Because I’d do it a hell of a lot better than those two cads.
Now that he’d gotten a taste, he was hungry for a bite. A big bite.
Determination shone from her eyes. She wouldn’t leave until she’d massaged his damn leg. He had every confidence she’d stick with his leg and not stroke what he really needed.
“Rub away.” He rested his head on his folded arms. She ran her hands up and down the back of his thigh before homing in on his knotted muscles.
“Is this the spot?” she asked.
“One of many. Feels great.”
As she worked his taut muscles, he heated from her rhythmic caresses. Losing himself in her would be the perfect escape. He’d carry her into his stateroom and peel off her clothing. He’d dote on every inch of her heavenly body until the ecstasy had her screaming his name. Then, he’d slide inside and forget about the shit storms that had wreaked havoc with his life over the past several weeks.
As much as he needed the release, he wanted to pleasure her. Watch her unravel around him. Discover all the things about her that he’d only imagined. Marry fantasy with reality.
“Gunner mentioned Enrique’s death was the second,” she said. “Who else passed away?”
He winced while she worked on the cramped knot. “I think you met—whoa, that hurts—Dominic Delriccio. One of my SEAL buddies.”
“I met him a few years ago. Doesn’t he live in New Jersey?”
“He did. He was killed a few weeks ago in a convenience store robbery.”
She stopped rubbing. “I’m sorry. And now Enrique, too?”
He rolled over and propped up on his elbows. “If he’d told me he was suffering, I could have helped him.” Maverick shook his head. “I fucking hate death.”
“I know you do.”
They grew silent while Carly continued rubbing his thigh. While the massage helped, her stimulating touch distracted him. He started to harden and flipped back onto his stomach.
“When this three-ring circus of a hearing ends tomorrow, I’m heading to Virginia Beach. Pay my respects. Maybe someone can help me understand what went wrong.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“I’ve got this.”
“No, you don’t. You just said you feel responsible. How could you have prevented it if you didn’t even know the circumstances?”
The deaths of his friends had ripped open a wound that had never fully healed. Grief and loss had crippled his family when his mom had been killed. His dad had lost his way and Maverick had stepped up for his younger siblings, but he, too, was spiraling into the depths of depression. Carly had been his rock. Though he’d tried pushing her away, her unwavering friendship had been his one saving grace.
The atmosphere grew thick with unresolved tension. He wanted to pull her onto him, envelop her in his arms, and forget. But he wasn’t going to drag her into his mental drama. Better to go it alone this time.
Craning his neck, his eyes met hers. “Carly, thanks for the beer and the massage.”
Rather than take the hint and head out, she massaged harder, though, this time she shot him the death stare. He’d seen that look dozens of times. She was like an angry dog, tied up in the sweltering heat without a bowl of water in sight. You get too close, that damn mutt will rip your leg off.
“I’ve got a late morning appointment,” she said. “Text me when the hearing ends. I’m going with you.” She gave him an affectionate squeeze. “I’ll be your buddy. Remember what Mr. Nesbaum used to say before our field trips?”
Maverick cracked a smile. Nesbaum was their second grade teacher. “Stay alert and hold your buddy’s hand.” He recited it like it was yesterday.
She smiled at the memory. Every damn chance they got, they’d been each other’s buddies. And she’d never once pulled away when he’d taken her hand. Because Mr. Nesbaum said that buddies must hold each other’s hands. So they did.
Maverick didn’t have the energy to argue. In truth, he wanted her by his side. This time, he needed her, though there was no way in hell he’d admit that.
She patted his leg and stood. “I’ll send you my bill.”
He pushed off the sofa. Though his leg still burned, her massage had helped. Her loving touch always worked. “Thanks for taking such good care of me.”
