek my tongue out and lick it, but his eyes tell me he’s not in a playful mood at the moment.
“Your safety is always a big deal, especially to me,” he says, and my heart melts at the soft look in his eyes.
“Okay,” I mumble around his finger, causing him to chuckle as he drops his hand with a shake of his head.
“Sorry about that.” He looks around the room and I take a moment to catalog every feature I see on him. The sandy brown, wavy hair, the strong jaw with just enough stubble to scratch my hands against as I hold onto him, and that’s just his face.
Mav’s body is insane, no doubt formed by years of hard work. The muscles of his chest and arms strain against the tight shirtthat clings to his body, and his thighs are practically the size of tree trunks, rebelling against being held in the denim of his jeans. I wasn’t lying when I thought he might be disappointed with me. I am like a sack of pudding compared to this wall of man, but I’ll take him at his word. “Did you bring a bag?”
He looks down at me and smiles, no doubt catching my not so low-key perusal of his body. “Oh, um, yes I did. I left it in my car. I didn’t want to assume that I was staying.”
His brow furrows at that. “Well, you’re staying,” he says, grabbing my hand and dragging out to my tiny car to get my bag. As I retrieve the suitcase from the backseat, Mav walks around my car, frowning and shaking his head. As soon as I’m back to him, he snatches the suitcase out of one hand and grabs the other, pulling me back into the house. I take two steps for every one of his, but I manage to keep up as he heads up the porch, grumbling about me needing a new car and pronto.
Once we’re inside, I dig my heels into the wood floor, finally causing him to stop. “I’ll have you know that Henrietta has been very good to me over the years, so I won’t have you disparaging her in front of me.” While I do definitely need a new car, that one got me away from my toxic parents and has kept going against all odds, so I’m just a little defensive of her.
Mav turns and peeks over his shoulder with a raised brow. “Who is Henrietta?”
I huff, stifling a smile at the confused look on his face. It’s like staring at a lost puppy and any irritation I felt on behalf of my car is gone instantly. “My car, silly. She’s past her prime, but she’s done well for me, so you should speak about her with a little more respect.”
The corner of Mav’s mouth twitches, but he nods solemnly. “Of course,” he says, leaning out the door for a moment. “Apologies Miss Henrietta.” He turns back to me, a small smile on his face. “Better?”
“Uh huh,” I say, too enraptured in this amazing man and his gorgeous smile to really have much more of an answer than that.
“Good,” he says, leaning down and kissing the tip of my nose. “I know I mentioned that I could be a little rough around the edges, but I’ll try my hardest to be better for you.” The conviction in his eyes tells me it’s true, and I fall even more in love with Mav than I already am.
I smile coyly as I brush up against him. “Well, don’t try too hard. I like things rough sometimes,” I say, watching Mav’s eyes darken with desire.
He slowly blows out a breath, shaking his head slowly. “Damn, little flower. You are just one pleasant surprise after another.” He grabs my hand and leads me up the stairs to a small room right off the main hallway. “Here you are. It’s not much, and you’ll have to use the bathroom down the hall, but I’ll make sure you have anything you need.”
“Thanks,” I say with more enthusiasm than I feel. It’s a guest room, and while I didn’t expect that Mav and I would be sharing a bed, I still feel a little twinge of sadness. Looking over at him, I think he feels the same way as he taps his hand against the side of his thigh as we both stare at the bed. “Um, I should probably wash up before dinner. I’ll let you get settled.”
