Page 130 of King of Pride

Rose’s breath caught as his mouth traveled along her throat, making her shiver despite herself. She shifted beneath him, trying to create enough distance to keep speaking, but Maverick only tightened his hold on her and continued devouring her neck.

“Please, Rose. I’m really asking you this for the last time,” Maria pleaded through the phone. “I wouldn’t bother you if it weren’t urgent, but he’s refusing to eat anything. He won’t listen to anyone.”

Rose closed her eyes briefly, trying to concentrate on Maria’s words while Maverick’s lips continued moving against her skin.

“Please come and talk to him. Maybe he’ll listen to you. I promise I won’t keep you there long.”

Rose exhaled slowly.

Maria clearly wasn't going to give up.

“All right, Mrs. Carrington. Give me some time,” she finally said. “Please send me the hospital’s name and his room number.”

“Oh, thank you.” Relief immediately softened Maria’s voice. “I’ll text you everything right now.”

The call ended.

A moment later, Rose’s phone chimed with a message containing the hospital address and room number.

She had barely glanced at the screen when Maverick reached over and took the phone from her hand.

“Maverick—”

He tossed it onto the other side of the bed.

Rose stared at him.

He was already leaning over her, his jaw tight and his expression dark. One arm came down beside her, effectively trapping her beneath him as he looked into her eyes.

“You’re really going?”

His voice was quiet, but the displeasure in it was impossible to miss.

Rose raised an eyebrow.

“To see him?”

Maverick’s eyes narrowed.

“I’m not letting you spend the day running around after that bastard.”

He shifted closer, his gaze fixed on hers.

“You’re staying here with me today.”

Rose stared at him for a moment before a slow, mocking smile curved across her lips.

“Are you jealous?”

Maverick’s jaw tightened.

“Take a guess, Mrs. Bishop.”

A small, knowing smile tugged at her lips as she pressed them together to keep from laughing.

“I’m not going,” she promised.

The tension in his face eased slightly, though he still looked suspicious.