Page 129 of King of Pride

Maverick immediately reacted.

His arm tightened around her waist, pulling her back against him as he murmured sleepily, “Don’t move.”

“Someone’s calling me,” Rose whispered, trying to free herself from his hold. “Give me a minute.”

He opened his eyes, clearly displeased at being disturbed, but the persistent ringing seemed to have finally dragged him out of his sleep as well. After a moment, he reluctantly loosened his arm and let her move.

Rose pushed herself upright and blinked toward the windows. Sunlight was already streaming through the curtains, much brighter than she had expected. She glanced at the clock and frowned when she realized it was already well into the afternoon.

‘How did I sleep this long?’

Her phone was still ringing.

She reached for it and froze when she saw Maria’s name flashing across the screen.

For a few seconds, Rose simply stared at it. She didn't know why Maria was calling, but an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. Finally, she drew in a breath and answered.

“Hello?”

“Oh, Rose, thank God you finally picked up.” Maria sounded exhausted and frightened. “Ivan was in an accident last night. He’s at City Hospital.”

Rose’s expression changed instantly.

“What?”

She sat up straighter, and the movement caught Maverick’s attention. His arm slipped around her waist again as he watched her face, immediately sensing that something was wrong.

Rose glanced at him before putting the call on speaker.

“Mrs. Carrington, is he all right? What happened? Do you need help?”

“He’s stable. The doctors treated the wound on his forehead and moved him to a private room, but…” Maria hesitated, her voice becoming strained. “He hasn’t eaten or drunk anything properly for the past two days. The doctors keep telling him that he needs food and medicine if he wants to recover, but he refuses everything.”

Rose frowned.

“Why would he do that?”

“He keeps asking for you.” Maria sounded close to tears. “He won't listen to anyone else. He keeps saying that he wants to see you. Rose, please. Can you come here and talk to him? Maybe if you ask him to eat, he'll listen.”

Maverick's expression hardened immediately.

His hand reached behind her head and gently tilted her face toward him. The look in his eyes immediately made her anxious. There was a possessiveness burning in his gaze that made her swallow hard.

Her lips had gone dry, and she instinctively ran her tongue over them before answering Maria.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Carrington. I cannot,” she said, clearing her throat before forcing herself to speak in a steadier voice.

Meanwhile, Maverick lowered the hand resting behind her head, only for his other hand to settle against her waist as he leaned closer. His mouth found her neck, his kisses slow and wet.

Rose shifted uneasily, trying to move away from his kisses, but Maverick wouldn't let her escape. His arm tightened around her as his lips continued to move along her neck.

She cleared her throat again, desperately trying to focus on the conversation.

“Mrs. Carrington, I cannot come over there. Please take care of him. I’m glad to hear that he’s fine, but as I said, we have already broken up.”

Maverick suddenly caught the edge of her neckline between his teeth, making her head jerk back. She shot him an irritated glare.

He only met her glare with an amused look before leaning in again and pressing another series of kisses along her neck.