“That’s perfect. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks for the call.” He hung up and spoke briefly with the other journalist.
At the close of the workday, Maverick and his team drove the Qualitation execs back to the building. Yellow police tape cordoned off the area. The remnants of the car lay scattered in the courtyard, on the grass, and in the parking lot. One of the giant windowpanes had fallen out and shattered glass lay strewn on the cement. Numerous law enforcement officers clustered in small groups.
Maverick spoke with the officer in charge. After explaining that these employees needed access inside to retrieve their personal belongings, they were assigned two officers.
“I’m here if you need me,” Maverick said to Ella. “I’m sorry today didn’t go as planned.”
“Months ago, I debated whether we even needed protection. I hate to think of how today would have played out without you and your crew. Thank you.” Ella and her team were escorted into the building.
Maverick shook each of his teammates’ hands. “We did one hell of a job today. How’s everyone doing?”
Each affirmed they were okay.
“Come to me with any concerns. Understood?”
“Thanks for listening this morning,” Penelope said.
He tossed her a nod. “Always.”
Gunner’s lips curved. “Today is the last time I fix your dislocated shoulder. I’m a sniper, not a medic.”
“But you do both so well,” Penelope said with a smile.
“You do it next time,” Gunner said to her.
“I hope there is no ‘next time’,” Maverick replied. “Drop the vehicles before heading home.” They caravanned back to the office, left the SUVs, and rolled out.
Maverick slogged home in heavy rush hour traffic. As he pulled into his parking spot at the marina, Carly got out of her car. A jolt of energy shot through him. She was the perfect ending to a very stressful day.
Carrying two grocery bags, she had the sweetest smile on her beautiful face. One glance at those tight jeans and peasant top and he grinned like he’d won the fucking lottery. She’s the total package.
“I knew you’d be hurting, so I brought you a steak. Two, actually. I’m hungry.”
He took the bags, threw his good arm around her shoulder, and kissed the top of her head. “You are a perfect person. Perfect. I’m starving, cranky as hell, and my leg—”
“Yeah, I figured. You’re a stubborn pigheaded man, you know that?”
He chuffed out a laugh and they ambled down the pier to his yacht.
Once onboard, she said, “Why don’t you take a long, hot shower and I’ll make us dinner?”
He wanted to throw his arms around her and kiss her gorgeous face, then invite her to join him, but even he knew when to throttle back. Instead, he said, “Thank you, ma’am,” and headed downstairs.
Feeling refreshed after his shower, he threw on a T-shirt and shorts, and entered the galley. Carly nurtured his tormented soul simply by being there.
She extracted three giant baked potatoes from the microwave and shoved them in the oven to crisp before checking on the steaks, also in the oven. She’d tossed a salad and had poured them each a glass of sparkling water, but he popped open a bottle of beer and guzzled half down.
When they sat down to eat, she didn’t ask him how his day went because she knew he didn’t want to relive it. She understood his need for silence. He’d run on energy, then shifted to adrenaline. Now, he was depleted and needed to recharge.
Beyond his complimenting her on the delicious dinner and on how pretty she looked, he stayed silent. They shared a laugh when they reached for the same potato. He stroked her finger and she smiled in return.
If this wasn’t love, he had no idea—absolutely no idea—what was. But that was the last thing he would bring up. After freezing him out for the past few days, she was there now. And he was so damn happy to see her.
When they finished eating, he collected her hands in his. “Thank you.” The longer he stared into her eyes, the more alive he felt. A faint blush covered her cheeks. He wanted to kiss her, pull her into his arms, into his bed, and make love to her for hours, but reality smacked down the delicious fantasy when she tugged her hands away.
“I’m going to leave you to clean up.” She pulled a gallon of mint chip ice cream from the freezer. “I bought you a treat.”
