Exhale.
Drawing us closer.
Until we breathe, move as one.
I whimper, body shaking. Pain and passion unite. I lean forward, hearts pressing together, lips tangling as I fly free, spasming and breaking.
He drives deep with a throaty cry, burying waves of warmth.
Afterward, I trace the circle tattoo on his chest, wrapped in tenderness. I’ve never felt so cherished—so seen. I almost don’t know how to hold it. Still, I can’t let go.
The bedroom is dark, like a lantern’s been extinguished. The world outside has slipped fully into night.
Maverick cradles me in his arms like nothing could tear me away.
And yet, it’s still there between us—the inevitable.
I rest my head on his chest, the loud thud of his heart against my ear. It could almost convince me there’s a way through this.
His hand comes up, cupping my cheek, his fingertips brushing the wet track of my tears. He tilts my face toward his, and that’s when I see his eyes are red, too. He wants me to see it.
He swallows hard. “This circle’s us now,” he says, like a promise—though uncertainty threads his voice.
I can’t speak. I only nod, nestling against him.
Chapter
Nineteen
MAVERICK
The world is still—shrouded in the night’s calm. The moment before things wake. Before the noise begins.
Mia’s buttery curls radiate from the pillow like the sun’s first rays on a winter morning. Her breath slow and steady, cheeks pink with sleep.
I shift carefully, trying not to wake her. I reach for my cellphone on the side table, knowing I’ll find messages I don’t want to read.
I clench my jaw, scrolling through Grayson’s texts.
Bring Mia back in. Everything’s changed.
“What is it?” the beauty next to me asks, groggy-voiced. Her face is peace and safety. Can’t take them from her yet.
“I’ll make coffee, breakfast.”
Her hand palms my chest, fingers tracing the circle that’s ours now.
“No matter what happens, right?” Her bottom lip trembles.
I press my hand over hers, feeling the weight on my heart. “No matter what.”
She inhales, steeling her expression. “Coffee, then, and breakfast. Sounds good.”
I grasp her hand, bring her fingertips to my mouth, and kiss them slowly. One at a time until the heat rises in her cheeks.
“You’re the only good I’ve found in this world, Mia. In a long, long time.”
She licks her lips, face etched in resolve. Rose and plum linger—a knowing that settles deep. Something I have to hold on to come what may.
