“Oh, you didn’t,” I reply breezily, even though I feel anything but. “It’s fine. You were just being kind. Thanks for that, by the way.”
His blue eyes bore into me, and I fight not to squirm under the scrutiny.
“Yeah. No problem.”
It feels like time stands still as I wait to see if he’ll say anything more. But he doesn’t, turning instead to his meal. We eat in silence. In fact, the next hour passes in silence. But it’s charged, somehow. I want so badly to just blurt out the wordsI like you, I wish this wasn’t fake.But I’m terrified.
When the knock on the door comes, it’s a relief. Maverick opens it with a frown. “Why didn’t you use your key?” he asks as Colin comes into the room.
“Because it’s not just you here, asshole.” He gives me a nod. “Hey Sadie, how’s it going?”
“Fine,” I manage to squeak out. I stand, my hands clasped in front of me. “Can I get you something? Tea, beer, water?”
Maverick looks at me strangely. “He can get his own drink, Specs.”
My face flushes red again. “I know. I was just being polite.”
“Yeah. Polite. It’s a novel concept for you, isn’t it?” Colin shoves Maverick gently, in his good shoulder, at least. “Thanks,Sadie, I’m good. Let’s get down to business. We need to make sure everything’s good for the fundraiser next week.”
“Right,” I say, the word sounding hollow. How has the time passed by so quickly?
“Oh, but I wanted to say, good work on that dinner with the guys from Velocity. They loved meeting Sadie, and I got an email today that they’re sending some sort of package for you.” Colin gives me a wry smile. “If you need representation, you know how to find me.”
“Oh my God,” I murmur. “I swear, I didn’t mean to hijack the conversation or anything, I don’t know why they’re sending anything.”
“Because they think making you happy is the key to keeping Mav happy.” The no-nonsense way in which he says it, and the complete lack of reaction from Maverick, makes Colin’s statement land flat for me.
“It means this is working. Everyone is buying into the idea of Maverick settling down now that he’s with you, and if we can continue to avoid drama, we can secure that contract you want, Mav.” He gives his brother a meaningful look. “Which means not letting Eli suck you into anything.”
Maverick’s gaze darts to me, then back to Colin before hardening. “Got it.”
I want to ask who Eli is, but Maverick’s body language couldn’t be any more clear in saying “don’t go there” so I don’t. I bite my tongue again and add Eli to the long list of things I don’t know about the man I’m living with.
The conversation shifts to the fundraiser itself, with Colin wanting to make sure it’s clear what I’ll have to do that night,and how we can maximize exposure of Maverick playing the doting boyfriend.
Eventually, Colin leaves, and I curl up in the corner of the couch, petting Cat, who comes to sit beside me.
“I’ll be back in a bit.”
I lift my head to see Maverick opening the door, but he’s gone before I can ask where he’s going. Not that it’s any of my business, I know. My head drops back down to the couch, and I let my eyes close, listening to the sound of Cat’s loud purr.
The next thing I know, strong arms are lifting me from the sofa. “Wh-what?” I say sleepily, trying to get my bearings.
“Shh. Go back to sleep.” The deep rumble of Maverick’s voice washes over me, and I feel my body relax. I’m barely conscious when he lays me down on the bed, covering me with a blanket. Then soft lips graze my forehead, and gentle fingers stroke through my hair.
I must be dreaming. That’s the only thing that makes sense, and the only explanation for why I reach for those fingers, pulling on them, mumblingstay.
It’s a good dream. In it, he crawls into the bed beside me, gathers me in his arms, and holds me close. And I sleep deeper than I have in weeks.
But when I slowly blink my eyes open the next morning, feeling more rested than I have in a long time, there’s an indent in the pillow beside me. And the ghost of his arms around my waist still lingers. Leaving me wondering exactly how much of it was a dream…
Chapter twenty
Maverick
I shouldn’t have done that.That’s all I can think as I pound out the miles on the treadmill at the stadium.
When I woke up, it was still dark out. And I was wrapped around Sadie’s warm, luscious body, touching every part of her I could. She was holding my hand tightly to her chest, and I could feel the soft exhale of her breath on my skin.
