Page 52 of King of Pride

Maverick noticed her agreement with Zoe, and his expression darkened.

Without taking his eyes off Rose, he reached out and slid an arm around her waist, pulling her firmly against his side.

“It was a mistake, Mrs. Bishop?” he asked, one eyebrow raising.

His displeased gaze remained fixed on her as he leaned closer to her neck.

“Then let me remind you just how serious a mistake you made.”

The moment he lowered his head toward her neck, memories of the previous night and that morning rushed through Rose’s mind. She immediately raised a hand to cover her neck, instinctively trying to protect herself from him.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” she blurted out quickly. “I was just joking. We’re best friends!”

Maverick didn’t look convinced, but he eventually pulled back. His expression remained stern as his eyes searched hers, the intensity of his gaze making Rose stiffen despite herself.

She tried to hold his stare, but the longer he looked at her, the more nervous she became.

Just then, his phone began ringing on the table.

Zoe quietly exhaled in relief. The interruption had come at exactly the right moment.

Maverick reached for his phone, glanced at the screen, and answered.

“Leo?”

Rose had seen Maverick with his personal secretary, Leo, many times over the years, so she immediately recognized the voice that came through the phone.

“Mr. Bishop, your private jet is ready, and I’ve arranged everything for your three-day business trip. The car is waiting outside to take you to the airport.”

Rose and Zoe exchanged a brief glance.

Maverick ended the call and slipped his phone back into his pocket. When he turned back to Rose, his expression had already settled into its usual coldness.

“I need to leave the city for three days for work,” he told her. “It’s short notice, but I’ll be back soon. I’ve also arranged for your things to be brought here as soon as possible.”

Rose’s face immediately brightened.

The thought of having the man who had been driving her crazy, making her heart race, and pushing her to the brink of insanity out of the house for three whole days filled her with an almost overwhelming sense of relief.

She nodded eagerly.

“Then you should leave quickly so you can catch your flight. You shouldn’t be late. Whatever you have to do must be important.”

Her voice was far too enthusiastic.

Maverick’s eyes narrowed.

“You want to see me gone?”

One eyebrow lifted, and a threatening edge returned to his expression. He looked almost as though he were daring her to say yes—just so he could decide to stay and spend the next three days at home with her instead.

Rose’s confidence vanished.

“No!” she said quickly, her voice suddenly awkward. “That’s not what I meant.”

Maverick continued staring at her.

“I just meant…” She stumbled over her words before forcing a small smile. “You shouldn’t delay anything important. That’s all. If you leave early, you’ll come back early.”