And just like that, all the bad things disappeared, her mind refreshingly clear.
“You’re deep in thought,” Maverick said, first to break the silence.
She shook her head. “Not really. I don’t know how to explain it, but when I’m with you, all the bad stuff that plays on repeat in my head sort of goes quiet.”
Maverick tightened his grip on her. “I like that. Like being able to do that for you.”
She twisted, looking over her shoulder at him. “It’s always been like that. I’m a bundle of stress and frustration, but with you, I just feel…happy.”
“You do the same for me.”
Ella wasn’t sure she believed that, and her thoughts must have been obvious.
“I mean it, Ella. For a lot of years, I fooled myself into believing I was happy, that I was living my best life. I shared a house with my brothers, worked my dream job, and when I needed to blow off some steam, I went to Whiskey Abbey, had a beer, danced with a girl, and?—”
“You can just finish that sentence with dot dot dot,” she said, cutting him off before he could say the rest.
Maverick chuckled. “Fine. Dot dot dot. Does that bother you? I mean, I wasn’t exactly a saint in the years since you’ve been gone. I wish I could tell you I didn’t date—and sometimes sleep with—more than my fair share of women, but I can’t. The reputation might have been exaggerated, but it was also earned.”
Ella considered his question, then shrugged. “I’ll be honest. Before you, I didn’t consider myself a jealous person. It helps knowing you didn’t sleep with Roni because truthfully, that would have bothered me a lot.”
“You have no reason for jealousy because I swear there isn’t a single woman on the planet who could hold a candle to you. It wasn’t until Levi got married this spring that the blinders fell away, and I realized my so-called perfect life was one big farce. The truth was, I’d been lonely, going through the motions, pretending everything was fine. I watched my big brother dancing with the love of his life at the reception, and all I could think about was how much I wished it was me and you on that dance floor.”
Ella frowned. “You really thought of me? Even after fifteen years?” she asked, still struggling to believe. Though she didn’t know why. God knew, it had only been Maverick for her since she was seventeen years old.
“I never moved on, Firefly. I’m not going to lie. I tried. But there’s this legend about my family…”
Ella pulled out of Maverick’s arms, turning completely around until she was facing him. “Edith told me about it. She said you Storms all believe in love at first touch. That you touch someone and know they’re meant to be yours.”
“I knew it that day in the hallway, when Jeff knocked those books out of your arms. I picked them up and gave them back to you. Your hand brushed mine…and Jesus, it was like I’d been struck by lightning. I’ve never felt anything like that with anyone else. And then, at the carnival, we touched again, and I swear the entire planet shook. I’ve loved you since day one. I will always love you. It might sound silly or like a line, but?—”
“It doesn’t,” she reassured him. “Because I felt the same thing. I love you too, Maverick. I never stopped. I couldn’t if I tried.”
“So my reputation?” he asked.
“Is in the past,” she whispered. “It’s all in the past now.”
She leaned toward him and they kissed. This one was less passion but a hell of a lot more promise. Maverick cupped her face in his large hands and kissed her like she was his most precious possession.
Ella shifted to her knees, crawling over Maverick’s lap, straddling his thighs. He was ready for her, his cock fisted in his hand as he guided it inside her.
Ella lowered herself slowly, both of them gasping when he was seated to the hilt. Maverick was extremely well-endowed, and while she felt stretched and oh-so full, there was no pain. Only the sense that this man—this perfect, wonderful man—was made just for her.
Maverick gripped her hips, lifting her, adding his strength to her movements, the two of them working together as she roseand fell. He reached between them, rubbing her clit with his thumb, the sensations driving her wild.
She started riding him faster, her nails scratching the skin of his shoulders as she fought hard not to come too quickly. Her attempts were for naught, because Maverick had done a ton of research about Ella and her hot buttons that summer fifteen years earlier, and apparently the man had one hell of a memory.
Within minutes, he’d pushed her to the edge of the cliff and Ella was helpless to stop herself from leaping. She threw her head back, crying out his name as she came, and she was shocked to discover Maverick was right there with her.
As the last sensations faded, she leaned forward, resting her forehead against his shoulder as she gasped for breath. Maverick stroked her bare back with soft hands, placing kisses on the top of her head.
“I’ve never had sex without a condom,” he admitted. “Between how good it feels and how much I wish I could get you pregnant right now, it’s wreaking havoc on my staying power.”
Ella lifted her head. “You want to have a baby with me?”
He gave her the ultimate “duh” look. “Those two extra bedrooms aren’t going to fill themselves, Firefly,” he joked.
Ella giggled. “I feel like I should tell you to slow down, but the truth is, I like going fast with you.”
