“When I was a kid,” I began, walking back toward him to show off the one I’d found, “I tried to bring a seashell in the house after sneaking down to the lake to look for them. I’d read about them in a book, and I wanted to see one in real life.”
God, I sounded stupid. Hell, I probably looked stupid, showing off my little seashell like it was some sort of prize.
“I thought it was pretty.” I still did. There was just something about seashells that I loved. I had a jar of fake ones in my room, but nothing compared to the real ones. “My mother… she threw it out the window and made me clean up the kitchen floor with packing tape.”
“Tape?” Maverick frowned.
“To make sure I got all the grains of sand up,” I explained. From the deepening scowl on his face, I knew he didn’t understand. “I had to because what would people think if they came into our house and found sand on the hardwood?”
“That you live near the fucking beach,” he snapped.
“Yeah.” I gave him a sad smile, wishing it was just that simple. I craved that kind of simplicity.
“Are you going to keep it?” he asked.
I wanted to—wished I could.
“No.” As I turned to throw it back into the water, he scrambled off the ground. He grabbed my wrist as he planted himself between me and the lake. His other hand covered mine and curled around the seashell to keep me from tossing it. The contact had my skin on fire, sending a spark of sensation down my spine. My cheeks burned hot with a heavy flush. Everything about him was suddenly too close—his body, the heat of his hand, the solid presence of him as his body brushed against mine. My pulse stumbled over itself, loud and frantic in my ears.
“I’ll keep it for you,” Maverick told me. I searched his expression for some sign that he was fucking with me. That he wasn’t about to keep a seashell just for me. As if sensing my confusion, his hand tightened around mine, and he repeated, “I’ll keep it safe for you, princess.”
Something twisted painfully in my chest at the suggestion.
“You don’t have to,” I whispered.
“I want to,” he said. His nearness was intoxicating as his warm breath fanned over my face.
The world shrank around us. I was suddenly hyperaware of everything about him—the rough warmth of his fingers around my hand, the faint scent of wintermint on his breath, the way his gaze flicked down to my mouth. The intensity of his expression set my skin on fire, and I nodded, swallowing hard against the rise of emotion.
Reaching up, Maverick’s thumb brushed over my bottom lip, and my breath hitched in my throat. It felt like we were standing on the edge of something huge and terrifying and wonderful all at once. One wrong move could send my world toppling down around me, and somehow, I still wantedthatmore than I wanted the safety of the known.
Overcome with my need for him, I kissed him.
Or maybe he kissed me.
All I knew was the moment my lips touched his, I was gone, floating in a euphoric abyss where nothing but he and I existed. The way his mouth moved across mine was slow and meticulous. With purpose and intention, like he wasn’t in any kind of hurry. He spilled into every inch of my body in a cosmic shift of being that left me feeling complete.Was this what kissing was supposed to be like?
My heart galloped erratically as my body leaned into his, needing more of him. One kiss wasn’t enough, but it made me bold. It made me brave and shameless in my desire for him.
My hands drifted over his chest, and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. His fists gripped the sides of my shirt as he pulled me impossibly close, filling in every bit of empty space between us. It still didn’t feel like enough.
I needed him more than I needed air.
His tongue touched the seam of my lips in a silent question, and I opened to him eagerly. As his tongue stroked mine, I savored him. The slight smoky flavor of him was oddly delightful in a way it shouldn’t have been. It made my head spin and myknees weak. It sent me soaring and grounded me all at the same time.
When his teeth dragged over my bottom lip, I groaned, the sound loud and uninhibited. He broke the kiss with a breathless chuckle that made me smile and blush all at the same time.
“Sorry,” I let out, my ears burning hot with embarrassment. I’d never made such a sound in my life.
“Don’t be, princess,” Maverick said. His lips brushed against mine once. Twice. Three times. Each one was barely enough contact to be considered satisfying. “I’m going to enjoy seeing how you come apart for me.”
The words sent a nervous thrill through me, equal parts excitement and something I couldn’t quite name yet. I was so far out of my depth, but it didn’t matter. Whatever came next, it’d be okay because it was Maverick.
I managed a slight nod as I caught his mouth, needing to kiss him again and not caring what sounds I made as I did so.
CHAPTER 10
maverick
