Page 70 of You Saw the Best In Me

“I told you. You should stop challenging me. I win every time,” he elbows me in the ribs playfully, his macho ego on full display.

I turn on our game show, cheering on the contestants while we slip into food comas. Maverick rests his head on my lap, and I run my hands through his hair.

We’re at peace when we lie in bed together, snuggled up in our little corner of the world.

I wake to the sunlight creeping through the blinds a few minutes before my alarm is supposed to go off, and I smile at Maverick, who’s lightly snoring.

I’m tucked under his arm and try to slip out of his grip without waking him up, but he’s the lightest sleeper.

“Running away, kitten?” he mumbles, still half asleep.

“No, Angel. I’ll be in the shower,” I whisper, kissing him on the cheek before sliding out of bed.

I turned the shower as hot as possible, letting the water shrink all my doubts about today.

I’m fucking strong, and I refuse to let Asher win this war for one more second. I will stand tall at work, deflect the questions, and keep my head on straight.

I can’t show any weaknesses.

There’s a light knock on the door, and I tell Maverick to come in.

“What can I make you for breakfast?” he asks, keeping his eyes off me.

“You can look, Mav. You’ve seen it already,” I tease, and he stammers, trying to find the right words.

“I’m trying to be respectful,” he scoffs, rolling his eyes.

“Coffee will be fine, thank you!” I chirp, and he pokes his head through the curtain, looking me up and down.

“Fucking perfect. See, this is why I didn’t want to sneak any peeks,” he growls, motioning toward his tented boxers.

“If I didn’t have to work, I’d drag you in here with me, kicking and screaming,” I turn around, letting him see me from behind.

I take every chance I get to drive Maverick crazy, especially when it comes to being a tease.

The way he gets flustered is so cute, and he makes me feel beautiful when he loses his calm, collected demeanor.

The dynamic between us is complicated with the skeletons in our closets, but we find a way to push the bones aside and let our true selves shine.

“Coffee it is,” he says, reaching into the shower to slap my ass.

“Hey!” I shout, sticking my tongue out at him.

I hear the door close behind him, and I finish washing my hair, the hot water almost running out.

I wear jeans and a black t-shirt, one of Maverick’s that perfectly fits my curves, and do my makeup lightly.

Mascara, eyeshadow, and lip gloss should be enough for clients and Grams later today. I have some severe ass-kissing to do with the ladies at the salon, so if I look my best, I’ll feel my best.

“You look radiant, kitten,” Maverick slides his arms around my waist, kissing my collarbone.

He never misses the chance to compliment me, and I can’t get enough of him. I realize I might miss him today, something I can’t say I’ve ever felt for another man before.

We’ve spent these last few days glued at the hip, barely spending more than five minutes apart, and at this point, I feel so connected to him that I’ll carry a piece of him wherever I go.

“I should get moving. I can’t be late,” I say, pouring cream and sugar into the coffee mug Mav prepared.

“That is a ridiculous amount of cream, Karina,” he points out, and I shake my head.