“You never know.”
“You know what? I’m okay with that. For now. I need a little time for myself and to learn how to live again. Who knows. Maybe I’ll take up writing, become an author. I might even rival a guy I know.”
“A guy, huh? Who is this guy? I already hate him.”
“Oh,” she purred while rubbing her fingers across my shirt. When she curled the material in her fingers, I drank in her perfume. “He’s very handsome. A little rough around the edges, but brilliant if you ask me. I find myself falling madly for him.”
“You are, huh?”
“Yes. I am. Although I need to take it a little slow right now until I’m sure about myself.”
I rolled my hand down her hair, marveling in the silky feel. “Lady. Take all the time you want. I’m not going anywhere.”
With my lips hovered over hers, I waited for a few seconds, maybe to give her a chance to back away. Yet she leaned further in, offering her permission.
I captured her mouth, enjoying the incredible sensations and the sense of relief by having her safely in my arms. Yet the moment took on a life of its own, passion roaring between us. The kissbecame rougher, my needs more intense and the way she melted in my arms was everything I’d ever desired.
When I finally pulled our lips free, we both took gasping breaths, laughing when we heard four pairs of hands clapping.
Her smile was wide and she threw them a look. “Be careful, boys. You might need to put your missions on hold.”
“Yeah, you’re right,” I added.
“For how long?” Chase asked, the twinkle in his eyes unsettling.
She shrugged, eyeing me carefully. So I answered for the both of us.
“Maybe for the rest of our lives.”
EPILOGUE
Five months later…
Alexia
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. I’m thrilled to announce that Maverick Callahan’s latest book,Lies Soon Forgottenhas already hit theNew York Timesbestseller list as number one!”
“Don’t let it go to your head,” I whispered after his agent Carter made the announcement.
“You think so little of me,” Maverick said, daring to nuzzle into my neck to try to distract me before taking a short bow. “Thank you to everyone. You didn’t need to throw me a party.”
“First of all, it’s your house. Second, your hardnose attorney all but demanded it, buddy,” Carter said, pulling back when he noticed me. I couldn’t help but blow him a kiss.
“Who, me?” I batted my eyelashes for fun. “I think your number one client deserves a little TLC. Don’t you?”
Maverick was biting his lip to keep from laughing.
Since the ruse in altering the contract, he’d been a little leery of getting too close. For even more fun, I made the mime for him to call me, exaggerating the silent words with my lips.
“Yes. You’re right, Ms. Martino,” Carter said. “Anything for my number one client. I see someone from theNew York Times. I should go talk to him.”
As he walked away, grumbling as he did, I couldn’t hold back my laughter.
“You are such a bad girl,” Maverick growled, yanking me even closer.
“Don’t you forget it either.” I laughed and grabbed a glass of champagne from the passing waiter.
Life could change on a dime.
