Page 81 of You Saw the Best In Me

I breathe in the scent of his body wash, a mix of sea salt and vanilla, and it’s enthralling.

He tangles his hands in my hair, biting my lip occasionally, and maybe he was right – I shouldn’t have been staring.

I let his tongue part my lips, inviting him in, and we seem to be playing a game of who would be the first to break away.

I moan into his mouth, unable to hold back, and in turn, he groans, pulling his lips off mine.

I win.

“Come on, baby girl. I have plans for you after we get home,” he adjusts his jeans, and fuck, I’m starstruck.

“Plans?” I ask, intrigued by what he has in mind.

He doesn’t answer me, though. Letting me wonder what he could have in store for us.

Game recognizes game, and I see the one he’s playing.

I let it rest for now, but I will crack his armor and beat him at his own game.

I take his hand in mine, leading the way out of the apartment and taking a deep breath as we reach the parking lot.

“This is the first time I’ve felt completely safe walking out of the building since I’ve lived here,” I say, turning to him with a smile on my face.

He squeezes my hand and tells me how proud he is.

We spend the drive talking about our day, and it’s refreshing to have things to flow the conversation besides our fucked up past.

I fill him in on the new girl I’m considering asking for drinks at the salon, and he tells me that Hunter and Adam guessed we were hooking up.

We laugh at that, and I know Jules will be happy with Adam for bringing home gossip.

We park at the police station, and I don’t feel as painstakingly anxious as I did the last time we were here.

I needed Maverick’s support to make it through, but I believe my own strength will guide me this time.

He’s on this journey with me, and I couldn’t be happier with the man standing beside me again today.

Sometime after we check in with the desk sergeant, the moment has arrived.

I’m called back to a dark room, separated by a pane of glass, and I’m about to put a name to my abuser’s face.

He can’t see me, of course, but I can see him, and that’s empowering. I’m not the scared girl under his microscope anymore.

He’s at the mercy of mine, and with Maverick’s hand on the small of my back, I confidently tell the detective which number Asher is holding.

“Number four. It’s number four,” I whisper, barely hearing myself with how loud my ears are ringing.

When the detective knocks on the glass, I know it’s finally over, and I want to cry, but not here.

I shake it off and stretch my fingers, trying to ground the anxiety attempting to break through to the surface.

Maverick notices and takes my hands, kissing them both before interlocking our fingers.

We thank everyone involved and are assured that we’ll receive updates on his case, but for now, he’s locked up behind bars without a shot of getting out.

I’m free. I’m safe.

I can’t stop the smile that’s spread across my face. I’m thrilled I followed through with this and am getting the justice I deserve.