Page 14 of King of Pride

Rose was swaying on top of the couch, a beer bottle held loosely to her mouth as she sang loudly.

“So my love is gone… I don’t want you anymore, don’t come back…”

She sang the song loudly before stumbling into another line.

Maverick’s expression darkened.

Rose, still completely oblivious to his presence, continued singing. Her feet shifted beneath her, her balance becoming increasingly unsteady.

Then she started to fall.

Maverick immediately lunged forward and grabbed her around the waist, catching her before she could hit the floor.

Rose’s eyes flew open.

Her gaze fell on him.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other.

Then Rose smiled.

Both of her arms immediately lifted, wrapping around Maverick’s neck as she leaned closer. Before he could even catch his breath, she tilted her head and pressed her mouth against his.

Their lips touched.

Maverick’s entire body went rigid, every muscle tensing beneath the sudden contact.

Rose moved against him without hesitation, while Maverick remained completely still, his hands still firm around her waist.

He stared at her as she kissed him.

Then Rose pulled back.

She blinked slowly, her unfocused eyes searching his face as a small smile appeared on her lips. She lifted her hand and waved it vaguely in front of him.

“Do you want to sleep with me?” she asked.

A displeased frown immediately appeared on Maverick’s face.

He reached over, took the bottle from her hand, and placed it on the table behind them.

Rose didn’t seem to mind.

Instead, she immediately slid her arms tighter around him, pressing herself closer to his body. She tilted her head back and looked at his face, her drunken gaze slowly roaming over his features.

“Hmmm…” Her brows furrowed as she studied him. “You look so familiar. Have I seen you before? Rena said she was going to send Josh, but you don’t look like a Josh.”

Maverick’s expression became stern as a rock. His face darkened, the seriousness in his eyes becoming even more pronounced.

Rose immediately noticed his expression and frowned slightly.

“I want to kiss you more, though.” Her words came out in a drunken mumble. “It’s a good thing that you are not Josh. You are definitely better looking.”

Before he could react, Rose leaned forward and kissed him again.

This time, Maverick put his hand to the back of her head as he took control, his mouth moving over hers as their lips moved together. His other arm slipped down from her waist to her legs, and he lifted her off the couch.

Rose instinctively wrapped herself around him as he turned around, carrying her in his arms. He held her securely by the hips to keep her lifted while his mouth continued moving over hers.