“Sadie,” Maverick starts to say, but I give my head a tiny shake.
“Later. Dirk.”
His eyes widen at my whisper, then lift to look behind me. I can tell the moment he sees my ex. His hold on me tightens as he draws me into his arms. From the outside, it probably looks like a simple hug. But his head dips down, and then his lips are on my neck before traveling up to my ear, leaving goosebumps in their wake.
“Leave this to me, Specs.”
“Sadie?” Dirk’s arrogant tone has me clenching my jaw as we turn slightly to see him approaching, with none other than his paralegal, Gina, on his arm. Or as I like to call her, the woman I walked in on him in bed with. As I look at her, wearing a bright red bodycon dress that I could never, and would never, wear, I don’t feel the pang of embarrassment, of self-criticism, that I expected. There is no automatic comparison of myself to her, only a detached sense of pity that she’s now stuck with a man like Dirk.
“Derek. Didn’t realize we’d be seeing you here,” Maverick says calmly. Wait. He knows what Dirk’s name is…doesn’t he?
“It’s Dirk. And Maverick fucking King. Gotta say, this is a surprise.” Dirk sticks out his hand, completely ignoring me.
But Maverick ignores his hand in return. “Why would it be a surprise? I’m pretty sure everyone in the city knows I’m the luckiest bastard around to be dating this amazing woman.” Maverick’s voice is hard, but his words still manage to worm their way inside of me, sparking something warm deep within.
Dirk’s eyes narrow, then widen, and it’s almost comical to see him trying to make sense of the situation. Then Maverick’s hand is on my chin, tipping my face up so he can press a gentlekiss to my lips.
“Specs, how about we go and get you a glass of champagne to celebrate tonight. I’m sure Darren and his date have other people they’d like to see.”
Dirk’s blustering is audible as Maverick propels me away from them. As soon as we’re far enough away, I let loose the giggle I’ve been fighting down. “Oh my God, that was incredible. How was that so effective at pissing him off?”
I’m treated to one of Maverick’s rare smiles. “Because men like that asshole think they’re the center of the universe and everyone should revolve around them. It throws them wildly off course when they encounter someone unwilling to give them that.”
I hug his arm a little tighter. “Well, thank you. Highlight of my entire evening. I’ll never forget it.”
Maverick’s eyes darken. “Not if I have anything to say about it. He doesn’t deserve any mental space when you think about tonight. I plan on you having much more pleasurable memories.”
Just like that, everything and everyone around us fades away. Maverick toys with the ends of my hair, his fingers dangerously close to the top of my breast. If I inhale deeply, he’ll graze the bare skin.
It’s as if he figures that out the same moment I do, because his eyes drop to my cleavage for the briefest of seconds before returning to my eyes.
“How long were you with him?” he rasps.
“Just over two years,” I whisper. He lets out a rumbling sound.
“So it’s been over two years since a real man made you come.”
My mouth falls open in shock. Never has a man said something like that to me.
“Tell me I’m right, Specs. I know I am.”
His confidence is warranted. I nod.
He stares at me for another second, before growling, “Fuck it.”
This time when his hand lifts up, it isn't to the back of my neck but the front, cupping my throat gently, holding me possessively as he kisses me again.
And there’s absolutely nothing fake about this kiss.
He keeps it short, chaste, and audience appropriate given where we are. But when my eyes flutter open after his lips leave mine, there’s no mistaking the intent in his eyes.
“Tonight, Specs. When we get home. We’re gonna talk about this thing between us.”
His words are a promise. And despite months of planning and all the hard work I put into this event, I suddenly can’t wait for it all to be over.
Chapter twenty-two
Maverick
