“Mav, you don’t have to buy me clothes.” I refused to take the plastic from him.
“What if I want to?”
* * *
We went store to store,and I reluctantly let Maverick buy me a bunch of outfits. It was adorable how excited he was, walking hand in hand with me, carrying all the bags. It wasn’t something I was used to. I had never had a guy want to take me shopping like that before.
“One more stop.” Maverick pulled me into a lingerie store. With a wink, he sat in the husband chair at the front of the shop. “Pick out some nice stuff.”
I popped around the store, grabbing the essentials off the racks and out of the drawers. I knew what Maverick meant, but shopping for sexy lingerie with him only paces away was a little uncomfortable, to say the least.
As I walked to the back of the store, a mannequin in a particularly sexy outfit caught my eye.
That would be a nice little surprise.
The longline bra had sheer lace, peekaboo details, and scalloped lace trim, and it was topped off with a matching high-waisted garter belt with satin bow accents and a matching thong panty. It was going to rock his damn world.
We hadn’t even seen each other naked yet. Our only sexual encounter was against the wall in the hotel, and even though we had been sleeping next to each other the last few nights, it just didn’t seem like the time to jump his bones. Maybe, though, it was just the distraction he needed, and why not start off with a showstopper?
The cashier wrapped my spoils in pink tissue and thanked me for my business. I couldn’t wait to surprise Mav with it all.
“All set?” he asked, taking the bag from me before holding the door open.
“This was a lot of fun.” I kissed him on the cheek as we headed for the exit.
“It’s the least I could do after everything you have done for us this week.”
“Honestly, I have enjoyed being able to get to know everyone.”
“It’s not the grand adventure I was hoping to take you on and the circumstances are shit, but I’m glad there is a little silver lining.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Just as we were about to leave, two teenage girls rushed Maverick.
“Oh my gosh! You’re Maverick Steele, aren’t you?” one of them screeched.
“I can’t fucking believe this,” the other one shouted as she started hyperventilating.
“That I am,” Maverick said, rubbing the back of his neck. How uncomfortable he had just become was palpable.
“Can we take a picture with you?” the first one asked as she dug her phone out of her purse.
“Here.” I reached for the cell. “I’ll take it for you.”
They stood on either side of him, squishing into his sides as they bounced and giggled. I thought it was adorable, and Maverick looked like he wanted to dive under a table and hide.
After snapping a few, I handed the phone back to the gushing fan.
“Thank you so much.” They both smiled sweetly at me.
“We just love The Hysterics so much.” The second girl could barely get out the words, nearly in tears.
“Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram.” Mav winked at them, trying his best to play the famous rock star. “It’s always nice to meet some fans.”
“Thanks again.” They waved goodbye as we made our way out of the mall.
“Sorry,” Maverick muttered once the door slammed behind us.
I stopped him, putting my hand on his cheek. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You should be proud of the fact that your band has come so far.”
He shrugged. “I’m just not used to it yet.”
“Well, I am proud of you.”
