I didn’t mean to go that far tonight. Not this early on, at least. But somewhere between seeing Sadie in that dress and then putting her ex firmly in his place, I lost any self-control. I had to let her know my intentions. And judging by her reaction, I’m not the only one counting down the minutes until we’re home.
It’s no small relief to see her desire mirroring my own when she looks at me with that small smile, or when she tucks herself into my arms. I might not have the first clue what to do with a normal relationship, but at least I know I’m not alone in my attraction, in my feelings.
When we finally get to escape the event, we find ourselves in the town car, riding back to my apartment. I lift her hand to mine, kissing her knuckles. “You were incredible tonight. That was one hell of an event.” I turn her hand over and kiss her wrist. “You look stunning.” Another kiss.
“Maverick,” she murmurs, and I lower her arm to look at her. Lust is mixing with hesitation in her eyes, and I cup her cheek with my free hand.
“What are we doing?”
I give her a wry smirk. “Hopefully, admitting there’s more to this than just an act for the media. Beyond that, it’s up to you, but I have ideas.”
Her sharp intake of breath is coupled with all the hesitation being replaced with wonder. “You…really?”
Staring straight into her deep green eyes, I reply, “Yeah. You’re doing something to me, Specs. Changing everything. Making me want more. Only from you.”
She doesn’t say anything right away, but I’ll wait her out. The car pulls up outside my building, and I kiss her hand one more time before sliding out and walking around to open her door.
I take her hand and start to move toward my apartment, only for Sadie to pull me to a stop.
“You say you want more, but does that mean only tonight, or…”
Ah. Now I see where the hesitation came from. She’s right to ask, I just hope I can answer in a way that won’t end this before it has a chance to start.
“I told you I’ve never been in a relationship. I don’t know how to do that. But with you, I find myself wanting to try.”
It’s as real an answer as I can give, and inside, I squirm at the vulnerability I’ve shown. Sadie still holds the power to hurt me, to hurt my career. Giving in to these feelings could still come back to bite me in the ass. But I can’t seem to stop this runaway train now that it’s picking up steam.
“I want to show you how you deserve to be treated by the man you’re with.” My voice drops lower as I take in her full lips, slightly parted, and her blown pupils. “I know this is crossing a line. I know this is more than we agreed to. But I want you. I want you to let me have you tonight. But if you don’t want that, then just say the word, and I’ll walk away. I’ll go and stay with Colin tonight, and every night, for as long as you need to stay here.”
It’s nearly impossible, but I force myself to take a step back. To let some space come between us. And when I see her suck in a gasp, I know it’s the right call. I’ve overwhelmed her, thrown a curveball straight at her, and now she needs to decide whether she’s going to swing at it or not.
But waiting for her decision is torture.
When she turns and takes a step toward my building, my shoulders sag in disappointment. Until she looks over her shoulder, a coy expression on her face, and reaches a hand back. “You have me, Maverick.”
I take her hand and everything she’s offering me. This time, our kiss is even deeper than the ones at the event. I don’t give a fuck if anyone sees me devour her lips. Let them. Let them see this perfect woman come undone for me.
But when a car honks, Sadie pulls back, her hair mussed from my hands raking through it. Just like I imagined that very first time I saw her in the hospital stairwell. She licks her lips, her cheeks pink. “Let’s go inside,” she murmurs, drawing her fingers down my chest.
The elevator ride up to my floor is interminably slow. But the doors eventually slide open and I drag her down the hall to my apartment. My usually steady hands are shaking as I turn the key and open the door. The second it closes behind us, something comes over Sadie.
I watch her hips sway as she walks over to the couch, stopping to stroke Cat’s back before balancing on one leg and lifting the other.
“Let me,” I say hoarsely, coming to her side. Heat is simmering in her eyes as she nods. I drop to the floor, taking her foot in my hand, drawing my fingers up the soft skin of her ankle. Undoing the strap of her heel, I slowly slide it off before lifting her foot slightly to press a kiss where it meets her shin.
“Maverick,” she whines quietly, and I just smirk against her skin.
Then I move to the other one and do the same. Lifting it reverently, removing her shoe, then kissing the silky-smooth skin.
I’m on my knees in front of her, this goddess deserving my worship. Tilting my head to look up at her, my hands start to roam up her legs, under the hem of the dress that’s been driving me wild all evening. When I reach her thighs, I feel her quiver. Now the wrap hem of her dress comes in handy as I part it slightly to press featherlight kisses to the tops of her knees.
“Oh my God.”
Hands land on my head, fingers gripping my hair. I continue to rain soft kisses all over her legs. Those luscious thighs I’ve spent far too long picturing wrapped around my head, shaking under my touch.
My hands snake farther underneath her dress, dragging up her outer thighs until I meet the curve of her hips. But instead of finding what I’m looking for, I’m met with bare skin.
“Specs,” I rumble low, staring up at her. “Were you bare this whole time?”
