Chapter 4
Waiting Sucks
Maverick
Sitting at Dane’s breakfast table across from Fallon, who was breastfeeding her daughter, Leilani, I did everything in my power to awkwardly stare at the coffee mug gripped in my hands.
“Don’t worry Mav, she’ll show up today. Just have a little faith.” Fallon offered a kind smile as she readjusted the nursing blanket that covered her suckling babe. Even though it was a very natural part of life and Fallon made sure she wasn’t outwardly bare-chested while doing it, I still felt a little uncomfortable.
Dane walked in, taking the newborn from his wife. “Fallon’s right and you know it.”
The faith they had in the situation gave me a little bit of hope, but I hadn’t heard from Cali since putting her in a cab the night before. Waiting was the worst part. It flat-out sucked.
“Whatever she decides to do, I will be all right with it. It’s her life and I know asking her to come on the road is no small thing.”
I wasn’t normally like this. I didn’t usually care about anyone except for my family and the band. Cali was different, though, and I hoped she felt it down in her bones like I did.
“I’m proud of you,” Fallon muttered as she freshened up the mug still clutched in my hands.
“For what?” I asked.
“For finally opening up your heart again. It’s been a long time coming. You deserve to be happy and with someone.”
Dane nodded in agreement, pointing over at his wife as he bounced Leilani in his arms, trying to burp her. “I totally agree with Fallon. Leilani wouldn’t want you to be alone forever, she’d want you to move on and be happy. The brooding musician is all too cliché, and it’s about time you moved out of that category.”
Right then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
Cali: Can we talk? I’m at the Marriott on N Michigan Ave, room 213.
Me: I’m on my way.
Shoving up from the table, I glanced back and forth between Dane and Fallon. “I guess I’ll get some answers sooner rather than later.”
Fallon got up to hug me. “I’m rooting for this.”
“Thanks, sweetheart,” I mumbled into the top of her head. Fallon had turned into a sister over the years and had restored a tiny bit of hope in me. Watching her and Dane struggle and truly find each other in the darkness of their lives was something I would never forget.
“We’re here for you either way. See you at four.” Dane walked me to the front door.
* * *
My stomach tightenedinto knots as I knocked on Cali’s hotel room door. It only took seconds for her to open it, but it felt like years.
“Maverick,” she whispered as she grabbed my hand to lead me into the small room.
My body went into autopilot as I scooped her into my arms, crushing my lips to hers. I needed her to feel everything I was feeling. There were no words that could describe what she did to me, how she made me feel. Actions were going to have to prove it all to her.
Lacing my fingers through her long blonde locks, I pushed her against the wall next to us, hunger consuming me as I let my tongue explore her.
Breathing into me, a soft moan escaped her lips as our mouths briefly parted. It was my green light. Gripping her sides, I took note of the thin black fabric that hugged her subtle curves perfectly. I couldn’t let her change her mind. Shoving up the flowy skirt of her black dress, I yanked down her lace panties and let my pants fall to the floor.
“Say the word and I will stop,” I said quietly.
Digging her nails into the back of my neck, Cali’s Cupid’s bow danced over mine. “This is better than talking.”
Shoving into her wetness, every vein in my body buzzed with exhilaration. It had been longer than I could remember since I had felt that way with a woman. Stupid, fleeting one-night stands stained my mind, Band-Aids who’d temporarily numbed the deep wounds of my heart. In that moment, they all washed away.
Cali’s head rolled back as she gasped with passion. Sinking my teeth into the nape of her neck, I let myself get lost in her—the way her body shook from my touch, the way her lips parted, the way her eyes slammed shut, the way my name rolled off her lips and whisked through the air.
