"You graduated top of our class with more than enough money to go to that fancy private school?—"
"I won't deny that some of us have more advantages than others, but that doesn't mean that everything was great."I remembered his family being there for him and his siblings at every school event.I bet they didn't make excuses about having to work or insisting that something else was more important.My family had money, but I didn't have my parents' love and attention.Maybe we didn't hang out long enough for him to get to know me.
I was intrigued by his broody bad-boy teenager persona.He got into trouble and seemingly hadn't worried about the consequences.Maybe he knew his parents would love him no matter what.I didn't have that luxury.I had to be perfect to get any kind of reaction out of them, but their approval seemed to be elusive.
Majoring in English was perfectly acceptable, but opening a bookstore was not.Thankfully, my grandmother's trust didn't have any restrictions on how I could use the money I'd inherited.
Maverick shook his head."You seem to have gotten everything you've ever wanted—a fancy degree, a bookshop on the corner?—"
I rounded on him."And you haven't gotten what you wanted?A successful business and now a major collaboration with your brothers?"
His face was pinched."It's not the same."
"You don't need a degree to have a successful business, and you're well on your way, if not already there."
He grunted again, and I wanted to scream in frustration."Now I remember why you used to drive me crazy.You always had a chip on your shoulder.Everyone else had it better than you."I folded my arms over my chest."Did you ever think the problem was you?"
He pushed off the wall, striding toward me."You want to find a new contractor?"
I resisted stepping back, even though his proximity forced me to look up to keep his gaze."You know you're the best, and Eve already signed the contract."
His muscles tensed."Are you going to make my life difficult?"
I tipped my head to the side."And how would I do that?"
"By being a pain in my ass," he muttered.
Electricity crackled between us, stronger and more potent than when we were kids.I thought it had been first love or something like that.But I never felt anything like it with anyone else.Finally, I said, "You do your job, and I'll do mine."
He raised a brow."You won't get in my way?"
For some reason, I wanted to be a problem for him.I wanted to drive him as crazy as he drove me.
"And when the work is done, we won't have to see each other anymore."
I narrowed my gaze."I don't have any problems working with you."
He stepped so close I could feel the body heat emanating off him."Are you sure about that?"
My breath caught, because now that he was this close, all I could think about was kissing him.I wanted to chase that reckless feeling I got whenever I was with him.
The door opened."Belle?Someone's asking for you."
"I'll be right there."I stepped back and out of Maverick's vortex.He'd always been prickly.When I was a teen, it was what drew me in.But I was older and smarter now.I deserved someone who treated me with respect, who showed up when he said he would.Not someone who infuriated me.
No matter how attracted I was to him, I wouldn't fall for him again.Even though my body was humming with desire and was overheated despite the chill in the air.
He inclined his head toward the shop."You'd better get back to your party."
I turned my back on him and headed toward the door.I paused with my hand on the door handle."If I'm so spoiled, why aren't my parents here celebrating my big day?Shouldn't they want to see what their money paid for?"
He cleared his throat."I didn't know your parents aren't here."
"That's because you don't know me at all."I opened the door and walked inside, pleased that I'd had the last word.But at the same time, I felt vulnerable.I'd told him something I never shared with anyone.Our family appeared normal to everyone else, but behind closed doors?We were anything but.
I'd been able to create distance from them but only because I had the trust fund from my grandmother.Maybe she knew I'd need it to establish my independence.I appreciated the support, but I missed her.I felt more alone than ever.I didn't have any siblings, and the friends I'd made in high school weren't the sort that stuck by me.
But one thing was certain; I didn't need Maverick.
